Ask the Author: Heidi Pitlor
Answered Questions (8)
Heidi Pitlor
Thanks for the question. I usually begin a novel just before my last one is published (although I've only published two). I inevitably put the new one down while promoting the previous one, and then bumble my way back toward the new one about a month after I'm done with promotion. It's usually a process of starting and stopping-- as a working mom, it's tough for me to plan much. I grabs scraps of time when I can. Thanks again!
Heidi Pitlor
Hi John! I don't know Mr. Emanuel at all. Lovell isn't based on him. I did some research about global warming and looked into Emanuel's findings. (One of the book's epigraph's is a quote from one of his books.) But again, Lovell is fictional and not based on anyone real.
Thanks so much for the question. Very best wishes, Heidi
Thanks so much for the question. Very best wishes, Heidi
Heidi Pitlor
My most recently finished book is my novel, The Daylight Marriage, which will come out next year. I began it a while ago (in the process of writing it, I had twins and worked, so it took a long time). Not long before I began it, the Laci Peterson story was all over the news. I began to pay attention to the frequency with which beautiful, missing women appeared in the news. I was not surprised, but was curious about what made this such a gripping story both for the media and for viewers and readers. My novel began as an exploration of this common story and my curiosity-- and turned into something different as I worked on it. But the media stayed in the novel, if to a lesser extent than I originally intended, as did the beautiful, missing woman. The rest became a story about marriage and happiness and parenthood, as well as how the smallest decisions in life can often snowball into choices that we never foresaw, at least consciously.
Heidi Pitlor
I love this question. A few answers come to mind: topic-wise, things tend to well up inside me over time and then a premise lands on me one day. A question or a set-up that seems just right for the welled-up themes, or maybe a better word would be human struggles, because I never consciously set out to write about this or that theme. Another answer: moment-wise, reading good writing inspires me. Coffee, sadly, often gives me the energy to get my butt in the chair and turn on the computer.
Heidi Pitlor
I'm wrapping up a long-term project titled 100 Years of The Best American Short Stories, coming in October, 2015. I'm also screwing around with a couple of new book ideas, but both are in early stages. I don't quite have my sea legs yet with them. Thanks for asking!
Heidi Pitlor
Read, read and read. Be kind to yourself. Allow yourself to take risks. But most importantly: allow yourself to write quickly and badly. And then revise the hell out of it, but only when you've finished the first draft.
Heidi Pitlor
I'm stealing this from someone, and for the life of me, I can't remember the source. But having written. That's the best thing for me. The feeling of completion and accomplishment. And all the interesting, creative people that you tend to meet when you write. The communities that exist for writers are great things.
Heidi Pitlor
Time away from the blockage usually helps me. Also, reading work that I love and inspires me. Thank you!
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