Inspiration is a funny thing. It can come to us like a lightning bolt, through the lyrics of a song, or in the fog of a dream. Ask any writer where their stories come from and you’ll get a myriad of answers, and in that vein I created the WHAT (What the Hell Are you Thinking?) interview.
Today’s guest for the WHAT is Nan Fischer, the author of the young adult novels When Elephants Fly and The Speed of Falling Objects. Her newest release is Some of It Was Real
Ideas for our books can come from just about anywhere, and sometimes even we can’t pinpoint exactly how or why. Did you have a specific origin point for your book?
Definitely!! First, I’m fascinated with psychics. Not only by what they do but the way readings impact people’s lives. I’ve had several experiences with both psychics and tarot card readers. In my early twenties a tarot reader said I’d find true love and told my best friend she’d never marry. Both things came to pass. Was it written in the stars, did we have an active hand in our own fate, or did we allow our future to be subconsciously shaped by that reading?
Writing about a psychic gave me the chance to explore this from her point of view instead of the recipient’s and to delve into the impact psychics can have. It also allowed me to discover whether Sylvie has moments of doubt, regret, or clarity and the emotional toll of a job where the client’s need for hope, closure, or an end to grief can be overwhelming.
The second seed for my novel was that I’ve always felt a bit like an imposter. Creating two characters—Sylvie who doesn’t quite believe in her gifts, and Thomas, who is a journalist trying to prove she’s a fraud for very personal reasons—gave me the opportunity to dig into imposter syndrome—the inability to believe in one’s skills and success.
I think we all feel like imposters at some point in our lives. Sometimes that’s based on clinging to stories from the past, faulty perceptions, or even lies we’ve been told. By giving my characters the chance to face their traumatic pasts and the courage to make different choices that could lead to more authentic lives, I hope readers who might also be struggling with their own version of imposter syndrome are encouraged to take control of their destiny.
Once the original concept existed, how did you build a plot around it?
The way I build any plot is to come up with the hook—in this case a psychic unsure of her gift, the cynical journalist determined to prove she’s a fraud for personal reasons and a deadly mystery that brings them together but threatens to tear them apart unless they can determine what’s real.
Once I have a hook, I do a deep dive into my subject matter while also continuing to pursue subjects that I find interesting. For example, I wanted to write about a psychic, but I live in a small town in Oregon with an orchard community. The legacy of farming and the pressure put on future generations to continue in the family business is fascinating so that ended up being a part of my story as it tied in with the theme of imposter syndrome.
More importantly, to build this specific plot I needed a second protagonist in the story that would push my psychic, Sylvie, to face her past, her gifts, and weigh her future. Thomas, a cynical journalist with his own secrets, was the right fit. The trick was to also give Thomas a complex storyline so that he had his own emotional arc and Sylvie and Thomas’s journey could be more powerful. Then I added beloved pets exhibiting unconditional love, a cat and mouse game between Sylvie and Thomas, a slow-burn romance, and kissing;-).
Have you ever had the plot firmly in place, only to find it changing as the story moved from your mind to paper?
While I tend to know the beginning and end of my stories, the plot definitely does shift as the characters become more fully realized and lead me in different directions. I actually never know, in the case of a romance, whether the characters will be together in the end. I usually wait to see whether that’s vital to the story. And in terms of who lives or dies… that’s always up in the air in service to the bigger picture! That’s what keeps writing novels so interesting—it’s an adventure for me, too.
Do story ideas come to you often, or is fresh material hard to come by?
I have story ideas every day, but for me that’s the easy part. The hard part is putting my butt in a chair for countless hours, days, weeks, months and even years to turn an idea into a fully realized novel. And sometimes I discover that what seemed like a great idea actually doesn’t have the legs to stand on its own and I have to go back to page one. That can be frustrating, but it’s all part of the process and if I hadn’t shelved some of my manuscripts I wouldn’t have ended up eventually writing Some of It Was Real.
How do you choose which story to write next, if you’ve got more than one percolating?
For me, that’s where a talented agent comes in. I’m super lucky that my agent, Stephanie Kip Rostan, is willing to take the time to discuss my ideas, ask hard questions, and brainstorm. She’s shot down some of my ideas (gently) but much in the same way that I appreciate the editing process, I enjoy figuring out what to write next and Steph’s input really helps.
In my partnership with Berkley, my brilliant editor, Kerry Donovan, is also willing to listen to my ideas and when needed help me shape them in a way that will create a better story for the reader. Kerry was integral in making Some of It Was Real shine and for my next novel with Berkley, she’s provided amazing feedback and direction. When authors say in their acknowledgements that it takes a village to produce a novel, it’s really true!
I have 6 cats and a Dalmatian (seriously, check my Instagram feed) and I usually have at least one or two snuggling with me when I write. Do you have a writing buddy, or do you find it distracting?
I love imagining you surrounded by your cats! My writing buddy is my 13-year-old Vizsla, Boone. He’s always snoozing beneath my desk when I write, and also drags me outside for much needed exercise! Having a dog reminds me how important it is to live in the moment. Secret fact… Boone shows up in every novel I write.
Nan Fischer is a graduate of Cornell University and former Traveling Writer for Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and Senior Campaign Writer for The University of California, San Francisco.