Mark Twain once said, "When a man loves cats, I am his friend and comrade, without further introduction."
Given this, we can assume Twain would heartily approve of an upcoming panel discussion at the Mark Twain House in Hartford. "Meow-za! Cat Writers Come Clean" will welcome Clea Simon, Allia Zobel, and Darlene Arden for a discussion on how to write successful feline novels about characters who spend most of the day sleeping.
Simon is the author of the Dulcie Schwartz Feline mystery series, two additional mystery series, and two nonfiction books. Her essays have been widely anthologized, and she a regular contributor to the "Boston Globe." Her writing has also appeared in "American Prospect," "Ms," "San Francisco Chronicle," and at Salon.com.
Recently, Simon shared with Books, Ink insight into her writing life, including the inspiration for her Dulcie Schwartz series, her creative process, the best writing advice she has received, and more.
Your novel, "Stages of Grey," is the eighth in the Dulcie Schwartz series, which is described as "cat paranormal and academic." I am intrigued! Please tell us about the series and the inspiration behind it.
The Dulcie series was originally sparked by a strange – I don't want to call it a visitation – but a strange happening. I had a cat who I adored, Cyrus. He was my primary relationship for 16 years, and I like to think he lived until he saw me safely settled down with the nice man I married, who also loved this long-haired grey cat. A few weeks after he died, I was walking, and I saw him – I was sure I saw him – sitting on someone's stoop. Obviously, it was another cat, but I never saw that other cat again, and I thought ... what if he came back to warn me about something? And that felt rather Gothic to me. So I thought, what if I had a heroine, a scholar, who was studying the original Gothic novels of the late 1700s and who thought of herself as very intellectual and rational. But then her late, great cat came back to warn her of something. And, of course, the Gothics were largely written by and read by women and were disparaged by critics, much like contemporary cozy mysteries....
What's the most surprising or unexpected thing you learned about the creative process while writing "Stages of Grey"?
Once again, I was surprised to learn how characters will dictate their own actions. I had a minor character in "Stages of Grey" who insisted on coming to the forefront. She was quite forceful about it!
I try to write in a way that feels true to the characters. Often they do not immediately reveal themselves, but by the end of the first draft, I know them – then I just have to go back and clean up the silliness from when I didn't.
How do you become acquainted with each character's voice and then capture it on paper? Do you have any strategies for writing to the point that you've uncovered characters' voices?
I'm afraid it's trial and error. I have to write and write and write and then after a while, something starts sounding right - and then I usually have to go back and take out a lot that doesn't sound right. It sounds like magic, but it's really just a lot of writing until it makes sense. I have to keep on writing until I know who my characters are, but if I put in the time, they WILL reveal themselves.
If you could meet three authors (living or not), who would you choose and why?
I think I'm supposed to say Shakespeare, and I'm sure he'd be a blast. But really? J.R.R. Tolkien, because he created such a complete world. Mary Stewart, whose "Crystal Cave" I recently re-read, for making such complete worlds out of myth and legend. And Colette, because she'd be a wonderful, wry dinner companion. All three have been very important to me.
What are you working on at the moment?
I'm deep into the ninth Dulcie! Dulcie is alone on campus on spring break when a long-missing book turns up in the coat of a sad but harmless scholar-turned-street person. At least, that's what's happening right now.
What's the best writing advice you have been given?
Bash it out now, tart it up later (which I've been told was said by pub rocker Nick Lowe). Basically, get the draft done. The first draft will always be bad, but it's better than no draft at all.
Please ask and answer one question you wish I'd asked.
Why do you write mystery series?
Well, the publishers want them! (I am also writing the Pru Marlowe pet noir mysteries for Poisoned Pen, the latest of which is "Panthers Play for Keeps.") The original Dulcie, "Shades of Grey," was submitted as a stand-alone, but Severn House said they wanted a sequel. Now, I'm really glad because writing series lets me really get to know my characters and explore different scenarios. I like seeing how my characters change and grow, and I really like not having to say goodbye to them when the book is over. One becomes attached!