Ask Barbara Delinsky! discussion

Jencey asked about the writing process, which merits its own thread. Anyone have specific questions about this? I'll start it off by talking about getting the idea, which is Step One.

Most of my ideas come from the news. I keep an idea file and add thoughts to it as they happen in the world. When I'm done with one book and ready to start thinking of the next, some of these may be already stale, but others aren't. And then, while I'm trying to decide on a topic, there may be a news story that inspires a whole different, even more current one.

ESCAPE came from my own need for a break after writing NOT MY DAUGHTER.

NOT MY DAUGHTER came from news reports of teen pregnancy, particularly the alleged pregnancy pact at a high school in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

WHILE MY SISTER SLEEPS came from my imagination, as sparked by my envy of runners. I am not one, can't seem to hack it on the road, but I do admire them. Likewise gardening, which I cannot do but which Molly, in that book, does extraordinarily well.

So there's the idea. What comes next? What would you like to know?

Do you use an outline or just write?

My question is similar to Jencey's. When you write, do you find that you end up eliminating entire chapters, or scenes, or do a lot of rearranging?

In my "juvenile" experience I find that when I write, whether it be fiction for my pleasure or more structured writing for school, I could be almost guaranteed to throw out the first 4-5 pages until my style started to flow. I have also recently read an interview from JK Rowling where she indicated that she had written certain chapters for Harry Potter that she had intended to be for Book 1, then Book 3, but ended up feeling it fit more in Book 5.

Just wondering how things fell into place for you, my favorite writer?

I don't use a traditional outline, as in outlining each chapter before I start writing the book. I prefer to be spontaneous about that. Rather, I form broad outlines of the characters' backgrounds and growth, outline the general course of the story, outline the emotional arc. I do outline each chapter as I come to it, but more as a checklist for me than anything else.

I think my favorite book I've read of yours is "The Carpenter's Lady." I've read it several times over the years and I think it's the quietness of the setting and the thoughtfulness of the characters that draw me back. I think your writing has changed over the years -- your stories and characters are more complex. Do you think this is because you are a better writer now or because you've matured as a person, or you can't differentiate the two? How do you feel about your older works now?

Hello Barbara,
I would love to write but I'm not very good with grammer,spelling.beside going to classes and learning how to write is my only hope? I do love to read and for me reading is like an ecape from my problems! Do you ever write from pieces of your own life? To me books and animals (dogs,birds,tutles)are the greatest things in life! oh and of course love! :) How does one become a good writer?

Lisianne wrote: "I think my favorite book I've read of yours is "The Carpenter's Lady." I've read it several times over the years and I think it's the quietness of the setting and the thoughtfulness of the characte..."

Yes, my stories are more complex now, for the reasons you mention, as well as the demands of the marketplace. I like to think I grow a little with each book -- stretch myself as a writer. I do love those older books still, but simply feel that my recent work is different.

Mandie wrote: "Hello Barbara,
I would love to write but I'm not very good with grammer,spelling.beside going to classes and learning how to write is my only hope? I do love to read and for me reading is like an..."

Becoming a good writer takes years of work. I'm still at it.

That said, I was kicked out of honors English in high school because I couldn't keep up -- the message in that being if you know the nuts and bolts of creating a sentence, you're on your way. So much of the rest is the heart you put into your book, something that isn't taught in school.

I think that the best preparation for being a writer is reading, which you're already doing!

Wendy wrote: "My question is similar to Jencey's. When you write, do you find that you end up eliminating entire chapters, or scenes, or do a lot of rearranging?

In my "juvenile" experience I find that when ..."

Wendy, I don't actually take something from one place and put it another, though I may cut a chapter if it doesn't work or reorganize plot happenings. Usually, though, for me at least, that takes rewriting. Each chapter I write is appropriate for the particular time in which it appears in the story. Every sentence, every word fits that time. If the time changes, so do the words.

Barbara, thank you so much for taking the time to talk with us. I can't wait to read Escape!

At what age did you know you wanted to write for a living?
Thanks!

Embarrassing question, Christy, given my career. I never thought to write for a living -- never when I was growing up, never when I was going through college or out in the workforce as a sociological researcher. It wasn't until I was 34 that I wrote my first book, that on a whim. And it wasn't until I'd sold 3 or 4 of them that I realized this could be a career.