Inspiration: Joyce Carol Oats on Writing Characters

In this snippet of a video taken during Joyce Carol Oats' visit to Book Passages, a lovely bookstore in Northern California, where she talked about THE GRAVEDIGGER'S DAUGHTER, she also talked about how important it is for a writer to listen to the characters and allow them to speak for themselves.

Why?

"If you're a writer and you allow your people to talk," she says, "they will express themselves in a way that the author herself might not have thought of."

But there's more good stuff here, too. Check it out...

BACKSTORY: The story behind WARRIOR, by Zoe Archer

With her debut novel, the historical romance LADY X’S COWBOY, Zoë Archer quickly earned raves for her powerful storytelling and compelling characters. Publishers Weekly called the 2006 release a “fast-paced, lighthearted romp” that “both tickles and thrills,” and it won the OCC/RWA’s Book Buyers Best Award.
Archer, who graduated from the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, followed that book’s success with the historical romance LOVE IN A BOTTLE; a historical novel, EARLY BRIGHT, which she wrote as Ami Silber; and a novella, HALF PAST DEAD.
She launches her new BLADES OF THE ROSE series tomorrow (Sept. 7) with WARRIOR, a historical romance that RT Book Reviews calls “part Indiana Jones, part The Mummy,” and a “pure passionate pleasure.”
She lives in Los Angeles with her husband.

What was the inspiration for this novel?

One of my favorite film genres has always been high adventure: far-flung locations, characters having exciting adventures, lots of action, as well as a sizzling chemistry between the hero and heroine. There didn’t seem to be much of that in romance novels, at least, not the way I imagined. When it came time to think up a new series, I decided to write the kind of books I’ve wanted to read. It was, admittedly, a big risk, especially because the first book in the BLADES OF THE ROSE series is set in Mongolia. Historical romances just aren’t set in Mongolia, or so many editors said. One brave editor fell in love with the story and writing, and she took a chance. And so, WARRIOR and the rest of the BLADES series were born.

What was your writing process?

I plot the heck out of my stuff. That isn’t to say that I must stick to my outline at all costs. It’s not uncommon for me to reach a point in the story and discover that something needs to be changed, or I’m just not feeling a certain beat, at which point, I do deviate from the outline. But I absolutely do not start writing without a detailed outline, complemented by a considerable amount of research. If I didn’t plot, my characters would just wander around with glazed looks in their eyes.

How much time do you spend writing each week?

I’m extremely fortunate in that I write full time, so I’d say I put in a full work week—sometimes even more, if I’m nearing the end of a book.

How do you get yourself in a writing frame of mind?

I’m always in a writing frame of mind! But I do like to have music when I’m writing. And, in case you’re wondering, I listen to a lot of movie soundtracks and stuff from the ‘80s. The ‘80s stuff gets me back into my youthful, daydreaming self, the kind who wrote adventure stories starring me and sundry members of Duran Duran. Yep—I wrote fan fiction long before I even knew there was such a thing as fan fiction. We didn’t even have the Internet back then, kids. Crazy, right?

What was the best advice you’ve received about writing?

Sit down and do it.

What is something you know now about writing or publishing in general that you wish you had known when you started?

Be prepared for setbacks and deviations from your plans. It’s not all smooth sailing, even after your first sale. And don’t give up. Write because you love to write, not for the promise of money or accolades, because those might not come, or, if they do, not for a long, long time.

How do you overcome writer’s block, or any rough patch as you’re working on a story?

Usually, I talk with my critique partner (aka my husband). He’s also a writer, and a font of ideas. If something’s giving me trouble, we go on long walks or hikes and talk about the story.

Do you work with a critique group?

Again, my critique group is my husband. He and I spend time hashing out the plot, I write a detailed outline, get his notes, then start writing. He gives me notes every three chapters, then he reads the whole manuscript, more notes, revision, then on to my agent for her notes, another rewrite based on those notes, and then, finally, to my editor. My editor says my manuscripts are very clean. They should be, considering how much work and revision goes into them!

When your creative batteries run low, do you have any tricks or techniques for jump-starting them and staying motivated?

I try to read things that aren’t romance so I get a broader vision of the world. But, honestly, there are always more ideas percolating in my head, so this doesn’t happen very often.

What are 5 of your favorite novels?

LOLITA, Vladimir Nabokov
THE TIN DRUM, Gunter Grass
THE ENGLISH PATIENT, Michael Ondaatje
JANE EYRE, Charlotte Bronte
PERSUASION, Jane Austen

What is your favorite book on the craft of writing?

I don’t read them! I went to a schmancy MFA program, but I discovered that the best way for me to learn about writing was to sit myself down and do it.

What books are currently on your to-be-read list?

Non-romance titles: TINKERS, Paul Harding (he and I were at the MFA program at the same time)
A GATE AT THE STAIRS, Lorrie Moore
UNACCUSTOMED EARTH, Jhumpa Lahiri.

Romance titles: WICKED BECOMES YOU, Meredith Duran
TWICE TEMPTED BY A ROGUE, Tessa Dare
THE FORBIDDEN ROSE, Joanna Bourne
THE TREASURE KEEPER, Shana Abe

For more about Zoë Archer and her books, visit http://www.zoearcherbooks.com/.