On the Southern Literary Trail discussion

On the Southern Literary Trail is honored to welcome Michael Farris Smith, whose debut novel, Rivers, has garnered a lot of attention and rave reviews within the group.

I'm sure many of you have burning questions that you would like to ask Michael. Now is your opportunity. Post your questions below and Michael will visit from time to time and respond to your questions.

I loved your novel, Michael, and appreciate you taking the time to visit with the group. I noticed you used animals very effectively throughout the book. Cohen bonds with his horse and his dog when he has lost the people that he loves. There are skinny dogs, a hungry panther, and a room full of rats all trying to survive just like the people on the prowl for food. Have you included animals in your other works?

Cohen is a wonderful character. How did you develop his personality and backstory? Was he based on someone you know?

I loved the title, but was blown away when I realized where it came from, in a throw-away line when Cohen and another of the imprisoned women were talking. That was brilliant.

Thanks for joining us, Michael. It seems that one of the questions one asks an author about a book is where you got the inspiration for the story. With Rivers, though, the answer to that question is painfully self-evident. I’ve just gotten started with it but I am totally hooked.

I’m amazed that such a fantastic story is a debut novel and took a look at your website to make sure. I was intrigued by the books you have coming out in the future; Desperation Road and The Fighter. Having recently reread Jack London’s A Piece of Steak, I was impressed that each of your books appears to feature a character with all the cards stacked against him. From Don Quixote to Atticus Finch such characters have fascinated readers. Would you please give us your thoughts on the hopeless cause in literature? Why do we see it so often and what draws us to these characters?

Connie wrote: "I loved your novel, Michael, and appreciate you taking the time to visit with the group. I noticed you used animals very effectively throughout the book. Cohen bonds with his horse and his dog when..."

The thing I like about questions with a group is somehow you always get one you haven't heard, and this is it. I have never thought about the animals but there is certainly a close connection between man and animal in Rivers. I think it's because of the desolate, wild setting. Cohen needed someone to talk to, so I thought dog. He needed transport, so I thought horse (both of which I've had and loved). The other stuff was just part of the savagery that I knew simply had to exist.

I think it helped me make Cohen more a part of this abandoned, natural world by having him involved with, and scared by, four-legged characters.

Connie wrote: "Cohen is a wonderful character. How did you develop his personality and backstory? Was he based on someone you know?"

Thanks again for the kind words about the work. Cohen was no more than someone who woke up in the middle of the night, below the Line, and I tried to discover him as I went along (something I do with all my characters, I don't think too much about them ahead of time, just get them on the page and get them doing). I will say his attachment to the land is like my grandfather, who owned many acres, and farmed, and loved his place and never left it. I think it's a feeling I inherited and so that would be where that aspect of Cohen comes from. I had to answer so many questions for Cohen and why he would still be there that I think I threw a lot into him, and though I didn't really think of anyone or anything too specific, I think much of who I am and what I have experienced probably seeped into him.

Diane wrote: "I loved the title, but was blown away when I realized where it came from, in a throw-away line when Cohen and another of the imprisoned women were talking. That was brilliant."

I know that's not a question, but thank you for saying it.

Tom wrote: "Thanks for joining us, Michael. It seems that one of the questions one asks an author about a book is where you got the inspiration for the story. With Rivers, though, the answer to that question i..."

I just think it's important to have characters who are in really tough situations from the first page. That is something I learned about writing novels and when I figured this out, it became more engaging to me, and so more engaging to readers. Larry Brown (one of my big influences) called this "sand-bagging," piling on your characters as much trouble as you can, and then seeing how they react. Because that is what is interesting to me, how people react to being between a rock and a hard place. So I try to start there, with the fire burning already (so to speak). It also keeps me from knowing what is going to happen next, which (hopefully) translates into that for the reader.

I am a big fan of Rivers because it seemed very real to me. I'm a sucker for post-apocalypse and dystopian type books, but only one other book before your novel seemed very real. That book is Orwell's 1984. I read your book during non-stop rain and thunderstorms in Tennessee in February, which only made it better for me. I have friends who lived through Katrina in Biloxi and one friend who lost her grandmother in that terrible storm so, naturally, I wondered if Katrina was an inspiration for Rivers. Also, did you ever see the television series Jericho and did it have any influence on your novel?

Tina wrote: "I am a big fan of Rivers because it seemed very real to me. I'm a sucker for post-apocalypse and dystopian type books, but only one other book before your novel seemed very real. That book is Orwel..."

Hi Tina, I'm sorry about your friends and their losses. I've heard from many people like this through this novel. Because I'm from south Mississippi, yes, Katrina was an influence on this novel and I'm certain Rivers would have never been written if it hadn't happened. I tried to write a post-Katrina type novel and got 30 or so pages in a couple of times, but did not like using this real, horrible event to wrap fiction around. I know others have done it, and that's fine, but for me I was too emotionally attached. But I just kept thinking about it and finally thought, instead of writing A hurricane novel, why don't you write THE hurricane novel. And from that instant on, it opened up for me. The setting, the landscape, the situation, and then I stuck Cohen in there and just went with it.

These are all really good and interesting questions so far, by the way.

Michael, Rivers was definitely THE hurricane novel.

Michael, I was really bothered at the end because we never find out what happened to Nadine and Kris and the unnamed baby born in the camp with Aggie. (view spoiler)[The border guards took them to a hospital, followed by Nadine, and that's we last we heard of them. I had grown to care about them at that point. I know that the reality of that world meant that people just disappeared, but I was in hopes Mariposa might run into them in a shelter. Do YOU know what happened, or did you as an author just have to let them go?(view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

Enter the following and then take out the *s.

"at the end <*spoiler> because we never_____shelter<*/spoiler>."

Sorry, Tom, I just assumed anyone asking Muchael questions would have finished the book.

Diane wrote: "Sorry, Tom, I just assumed anyone asking Michael questions would have finished the book."

My bad. It didn't occur to me to mention it and I'm only about 50 pages in. No biggie. Thanks for fixing it.

Diane wrote: "Michael, I was really bothered at the end because we never find out what happened to Nadine and Kris and the unnamed baby born in the camp with Aggie. [spoilers removed]"

Hi Diane, I've wondered about them myself, it was just one of those instinct things at the time. Kinda fit (at least to me) with the way the world seemed to spin down there. I get the feeling that one day I'll sit down and look for them in another story. Maybe?

That would be great! Not a question, but an eerie article is on the front page of today's NYT. "Resettling the first American Climate Refugees".
HUD has announced the first ever grants to help communities adapt to climate change by building stronger levees, dams and drainage systems. One of those grants is for Isle de Jean Charles, Louisiana, an allocation to move an entire community struggling with recurrent flooding.
Michael, looks like you are on to something.

Tina wrote: "Michael, Rivers was definitely THE hurricane novel."

Thanks. I hope so.

Diane wrote: "That would be great! Not a question, but an eerie article is on the front page of today's NYT. "Resettling the first American Climate Refugees".
HUD has announced the first ever grants to help comm..."

I still get messages whenever it floods somewhere, and I guess I always will. The first time I showed a friend the first 30 or so pages of the initial draft, his immediate comment was "I could see this happening." But let's hope not.

Thanks for participating with us, Michael!

A good many of the books we read here in the group could be called "grit lit" and tend to feature mostly male protagonists trying to beat the odds stacked against them. I love those books, but one aspect of Rivers that really spoke to me was the strength of Mariposa. I cannot remember another female character who burst into a scene and the story quite like she did! The closest thing to it is the cameo suicide note written by Joe Lon's mom in A Feast of Snakes. Awesome.

Mariposa's layered, in-depth history made her character entirely legit for me. When she romanticized the articles she found in Cohen's shoebox, it seem entirely natural. Had she not grown up steeped in history and in a setting where stories of the past were easy to conjure, it would otherwise be very difficult to buy her falling for Cohen just from the souvenirs he cherished and kept. Yes, teenaged girls can be impulsive but your writer's logic (or whatever it's called) made her entire background and actions click.

What propelled you to build her as such a strong character? A lot of southern lit features women as merely background. But like the young women in Winter's Bone, Fay, Serena, and Tomato Red, Mariposa was well wrought as intelligent, tender, and utterly fierce. I gravitate to this stuff we call "grit lit" and am extremely happy with not just what you write, but who you write. Will there be more women like Mariposa in your upcoming books?

LeAnne wrote: "Thanks for participating with us, Michael!

A good many of the books we read here in the group could be called "grit lit" and tend to feature mostly male protagonists trying to beat the odds stacke..."

Hi LeAnne, thanks for the nice comments about Mariposa and women characters. As soon as she walked into the story I knew she would have a big role to play.

First, about writing women. Here goes: my grandmother had 5 sisters, my dad has 4, I have 2, and now I have 2 daughters. Does this make me understand women? God no. But I have been lucky to have been around some strong and interesting women in my own life.

In addition to that, in recent years I've learned something about writing novels: every single character that shows up has to be treated like a real person. Every one. They all need their own traits, backgrounds, personalities, things that make them distinguishable. So in Rivers, I worked hard to do that. Mariposa is special to me for the reasons you mentioned above and she was so necessary to the story.

More like her? I think so. Maben in Desperation Road (coming in February) and both Maryann and Annette in The Fighter (2018).

Michael wrote: "LeAnne wrote: "Thanks for participating with us, Michael!

A good many of the books we read here in the group could be called "grit lit" and tend to feature mostly male protagonists trying to beat ..."

Your grandma would be proud!

Where does the name Cohen come from? (If we find out later in the book, let's pretend I never asked.)

Deborah wrote: "Where does the name Cohen come from? (If we find out later in the book, let's pretend I never asked.)"

Hi Deborah, it was nothing too thought out. Basically, I named him after the Coen Brothers because I love their films, but added an H to not be obvious. It was a happy accident that the name has some religious connotations.

Do you ever find it amazing at the meanings and connotations that people give to incidents in your writing that you were not concious of at the time of writing? Like the name Cohen, for instance? I read an interview with Amy Tan once, and she said she thought it was funny when she read reviews that gave meaning to her novels that she never intended; she was just trying to tell a good story.

Diane wrote: "I read an interview with Amy Tan once, and she said she thought it was funny when she read reviews that gave meaning to her novels that she never intended; she was just trying to tell a good story. ."

William Golding said the same thing about Lord of the Flies. Hasn't something been said to the effect that, once told, a story no longer belongs to the author but to the reader? At that point, it becomes the reader's interpretation and not the author's intent that is important.

Diane wrote: "Do you ever find it amazing at the meanings and connotations that people give to incidents in your writing that you were not concious of at the time of writing? Like the name Cohen, for instance? I..."

Absolutely. In fact, I learn a lot about my novels from hearing questions. Which is kind of a joke, but also always interesting to see how many different things are being taken away or realized.

I talked to a high school class the other day and they wanted me to "explain" everything, why I chose a panther or why this or why that. Eventually I just had to talk about the creative process and how things just happen.

I finished today and I too, really liked the novel. Cohen and his wife felt very real to me. Many times in southern lit you have characters that are already down on their luck and then more bad things continue to pile up on them. As a reader, I felt that you had a couple that were kind of worldly, not back woods or isolated people. They saved money, they explored other countries, they wanted to start a family but then life happened. Adjustments had to me made. I loved the flashbacks to the trip. I think this helped me identify more with Cohen.

Not to ask for explanation, but let me ask other members....in the beginning Cohen goes out and fires one of only 2 bullets in the chamber. If I remember this correctly, did we ever know why he did this? I sometimes remember little things and wonder if I missed a bigger picture.

I have enjoyed reading all the questions and answers above.....great thoughts!!!

It would have been very easy to close out the story with the fortune having been recovered so that Mariposa and the boys would have a solid start in life above the line. Yet it felt extremely true to Cohen's character for him to chuck it all in order to get back to the boys and try to keep them safe. You have said that the story develops for you as you write it. Did you toy at all with the last portion of the book or consider having it resolve itself in any other ways? Regardless, I think the ending was perfect.

Laura wrote: "I finished today and I too, really liked the novel. Cohen and his wife felt very real to me. Many times in southern lit you have characters that are already down on their luck and then more bad thi..."

He only fired one because he was out of shells and didn't want to be without. He has to go to Charlie the next day to get more. But we all know what happens....

Not a question...a statement of intent. You should know we are getting together a delegation to convince you to write a sequel.

In an effort to avoid revealing any spoilers I'm going to ask in very general terms a question that Diane asked more pointedly over in the Final Discussion section. (view spoiler)[ As an author, what, if any, is the emotional impact of causing bad things to happen to your characters? Do you grow fond of them? Do you look for ways to avoid their fate? (hide spoiler)]

Diane wrote: "Not a question...a statement of intent. You should know we are getting together a delegation to convince you to write a sequel."

I've always thought it was a few books away, so now there is Desperation Road (2017), The Fighter (2018), and something new I just started, so after that would be a few books. You guys might have convinced me.

LeAnne wrote: "It would have been very easy to close out the story with the fortune having been recovered so that Mariposa and the boys would have a solid start in life above the line. Yet it felt extremely true ..."

Follow up...Cohen's intent to keep loved ones safe was shown a bit when Elisa went running in Venice and didn't return for hours. He took some "risks" if you could call it that, climbing up -was it a fountain? - and calling her name over and over. Was this some sort of foreshadowing to show what he would do when his loved ones were in danger?

And while on the topic of foreshadowing, in Death in Venice, the main character refuses to leave the city in the midst of an epidemic because he is infatuated with a youth that he never even approaches. He stayed in Venice for a chance at love- Cohen stayed in Biloxi for the remembrance of love. Or - is that just something I'm inventing??

Michael, did you create an outline for Rivers before writing? I know there are different thoughts on the writing process and I am curious. I have 2 friends that are budding writers and one writes off the cuff and the other creates sticky notes when something comes to her and moves them around her office wall.

LeAnne wrote: "LeAnne wrote: "It would have been very easy to close out the story with the fortune having been recovered so that Mariposa and the boys would have a solid start in life above the line. Yet it felt ..."

Not inventing. Aschenbach risked death because of the plague, and we all know what Cohen risks by staying. Not something I had any grand plan for, but it just came out in their conversation in the plaza and I thought, that kinda works.

Tina wrote: "Michael, did you create an outline for Rivers before writing? I know there are different thoughts on the writing process and I am curious. I have 2 friends that are budding writers and one writes o..."

I am more off the cuff. I'll work in the morning and then when I'm done I'll make myself (hopefully) a couple of notes about what I think is next. I love it that way, discovering as I go. I hope it translates to the reader.

I finished this last night and I want to say that I seldom find a novel that grips me so tightly and feels so consuming. Having the real images of Katrina to draw upon heightened the anxiety that I felt for all the characters. I also loved how intelligent this novel was, every detail contributes to the story and every scene makes sense.

When you were writing, did you intend to (view spoiler)[transform Charlie from a friend into a threat or did he just fill that need at the end? I found it very realistic that a man who was doing what he was doing would put money above everything else, but he did show some generosity toward the man without money. Was it intentional to draw a contrast between Cohen, who gives up the money to protect the boys, and Charlie, who gives up a lifetime of knowing and loving this boy for the lure of wealth? (hide spoiler)]

Hi Sara,

Charlie just kinda became what he became as time went on. The thing about most of the characters was this - the rain drives them all crazy. I just wanted it to be maddening to the point to where you never knew what anyone might do given certain circumstances. So that's how Charlie came to play his role. The only one I really thought of long-term possibilities with was Mariposa when she showed up.

With two more books coming out soon (-ish), does your agent or publisher have any plans to put together discussion questions for Lit Lovers or Reading Group Guides? I didn't have any trouble pulling together questions for my real-world reading group, but it occurs to me that those guides are great marketing devices, especially for groups who do not have one central facilitator that will organize the discussion.

Of all the people Joe and I recommended RIVERS to, there isn't a single one who didn't rave about it - but it seems to be sort of a sleeper success. I think everybody here on the Southern Literary Trail has gone all evangelical on you and want to spread the word!

Speaking of your upcoming books, would you be willing to tell us a little bit about them to get us fired up for their release?

LeAnne wrote: "With two more books coming out soon (-ish), does your agent or publisher have any plans to put together discussion questions for Lit Lovers or Reading Group Guides? I didn't have any trouble pullin..."

Well, concerning the "sleeper success," I'll just say there were more than a few aggravations that led to me changing publishers, and leave it at that. But in the end, I would have walked to New York anyway to work with Lee Boudreaux and am thrilled to be part of her imprint. So I'm very happy.

I'll find out about reading group guides and make it a point to mention it was brought up by a reading group. I kinda anticipate them being available.

Tom wrote: "Speaking of your upcoming books, would you be willing to tell us a little bit about them to get us fired up for their release?"

I try to let the descriptions on my website do the talking. I'm superstitious about talking too much about my own work. But I'll share this tidbit - the sales team at Little, Brown is very excited about Desperation Road, so much so that they amped up the number of galleys for indies and review outlets. I don't put too much into blurbs but Tom Franklin's words about Desperation Road were very flattering and validating. As far as The Fighter, I'll just say it's like watching a car chase on television, knowing there is gonna be a big crash any second.

And yes, LeAnne, I'm very appreciative of all the good reads and kind words from this group and am excited to get something new in everyone's hands in February.

Your work deserves to be shared, and it's a total pleasure for us to do so. Like a great pot of gumbo, we want every one to have a bowl!

I am very excited to read your coming works. I found this one so impressive that I recommended it to ALL my contacts (which I have not ever done before). I would wish you luck, but I don't think that is necessary--you have skill and talent!

I have been trying to understand the graphic pages at the section breaks. They look like Rorschach patterns. Any thoughts

John wrote: "I have been trying to understand the graphic pages at the section breaks. They look like Rorschach patterns. Any thoughts"

I thought they were rust patterns, the result of never-ending rains that are decaying everything and everyone around them.