An interview with novelist A. J. Colucci…
[Note from Steve: A. J. Colucci writes science thrillers, stories that combine the adrenaline-rush of a thriller with real science. I met her at BooksNJ a few weekends ago and knew immediately that those who visit this blog will be interested in learning more about her. Her novel The Colony received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, noting, “Colucci’s exciting thriller debut…balances scares and science nicely. Michael Crichton fans will hope that this is but the first of many such outings from the author’s pen.” Her second science thriller will be released by St. Martin’s Press in spring 2014. Visit her website or find her on Twitter. Without further ado, let’s meet A. J.]
A. J. on writing:
Steve: Why, how, and when did you start writing?
A. J.: I was always writing, even in elementary school. I had so many stories in my head. The first “novel” I wrote was The Black Cat and my fourth grade teacher told me it was great. I’m sure a lot of people choose careers because they’re encouraged by a great teacher, and I had a few of those. So, I went on to write for my high school and college newspaper, and then became a reporter, magazine editor, corporate writer and finally a novelist. For me, writing has been a good choice because I’m not too good at anything else.
Steve: Did you publish the first book you wrote?
A. J.: I had three books and five screenplays by the time The Colony was picked up by Macmillan. It takes years to sharpen your writing skills and polish a book so that it’s marketable. The Colony was my second attempt at a novel and I kept going back to it in between writing projects. I knew it was my best chance to get published because it was such a high concept story.
Steve: What is your biggest problem with the writing process? How do you tackle it?
A. J.: I write a lot by hand; it just comes out better that way. But then I have to transcribe all my notes into the computer. Hundreds of scribbled pages I can barely read. There’s paper in my car, under my bed, in every room of the house. It’s awful and time-consuming, but there’s no way around it.
Steve: Do you feel writing is something you need to do or want to do?
A. J.: I write because there’s no way I could not write. There’s a lot of other things I like to do, but when I’m sitting in front of my computer lost in this world I’ve made with people I’ve created, bringing a story to life, there’s just nothing else that makes me feel that good.
Steve: How much of your creative ability do you think is innate and how much is learned?
A. J.: I think creativity is innate. You have it or you don’t. Story ideas have always come easy to me and I rarely get writers block. The words just seem to flow. Conversely, the process of editing and polishing a manuscript is mostly learned. It takes years of reading and writing in a particular genre to get good at it.
Steve: What is the last book you read? What are you reading now?
A. J.: I started Outlander because a friend gave it to me and said it was terrific. It is very good, but I’ve been reading it for weeks. When I’m in writing mode, I can’t seem to get into novels that are outside my genre. So, at the same time, I’ve been re-reading The Lost World and Hot Zone, which are more inspirational for the book I’m working on now.
Steve: Whose writing inspires you the most and why?
A. J.: Originally, it was literary novels that inspired me to become a writer, more than genre fiction. Authors like Alice Hoffman, Toni Morrison, Wally Lamb and Khaled Hosseini made the English language simply delicious. But then I got hooked on thrillers, sci-fi and horror, which have a style more in line with the way I write. Since then I’ve been influenced by Michael Crichton, Stephen King, Douglas Preston, Ken Follett, just to name a small few. I don’t think any single author stands out above the rest.
Steve: Should writers read in their genre? Should they be avid readers?
A. J.: Definitely. To write well in a particular genre, you have to know what works. There is so much to learn from reading authors who’ve made it to the top of their field. The drawback is sometimes novels become textbooks. You’re so busy studying them for craft, you don’t enjoy the story as much. I’ve heard a few authors say they don’t read much, but I’m sure they’re the exception.
Steve: How do you find your plots?
A. J.: It seems like everywhere I look there’s a good story—in newspapers, magazines, and everyday life. As an author of science thrillers, I can’t watch a nature or science progra without coming up with a few ideas. The premise for The Colony actually came to mind while watching a BBC special on killer ants.
Steve: Are your characters based on real people?
A. J.: I never base characters on people I’ve known. Mostly they’re amalgamations of TV and film stars, mixed in with traits from my own imagination. I was positively addicted to television and movies as a kid, and I believe that’s why readers find my novels so cinematic. They often tell me that it feels like they are right there in the story.
Steve: Which comes first, plot or characters?
A. J.: I always start with a loose plot. My books tend to be plot-driven, although lately that’s changing. I’ve been spending more time developing characters in my stories. It took awhile for me to realize how important it is to have characters as compelling as the storyline, but in my particular genre, plot will always come first.
Steve: Any comments about writing dialog?
A. J.: Keep it real.
Steve: How do you handle POV?
A. J.: I mostly write in the third person, but there were a lot of things I didn’t understand about POV when I started The Colony, mainly that a story can only be told from one character’s POV at a time. It’s okay to switch POV when you change the location or start a new chapter. This was news to me when I wrote my first draft. I was putting down internal thoughts of every character in the book, even while they were talking to each other! It was a mess. I had to actually go through the entire manuscript and change the POV on every page.
Steve: Do you find background material for (research) your books? If so, how?
A. J.: I spend more time on research than writing. Usually, I’m unfamiliar with the science in my story, but, since my protagonist is often an expert, I have to be one too. Right now, for example, I’m looking up journal articles, talking to botanists and mycologists and taking trips to the New York Botanical Gardens, for my new book which is out next spring and deals a lot with plants. Likewise, I knew nothing about ants when I began The Colony, but over five years I did enough research for an entomology degree.
Steve: What reference works do you use most?
A. J.: I always check out popular science magazines and The New York Times, and I download books if they’re helpful. I read plenty of scientific journals to check my facts and get the details and latest breakthroughs in whatever subject I’m writing about, but there’s no substitute for an expert. Luckily I have a weapons specialist, a slew of scientists, and really smart editors willing to read my novel for accuracy. Oh, and I also reference Wikipedia, which many authors claim they don’t use, but I think they’re lying. It’s a great starting point for many subjects. [Note from Steve: I use it but check it for accuracy when I can.]
A. J. on the Writing Business:
Steve: Do you use an agent?
A. J.: I have a fabulous agent, Adrienne Rosado of Nancy Yost Literary Agency.
Steve: Do you self-publish or traditionally publish?
A.J.: I went the traditional route and have an outstanding editor, Toni Plummer at St. Martin’s Press.
A few personal questions for A. J.:
Steve: What other interests do you have besides writing?
A. J.: I spend a lot of time with my family. We go to the beach, hiking, movies, anywhere that’s loads of fun. It’s important to have balance in your life. If I didn’t write, I’d be unhappy in my family life; and if I didn’t spend time with family, my writing would be terrible.
Steve: What was the last movie you went to see?
A. J.: Star Trek into Darkness, which was great. I’m such a Trekkie of the original series. Mostly though, I watch movies at home. I just saw Psycho on HBO. I never get tired of Hitchcock. They don’t make films like that anymore.
Steve: I want to thank you, A. J., for taking the time to answer these interview questions, and for your candid answers. I’ll check out your books—readers should too. I expect your new book will also do well and you will have a bright and secure future in your chosen genre.
In libris libertas….
[Are you an author who wants to be interviewed? Contact me and we’ll decide if it works. My time and blog space are limited, but it’s a great opportunity to generate some internet buzz about you and your books. You don’t have to be an indie author, but that’s not a negative either. Do you want to interview me? Same deal. A contact form is provided at this website.]
[Note from Steve: Due to the July 4th holiday in the U.S., there will be no post tomorrow. To all my U.S. readers: Have a safe and happy holiday enjoying your families and friends. To all other readers: Bear with us, especially you Brits. We Yanks can go a wee bit overboard sometimes, and I’m not talking about the baseball team–go Red Sox. It’s all in good fun. It’s not every day you can celebrate your country’s independence!]
