novelist, essayist, teacher
Once upon a time . . .
One of the challenges all writers have is how to grab reader interest from the get-go. Most begin their stories or novels with one of two things: either a large thud of expository writing, or a battle/car chase/explosion of some sort (either physical or emotional) in which bad things happen to characters no one yet cares about.
May I suggest there is a better way? In the beginning of your work, communicate three things:
I’m back home from the tour now and hunkering in over the next novel amidst thunderstorms and trees crashing down and a wild turkey and her brood who have taken up refuge in our garden (which seems a strange decision given the trees crashing down).
Still, things are going on out there in the world and I thought I’d share them here. First, Canada Writes published an interview with me about openings . . . you know, waking up with a sock in your mouth. You can read more by clicking here.
In case anyone’s interested, there’s a profile piece up in the National Post this morning in which I manage not to sound like a complete idiot.
http://arts.nationalpost.com/2013/06/06/lauren-b-davis-drink-piece/
Photo by Michelle Siu. Taken in an alley. Fitting.
Jared Bland, the editor at the Globe & Mail, recently asked what I thought was the biggest danger to emerging writers. Without hesitation I said, “Self-publishing.” He threw back his head and laughed and said it was the best answer he’d heard to date.
And, just as quickly, I thought — oh dear, here come the nasty letters.
This has always been a touchy subject, and I suspect it will be an even more contentious one now that the Writers Union of Canada is voting on whether to allow self-published writers into the union.
The lovely people at Open Book Toronto asked me to answer their “Proust” questionnaire. On their site they say:
Lauren B. Davis is following strong on the heels of her hit book Our Daily Bread with The Empty Room (HarperCollins Canada) hitting the shelves just one year later.
Though The Empty Room tackles a different subject than Lauren’s previous books, it has her trademark intensity and willingness to delve into the dark and difficult, this time tracing a woman’s battle with the chaos and pain of alcoholism.
I’m in Toronto doing book launch stuff, and having a great time. Last night dinner with Michael Rowe and the wonderful ChiZine publishers Sandra Kasturi and Brett Savory. This morning Lisa Fromer interviewed me on Global TV’s The Morning Show. Although I was only about 85% awake I think there was enough caffeine in my system that I didn’t make a total ass of myself. If interested, you can watch the interview here:
In a couple of hours I have the great joy of being interviewed by Shelagh Rogers for her CBC show, which will be aired later this year, and then I teach a class and hang out at the book launch.
Every now and then someone asks me, why do you write about people like that?
I ask, people like what?
Well, these folks say, you seem like a pretty happy person, more or less, and you have a great marriage and you like where you live and you love your dog and you don’t worry about having enough to eat or your health, so why don’t you write about nice people?
Nice people? I ask (because although I know what they mean, I like to tease.)
Yes, I don’t like a lot of your characters, they’re too . . .
I’m giving a writing workshop in Toronto on May 28th, exclusively for fans of HarperCollins Canada’s Facebook Page. To be part of it, click on the link and see the details. You have to ‘like’ the page and send HarperCollins Canada an email saying why you wish to be part of the workshop. Hope you can join us!
Here’s what we’ll be doing: “THE FOUNDATIONS OF GOOD WRITING: YEARNING AND SIGNIFICANT DETAILS” – We’ll learn how to ensure readers care about the characters in our work, and explore the ways a writer creates emotion: significant, concrete details; specificity, memory flashes, physical signals, sensual selectivity, etc. We’ll look at examples, do writing exercises and generate story ideas. Come prepared to do some writing and have fun!
As many of you know, I ditched Goodreads once Amazon bought it and have been hanging out at Booklikes and TheReadingRoom.. I like both sites, but wanted to share the press release from BookLikes I received today. Love the fact they have a Canadian database. There’s some great features on this site — with more coming about once a week — and I’d be delighted if you joined and ‘followed’ me there. . .
Here you go:
Blog Platform Designed for Book Lovers – BookLikes – Goes Live
Some days are just wonderful. It’s My Best Beloved’s birthday, and it’s Bailey’s birthday (our dog, known asThe Rescuepoo), and the hot-off-the-presses copy of my new novel arrived in the mail, which just makes me giddy with grinning . . . . but. . . the most wonderful thing about today happened in a prison.
