Ask the Author: Anne H. Putnam
Answered Questions (5)
Anne H. Putnam
Well, I just finished the first draft of my second book, and I'm gearing up to revise it (brutally), so my current priorities are memoirs or novels that deal with similar subject matter (trauma, however great or small) in a way I admire (usually that means 'with restraint,' but there are exceptions. The more I read, the better I write – although I will say sometimes I have to set a book aside because it hurts to face writing that's so much better than mine will ever be, as has been the case rereading An Exact Replica of a Figment of My Imagination, by Elizabeth McKracken.
Once I finish a couple rounds of revision I suspect I will be pretty burned out, which usually means taking solace in plot-driven fiction. I'm looking forward to that!
Once I finish a couple rounds of revision I suspect I will be pretty burned out, which usually means taking solace in plot-driven fiction. I'm looking forward to that!
Anne H. Putnam
This is probably an extremely common answer, but...oh well. Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy. I like that they're true equals, each of whom thinks the other outshines him- or herself in some way. They respect each other, and love each other for qualities that go beyond the superficial (although Darcy's estate certainly didn't hurt his cause, and neither did Lizzy's 'fine eyes'). Theirs is a surprisingly modern and egalitarian relationship for any time, especially Austen's.
Anne H. Putnam
My ideas come from life (so far); this latest book was inspired, much like the last one, by confusion and pain. I spent so much of my time and energy sifting through my feelings and trying to figure out exactly how I'd wound up in such a miserable state (and, of course, how to begin to move out of it) that it seemed inevitable that I would write about it – writing is one of the most effective ways that I know of to understand trauma. I can only hope that of all the words pouring out of me in the pursuit of healing, some of them come together in the form of a clear and interesting narrative that might help someone else in a similar situation.
Anne H. Putnam
To me, the best thing about being a writer is the ability to get lost in my own mind in a way that simultaneously allows me to ignore the voice in my head. Sometimes the best way to get myself to stop thinking about something and stressing myself is to start writing about it – I go into a sort of trance where I'm not thinking, really, more transferring what's in my brain directly to the page, and in the process I feel free of the emotions around the subject. For a while. Of course, once I stop the frantic typing (usually because I just can't wait any longer to get up and go pee!), the emotions all catch up with me, which can be like getting hit by a truck, but at least by then I have some coherent writing to refer to when I need to sort out my thoughts.
Plus, it's a huge rush getting on a super-focused roll. The adrenaline is brilliant.
Plus, it's a huge rush getting on a super-focused roll. The adrenaline is brilliant.
Anne H. Putnam
Honestly, the only way I ever get over writer's block is to write – I sit down at my computer and start typing, with zero concern for exactly what I'm writing about. I allow myself to describe the paint peeling off the wall in front of me; whine inarticulately about the lonely ache that's been nagging me that day; ruminate on what I feel like eating for dinner. By letting go completely of the pressure to create 'good' or 'worthwhile' content, I can usually get my mind in the right place to start digging a bit deeper.
Of course, this is easier said than done. I spend a lot of time avoiding the cursor blinking on a blank page, but once I do take myself in hand and get started I can usually push past the block. And once the creative juices start flowing I can often keep going for hours, not stopping until I'm interrupted or I desperately need to pee!
Of course, this is easier said than done. I spend a lot of time avoiding the cursor blinking on a blank page, but once I do take myself in hand and get started I can usually push past the block. And once the creative juices start flowing I can often keep going for hours, not stopping until I'm interrupted or I desperately need to pee!
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