Ask the Author: Abbey Carpenter
Answered Questions (7)
Abbey Carpenter
I pay attention to the world. I'm curious and walk about looking at things, at people. When people do things I don't understand, I try to imagine what motivated them to do that. I'm curious about their backstory, about what led them to act a certain way. Along with giving me material to write about, I believe this has made me a more compassionate person. What a fabulous side effect!
I have a strong love for the environment and humans who are underdogs or who have had a hard go at life. I like to write stories that bring these issues and folks to life for other readers who might not have the same concerns. I'm inspired to write to advocate for others by telling their stories. Along the way, I always learn things about myself which in turn is reflected in deeper, better writing.
I have a strong love for the environment and humans who are underdogs or who have had a hard go at life. I like to write stories that bring these issues and folks to life for other readers who might not have the same concerns. I'm inspired to write to advocate for others by telling their stories. Along the way, I always learn things about myself which in turn is reflected in deeper, better writing.
Abbey Carpenter
I've finished a big messy first draft of a story of a woman in the 1960s who leaves her husband and three children to go live with her lover. The novel goes in both directions - forward to see how she made peace with the guilt she experiences and backward to what let to such a radical decision.
Abbey Carpenter
I would suggest to set a time to write and try to stick to it. Even if it's only three mornings a week, just be regular. This is how I we can make an agreement with our muses. You agree to show up three mornings a week, and you do, whether brilliant writing comes or not. Once the muse sees you there, ready and willing, she will start to join you there.
Also, be curious about the world, about people. Walk around, look at buildings, plants, people... Take note of the minuscule and magnificent. Take it all in and be amazed by it all. Then bring this to your writing; bring your curiosity and attention and write about it. Once you get going, things will open and develop. Ideas will morph and change and stories will emerge.
I'll add that walking outside helps me when I'm stuck on a plot point or need more backstory about a character. Anything rhythmical like knitting or ironing or gardening or walking or... Our bodies can help us as writers.
Also, be curious about the world, about people. Walk around, look at buildings, plants, people... Take note of the minuscule and magnificent. Take it all in and be amazed by it all. Then bring this to your writing; bring your curiosity and attention and write about it. Once you get going, things will open and develop. Ideas will morph and change and stories will emerge.
I'll add that walking outside helps me when I'm stuck on a plot point or need more backstory about a character. Anything rhythmical like knitting or ironing or gardening or walking or... Our bodies can help us as writers.
Abbey Carpenter
"All I hope to say in books, all I ever hope to say, is that I love the world." E.B. White. Like Mr. White, I love the world and try to relay this through my stories. I love the environment and birds and humans. Through writing, I get the chance to try to relay the wonder and mystery of the world to readers. It's a daunting challenge, but I relish trying.
Also, as an introvert, I get the opportunity to relive experiences differently by re-living the event through writing. I often can't think of what to say or do in the immediacy of a situation, but afterwards I can write it differently making my protagonist witty, insightful, wise. Or I can build upon that uncomfortable feeling of not knowing what to say in the moment. The world is wide open to me as a writer. I get to make stuff up! I get to re-write my past. I get to create worlds. Pretty heady stuff!
Also, as an introvert, I get the opportunity to relive experiences differently by re-living the event through writing. I often can't think of what to say or do in the immediacy of a situation, but afterwards I can write it differently making my protagonist witty, insightful, wise. Or I can build upon that uncomfortable feeling of not knowing what to say in the moment. The world is wide open to me as a writer. I get to make stuff up! I get to re-write my past. I get to create worlds. Pretty heady stuff!
Abbey Carpenter
I like to write character sketches of people I see. I try to remember as much as I can, then I head home and type away. Once I get started, that often opens things up for me, gets the energy flowing. Then I can segue over to the project I've been writing on. Other times I do the same thing with "scenes" that happen in my daily life. I go home and try to capture what happened. Then that often morphs into what I would have liked to have happened, or what might happen next, or what the backstory was that created that event. Once I'm rolling, I'm good to go. Also, I remind myself that I can edit a crappy draft, but if nothing is on the page, I have no where to go. So get something down, sweetie!
Abbey Carpenter
I would travel to New York City and hang out with the Dortmunder gang from Donald Westlake's excellent series.
Abbey Carpenter
I was a volunteer teacher of English as a Second Language for about seven years. My students were from Mexico, Guatemala, Romania, Vietnam, Colombia...and drew me into their lives, rich with family and traditions from their homelands. I wrote to give voice to their stories and to relay the humor and joy that emerge when different cultures join together.
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