Today's guest is Robbie Couch, author of THE SKY BLUES. He joined me today to talk about writing honestly about LBGTQ issues and forward thinking in small communities.
Jennifer Craven On The Lure Of Literary Retellings
by Jennifer Craven
When it comes to writing a novel, authors hear countless quotes from industry experts offering tips like:
“Don’t reinvent the wheel.”
“No storyline is ever completely new.”
“If you see it once, you’ll see it again and again.”
All of these expressions remind me of one particular genre: literary retellings. This category has boomed in recent years, with more authors taking a stab at their own version of an older story. Many retellings center on fairy tales or classic literature, such as “Pride and Prejudice.” Truly, no other author’s work has been reimagined more than our gal pal Jane Austen.
Doesn’t everyone remember reading (or being forced to read) the classics in school? My guess is not many teens would admit to really enjoying those books at that time. But the thing about retellings is it gives readers a chance to experience some of the cornerstones of great literature in a new way. Many retellings are set in modern times, or retold from different character perspectives. They’re great ways to understand and appreciate enduring narratives from an approachable angle.
On the flip side, you’ve got readers who love and have always loved these timeless tales. Maybe you’ve heard people gush that they’re the biggest “Little Women” fans ever (er wait, is that just me?). Louisa May Alcott is another author whose work has been retold in countless novels and from an array of perspectives. Readers are drawn to stories that feel familiar, with both recognizable settings, storylines and beloved characters.
There’s a sense of nostalgia that accompanies re-imaginings. It feels good and comfortable to dive back into the lives of characters you love. Plus, it’s just plain old fun! Who doesn’t love taking a well-known story and flipping it on its head? Hearing Little Red Riding Hood from the perspective of the Big Bad Wolf? Yes, please! A drama where Jo March ends up with Laurie? (Okay, again, there’s my own inner desires coming through). Even children’s books have jumped on the trend, with tons of fairytales and myths coming alive again in retellings.
I think readers have strong preferences when it comes to genres they seek. But for those who are drawn to reimagined stories, there’s an underlying obsessiveness—and I mean that in the best way possible, particularly because I fit into this category, too. It’s almost as though once you’ve read one, you want to read them all. Show me any iteration of Cinderella, and I’ll read it.
There are lots of authors who have dabbled in this genre, but one that sticks out to me in terms of success and notoriety is Curtis Sittenfeld. Several of her titles have been fascinating reimagined stories of both classic literature and even well-known living politicians. The “what if” trope is always central to these books. What if the original plot would have skewed left instead of right? What if character A would have made this choice instead of that? The element of “suppose that…” lets readers’ imaginations sweep them away. And who can resist that?
When I began brainstorming my latest novel, the idea of writing a retelling just would not leave me alone. The plot consumed me, the story begging to be told. I knew right away that I would use my favorite film, “The Sound of Music,” as a jumping off point for this reimagining. I’d seen the movie countless times, knew the characters inside and out, and could recite lines unprompted. It was a childhood (and later adulthood) staple. Yet, each time I’d watch the film, I’d find myself wondering what happened next. A headstrong, devoted father; a spirited mother; seven innocent children. As they climbed the Alps to freedom, and as the film credits rolled, my mind wove a new story that picked up from that point.
For me, writing a retelling was different than writing any other genre of fiction. It had a certain sense of closeness, an intimacy if you will, that was both enjoyable but also daunting. The thing is, readers love retold literature, which is reassuring—but also comes with a dose of intimidation. What if they don’t like your approach? What if they think you’ve butchered the original? These are all thoughts that hang over an author’s head like a rain cloud ready to pour down unfavorable reviews.
But at the end of the day—like any writer—the story won. I followed my gut with where the plot went, ultimately coming to a place where I felt I honored the classic and created a fresh extension full of heart.
Retellings will continue to be among my favorite genres. And as more and more readers discover the enchantment, I hope authors will continue spinning stories from stories, giving all of us a chance to escape into something truly magical.
Jennifer Craven is the author of two historical fiction novels: "All That Shines and Whispers" and "A Long Way From Blair Street." She has bylines in numerous national publications, including The Washington Post, HuffPost, Motherly, Today's Parent and more. In addition to writing, Jennifer is a mom to three young children, as well as a college instructor at Mercyhurst University in Erie, Pa. Follow her on instagram at @jennifercravenauthor.
Inspiration & Imagining 2030 with Michael R. French
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. Always including in the WHAT is one random question to really dig down into the interviewees mind, and probably supply some illumination into my own as well.
Today’s guest for the WHAT is Michael R. French, whose work includes several best-sellers, and has been warmly reviewed in the New York Times and been honored with a number of literary prizes. His new book Cliffhanger: Jump Before You Get Pushed imagines the year 2030 — viruses, spy drones, terrorism, and joblessness have eroded American optimism. People want something to believe in. As demonstrated in a Midwest high school election, politics have taken on the inflexibility and dogma of a new religion. Only true believers will survive and prosper. Or so they think.
How does inspiration usually find you?
Whether it's a lightning bolt or a slow-simmering memory, something that initially burns brightly in your imagination doesn’t necessarily age well on the page. For example, the allure of a plot or theme or characters may fade by the middle of the book, and then you have to figure out why you’re no longer excited, and god forbid, what will the reader think?
Can you successfully rethink your initial inspiration, or should you go on to another story? Tough call, but to me if you struggle too much on a draft, best to park it on your hard drive for a while. I have a lot of false starts in my document file. Most of these die there. Miraculously, however, some come back to life and you finish a book that exceeds your initial expectations.
Once the original concept existed, how did you build a plot around it?
Well, sometimes the original concept is the plot, a well-built one too. It’s like giving birth to a fully-developed baby after one trimester. A small miracle. So you end up spending most of your time on the characters who inhabit your plot. Don’t limit your imagination by thinking there’s only one way to finish your book. The possibilities can be diverse. Putting together a finished novel is no less complex than a building a house from scratch. Neither are modest undertakings.
Have you ever had the plot firmly in place, only to find it changing as the story moved from your mind to paper?
It’s a good idea to know where you think your plot is heading, but don’t be in a rush to the finish line. Insights unavailable to an author in the beginning of a story suddenly appear in the middle or end. Your characters should come to life with quirks and actions that surprise you. Be sure to consider building on them.
Do story ideas come to you often, or is fresh material hard to come by?
I had an imaginary gopher when I was five years old, and it dug imaginary holes in the family lawn. Thankfully my parents never doubted my claims. If you give your imagination, curiosity and fantasies carte blanche at a young age, you may grow up to be a pretty decent storyteller.
How do you choose which story to write next, if you’ve got more than one percolating?
Writers I know sometimes feel plagued by too many stories percolating at once. Hopefully, one particular story feels so urgent that it demands to be heard first. Sometimes you have to exorcise it, like a wild animal has taken over your mind and won’t leave you in peace.
I have 5 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 animals, but when working I prefer to put myself in solitary. No distractions. The great author John Cheever once said that even a sip of sherry in the evening can cause disaster in your writing.