My English and creative writing teacher in high school, Mrs. Marjorie Bruce. She was the one who said I had talent and encouraged me. I kept in touch with her the rest of her life, until her death at 90. I got discouraged about my writing ability in college. And I was told you can't learn to be better. I call that the Big Lie because later, with the writing bug still biting my neck, I had to try to figure out if it was true or not. It's not. That's one of the reasons I teach writing workshops.
What is the greatest historical novel you’ve ever read and why?
SHOGUN by James Clavell. It took me into a completely foreign world and kept me there.
Where is your favorite place to write? Do you have a designated office space?
I have a home office, but have been known to frequent two branch offices that serve coffee under a round, green sign. It varies for me. Sometimes I like to have a little activity going on around me when I write. Other times, especially deadline time, I'm holed up in my office.
Can you name a novel that has stayed with you, which you couldn’t shake, and that changed you in some way?
Do you have a life verse or a mission statement that guides your writing? If so, will you share it with us?
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena . . . who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat." - Theodore Roosevelt
Great quote!
Thanks, Jim, for joining us this week on Novel PASTimes!
To enter the contest for a copy of Jim's book, City of Angels, answer his question -
Who is your favorite fictional character and why?
- in the comment section by Friday, June 15th, 8:00 a.m. EST. Don't forget to include your email address.
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7 comments:
Wonderful interview. Thank you Jill and Jim. I've attended a few of Jim's workshops and always benefitted from his teaching.
Favorite fictional character: That's not so easy. But Hanne Abrahamsen, a nurse living in Denmark, in the novel Wildflowers of Terezin comes to mind. I admire her tenderness and her great courage and strength in facing a formidable enemy in the Third Reich.
patjeannedavis[at]verizon[dot]net
I enjoyed reading this interview. Thank you.
One of my favorite fictional characters is Scarlett O'hara. Not only was she determined but she was a strong woman albeit a little on the bratty side. I liked the way she went after what she wanted. Although she did hurt people in her quests for what she wanted. I wish she could have realized how happy she could have been with Rhett.
griperang at embarqmail dot com
Looks interesting!
Enter me!
God Bless!
Sarah Richmond
Blanch,N.C.
sarahrichmond.12@gmail.com
My favorite fictional character is Nancy Drew!
I always liked Miss Marple from the Agathie Christie books. She was a feisty little lady, always involved in interesting mysteries.
mtakala1 AT yahoo DOT com
Shogun was one of the best historical fiction I've ever read as well. Made me feel like I read a great story, as well as helped me understand the Japanese culture more.
Favorite character is a tough one, but I would have to say Pip, from Great Expectations. He's flawed, and caught up in events around him too powerful for him to control, but yet continues to want to do the right thing. I could read his story book after book, if they were written.
prleavell@gmail.com
My favorite fictional character is Laura Ingalls, I love to read about Historical settings, and Laura went thru alot.
Thanks for the giveaway!
readinginks ( at ) gmail ( dot ) com
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