Taeler Kallmerten
asked
Jennifer Egan:
This book jumps around in time, in characters, and in story. How did your head not get jumbled with this many character POVs? Did you focus on one at a time or did you bounce around?
Jennifer Egan
Hi Taeler, thanks for the question. I worked very much on one at a time--in fact when I was working in one point of view, I would almost forget that the others existed. Only in the last phase of the process did I put all of it together and concentrate hard on the flow of the larger story the chapters were telling. The one way in which I needed to ground myself was in characters' birthdates and ages. But other than that, I really just let the process work organically. I cut about fifty percent of what I originally wrote, which speaks to the fact that there are a lot of "wrong" moves when I work in this way, but hopefully enough good ones to make a book. Thanks so much for reading, and all best, Jenny
More Answered Questions
webslog
asked
Jennifer Egan:
I'm immediately struck by how firmly you nail telling details about the places in which the two novels are set, and the ephemera ... Eddie's running down the list of card games he knows how to play, or Anna's collecting Raleigh coupons. Was this a product of deep research specifically related to the book? (novelturgy?) Or were you starting from a built-on love and acquired knowledge of the period. Thanks!
Angela
asked
Jennifer Egan:
Hi Jennifer, looking forward to reading Manhattan Beach! I'm a debut writer currently dividing my MS into 2 - 3 novels. I'm re-writing in the Romantic Suspense genre. The feedback I received from a professional editor was that she couldn't connect with the main character. How do you develop your characters to make them resonate with readers? Thanks so much! Angela
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