Melissa Anne
asked
Elizabeth Gilbert:
Going through a similar journey in my life a few years ago, I have been trying to put pen to paper and I'm having a hard time not jumping around a lot in my writing. Did you jump around a lot while writing "Eat, Pray, Love" or did it come out fluid?
Elizabeth Gilbert
Dear One — Who are you writing your book TO? Do you have an imaginary reader? A single person? If not, then you are probably lost in the narrative. I never begin writing a book unless I know exactly whom I am speaking TO. Each one of my books was written to a different person in my life — and I write the book as though I am telling that person a story. So choose someone. Someone you love, ideally. Then sit down and tell the story to that person.
More Answered Questions
Lin
asked
Elizabeth Gilbert:
The John Bartram family is so important in Philadelphia and in horticultural history. I wonder why you did not ever refer to it. Was it to focus on the tension/competition with Kew or to simplify the set of Philadelphia characters? Did you draw from the Bartram family story in creating your characters? As a fervent gardener located near Philadelphia, I loved your book and its wonderful hortictural detail.
Patti
asked
Elizabeth Gilbert:
I am reading Alice Hoffman's The Museum of Extraordinary Things and am so impressed with how beautifully you both articulate nature and art. There is such an imagery when she is describing photography, and in your character Alma when describing something so seemingly mundane (to many) as mosses. Where did your inspiration for Alma come from? One of my favorite characters in years!
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