Q&A with Erick Setiawan discussion

What, for you, makes the perfect conditions to write? How long did it take to write the first draft of OF BEES AND MIST? It seems like it would be easy to get caught up in the revision process, to the point where a story ends up far from how it began. How did you know that you could put the manuscript down and let the chips fall where they may?

Hi Michelle,

Perfect conditions to write: when I'm well-rested, not cranky, not stressed out, and definitely not angry, since I can't do anything when I'm angry. I love writing in coffee shops and restaurants, as long as they don't play loud music.

It took me about 2 years to write the first draft of OF BEES AND MIST, and another 3 years of revision (1 with my editor) to get it finished. I think it all comes down to your gut feeling (after you've addressed all your editor's concerns, of course). You can keep editing a book forever (maybe that's what Harper Lee is still doing), but at some point, you just have to believe in the story and the characters and send them off into the world. That doesn't mean that you'll stop editing in your head. To this day, it's difficult for me to reread BEES, because I keep wishing if only I'd used this word instead of that word, what was I thinking, if only, if only . . .

It was difficult to say good-bye, but I think any author can tell you that when it's done, it's done. In truth, I got a bit sick of them after having them in my head for years . . .

The book wasn't meant to be culture-specific, so I'm thrilled you visualized an Indian family. Other readers have told me they saw Russian, Latin American, Chinese--it's all good to me!

Thanks for getting in touch.

Erick Setiawan

Stephanie wrote: "...Thank you again and great job - can't wait for the next one. ..."

I second that sentiment.