Ask the Author: Allegra Jordan
Answered Questions (5)
Allegra Jordan
Sometimes it's hard to get into the "channel" you need to be in to work. I notice how my dog turns around and around and around before he lies down on the couch. I do my version of this - I clean, I garden, I exercise, I answer e-mail and then, I go get my cup of strong coffee and write!
Allegra Jordan
I love the rewrites! That means you have done a lot of work and now can make the art better!
Allegra Jordan
My novel on World War I came from hearing a sermon at Harvard's Memorial Church about how the community was riven with faction after some of its members fought for the Kaiser in World War I. I found the resolution hopeful for our very broken, very factionalized world. I wanted other people to hear the story in ways that were entertaining and informative.
Allegra Jordan
Write it all out. Write hundreds of pages. That's how you learn what the story is about. Then go to a writers' group and learn how other people receive your art. Don't be defensive - unless they're being jerks they are giving you valuable information and doing you the honor of sitting with your work. Take what you can take so you can make the work the best it can be. I go to a writers' group once a week 10 months out of the year. It makes my writing much better.
Allegra Jordan
I'm working on a comedy about French Cheese and SEC football, circa 1979. It's a great deal of fun! And I've gained about 10 pounds writing, then lost it, and another 10 pounds in the re-writes because I want my readers to have accurate cheese information! The manuscript is now with my agent who is shopping it. Fingers crossed!
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