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Group Interview with Diane Chamberlain
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message 51:
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Jennifer
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Aug 27, 2009 04:41PM
beat me to it!! :)
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Does the editor generally have you make story line changes, grammar, character revisions, vocabulary changes, shortening, lengthening or what?
Interesting, Wes. Just goes to show, different strokes for different folks! If there's one thing a writer learns fast, that's it. LOL. I read it on my Kindle, and I always wonder if that makes a difference in the experience.
Jennifer, thank you! The book I'm just starting does have a DNA test in it, although not related to any crime. I bet it's very interesting work!
It takes about 10 months from when I turn a book in to when it's published.
I need to go make dinner now but this has been an awesome experience--almost like a personal conversation with one of my fave authors! Thank you so much Diane for taking time to share with us. I will read the post later!
Inspiration for The Courage Tree: this is very weird, but it was inspired by the movie, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance! You'd never know it, though. The seedling of the idea from that movie that inspired the book was two men in love with the same woman, and one making a sacrifice for the other.
My background as a therapist: It really helps me understand what makes people tick. More than that though, being a therapist taught me how strong people can be when facing tough times.
Gail, the contract states how long the book should be. (100K words). The editor okays a long outline ahead of time, but the story always changes as I write it. When the editor sees the final product, she will ask for global changes: stronger character motivation, for example, or more of an attraction between characters, etc. Then I turn in the book and she will do a line-edit, more of a fine tuning. Finally there is a proof reader.
Growing up in NJ: Plainfield only made its way into one of my books, but Point Pleasant, NJ, where my family had a summer home really inspired The Bay at Midnight. I missed that old summer house, and knew the only way I could "have it back" was to set a book in it, so that's what I did.
Mod
The best advice with regard to writing: get away from the computer from time to time to get out and live and feed the creative well!
Yes, Wes. When I'm thinking of a new book idea, I often wander through the library and see what books jump out at me. I have a reissue coming out in November called Breaking the Silence about the CIA Mind Control experiments in the 50s, and that was inspired by a book a stumbled across in the library.
Thanks, Gail. It was close to my heart.
I need to grade some papers, but it has been an honor to "meet" you, Diane. Jennifer and I were talking on the phone while "chatting"(J in Houston and me in FL)and we are both really excited to have met you.She introduced me to your bks. because we both read Picoult ans she knew I would like you too. Can't wait for the new book. Thank you for your generosity in taking time to meet us here.
Christina's question about favorite characters: I have several favorites. I really like Maggie in Breaking the Storm and Secrets She left Behind. I also love her therapist, Dr. Jakes (the answer to the contest question on my website right now, if you want to try to win!). I love the young CeeCee Wilkes. I loved Julie in The Bay at Midnight. I love Lucas in The Courage Tree. I could go on!
Good luck with those papers, Gail. Thanks for stopping by. And thanks for being a teacher!!!!
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Christina's question about inspiration for character development: I usually simply think about the situation in the story and what type of person would be most challenged by that situation, since that will create the most tension in the book. Then I begin thinking about that character's past, why she is the way she is, and I keep her personality in mind as she reacts and acts on what's going on around her.
A hard question, Wes. In thinking about my recent books, I'd have to say Keith in Secrets She Left Behind was very difficult. He's 17, suffering from disfiguring burns, and furious at the world. He's VERY unlike me, so I had to work to put myself in his shoes. I was very happy with how he turned out, though.
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Once your first book was written, or at least the idea was developed, did it take you a long time to find a publisher who was interested and wanted to publish it?
Welcome, Barbara. I finished my first book in 1994 or 95. It took me 6 months to find an agent (it takes much longer, generally, today). She submitted to publishers for a year of rejections, at which time I completely revamped the story. It was much too long and unfocused. Once I fixed it, it sold right away.
Hi,Diane. Thanks for answering my question. It certainly sounds like you believed in yourself and were willing to put in lots of hard work to get started. I hope it then become much easier once your name and reputation as a writer were established.
It's never really easy. Always a scary business, because you never know if a new contract will be coming your way. I've been very lucky!
Wes, and everyone, I'm taking off now. It was delightful getting to meet some of you, and I love that this discussion will be available to readers in the future. Thanks for having me!
But thank you, Wes, for posting my questions. I tried really hard to make it it too.Diane, if you read this, THANK YOU for answering my questions. I hope someday to have the pleasure of meeting you. Thank you again!
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she answered most of your questions Christina
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Thank you so much for coming Diane and for being the first author visit.
Hello Untold pleasure where we met
Great creative: Diane Chamberlain
We wish her great success and always work to be translated to several languages
I welcome to translate of here artistic work spectacular, to the language of the Arab
thanks a lot again for this lovely chance
best regards from Salaam
Mod
Untold pleasure where we met
Great creative: Diane Chamberlain
We wish her great success and always work to be translated to several languages
I welcome to translate of here art..."
Diane wrote: "Wes, and everyone, I'm taking off now. It was delightful getting to meet some of you, and I love that this discussion will be available to readers in the future. Thanks for having me!"
Wes -- I would like to really THANK YOU for doing such a superb job arranging this. I really enjoyed it, even though I didn't make it, but thanks to Goodreads, I was able to review all the questions and answers. There were some great questions asked and Diane was most gracious at answering them.Hats off to you, Wes!
Christina
Mod
Thanks And I will continue to try and find new things for this group. :)
