Jacqueline Carey is one of my favorite people on the planet. She is one of those writers I really admire for all aspects of her professional life; she writes a large book every year and delivers a quality few writers attain; she goes out on tour every June and meets thousands of her fans; she goes to several conventions a year and gives of her time when it isn’t necessary; and she keeps her website updated like clockwork at the first of every month.
In short, she is a writer who not only writes but loves and respects her fans. Some writers are not so accessible.
She is the hugely popular author of the Kushiel series, which begins with Kushiel’s Dart. She also wrote one of the more fascinating takes on J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings epic with the duology The Sundering, which tells the story from the point of view of the losing side. If you haven’t checked out Jacqueline’s work, do so!
Below is Five Questions with Jacqueline Carey. Enjoy!
Suvudu: When did you start writing? Why do you write?
Jacqueline Carey: Teachers love this story… not! I began writing because I was bored in high school. I started a novel in the back of my notebook. It kept me occupied, and since it looked like I was industriously taking notes, no one bothered me. As it happens, I got hooked on the process and never stopped. I write because I love writing.
S: Describe your writing day? How many words/pages do you write a day on average? Breaks? How much time do you spend editing and how do you go about it?
JC: A lot of the creative process takes place in my head, and that's a constant, ongoing procedure that's impossible to measure. In terms of actually putting words on the page, I write for 3-4 hours in the late afternoon to early evening. No breaks! I've never been one to count words or pages on a daily basis, so to make sure I'm on track, I gauge my progress by measuring where I am in the overall narrative against the project's delivery date. I'm an edit-as-I-go writer, so I begin every day by editing the previous day's work. As a result, while I'm not a very speedy writer, I tend to produce fairly clean first drafts (or at least so I think, until I receive my editor's notes).
S: How many books did you write before you signed your first book contract? How did you get that contract? Via agent? Industry friend? Writer's retreat? Slushpile? Other?
JC: Aspiring writers, be forewarned! My debut novel, Kushiel's Dart, was actually the fourth full-fledged novel I wrote. The first three will (rightfully) never see the light of day. With each effort, I pushed myself to become a better writer and take genuine creative risks. I also became very good at researching the industry and writing query letters in the process. Thanks to that experience, I was able to secure an agent for Kushiel's Dart, and he got me my first contract.
S: What advice would you give beginning writers? What is the best way to break into the industry?
JC: First and foremost, writing should be a labor of love. This is a tough business, and if you don't love the process, you could be in for nothing but disappointment. That said, it's important to remember that it is a business. Be professional and courteous in all your interactions. Do your research, adhere to submission guidelines. Given the dwindling number of venues open to unagented submissions, I do think it's worth trying to get a good agent to represent your work; but beware of scams, because there are a lot of disreputable folks out there eager to exploit your dreams. Whichever route you take, it requires persistence, patience, and luck. Ultimately, the best thing you can do is write a book readers will fall in love with, and that's a secret no one can teach.
S: What are you currently working on? When can we expect it?
JC: I just finished the edit of Naamah's Kiss, the first volume in a new trilogy set in the Terre d'Ange milieu. It takes place several generations after the end of the last book in the Kushiel's Legacy series, and it will be released in June 2009. More intrigue, adventure, sex, and romance... now, with added magic!
I am sure we will have Jacqueline back for another interview around the first of the year. In the meantime, visit her website at www.JacquelineCarey.com and read her monthly updates. She is also on Facebook.
Tomorrow, another Five Question with a different writer! Till then...
So exciting that she's continuing to write novels set in Terre d'Ange! Thanks for this interview!
Very welcome. Be sure to thank Jacqueline! :) And if you have any questions for her that you think might be good for the next interview, send them my way at shawn@suvudu.com!