Pages

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Writer Interview: Janet Skeslien Charles in Paris

One of the reasons I started attending writing workshops (and founding my own) was to meet people. This summer, at the Paris Writers Workshop in July, I met Janet Skeslien Charles, who discussed her debut novel, Moonlight in Odessa, on a panel. After the discussion, I immediately bought her book. I finished it in just three days. It's one of the best novels I've read all year.

In this interview, the award-winning debut novelist talks about how living abroad inspires her work, how she uses humor so effectively, and why her first book, a memoir, remains unpublished.

Congratulations on a fantastic debut novel. One of the things I loved about it was how the main character, Daria (a Ukrainian), described Americans and the United States. The garage door openers, the sloppy clothes, having a fire in the summer by turning on the A/C, etc. Do you think you would have been able to see America so clearly without having lived outside it yourself? Or how does living abroad influence your writing?

Thank you for your kind words about the novel! For writers, I think it can be helpful to be on the outside. Living in Ukraine and then in France has made me see the United States in a new way.

So many things come down to perspective. For example, Daria was disappointed that the Americans she met didn’t care about their appearances. She had dreamed about meeting Americans who were as elegant as the characters she saw in Hollywood movies; however, in the new book I am working on, Jane, an American who lives in Ukraine, is dismayed that her Odessan neighbors and colleagues judge her solely on what she wears. Each point of view is valid.

Living abroad has made me more aware of the English language and of American culture, which was very helpful in writing Moonlight in Odessa, a story with a Ukrainian narrator.

The characters in Moonlight in Odessa are unique and very well developed. How did you go about creating them? Any advice for other writers on creating great characters?

Thank you. I worked a lot on Daria’s voice and thought about what made her who she is. She is also defined by the choices that she makes. My advice would be not to use narration to tell us who the character is, but rather to use actions to show us who the character is. My goal with the character Harmon was to make the reader re-evaluate him after every chapter, which meant that he had to evolve in a believable way.

My advice would be to write what you want to write, but remember that you must entertain your reader and keep your readers interested in your characters and in your story.

You just won the 2010 Melissa Nathan Award for Comedy Romance. Congrats! Do you have any tips for how to effectively use humor in writing?

I was thrilled to have received the Melissa Nathan Award. In my experience, humor is more challenging to write than drama, though when it is well done, humor seems effortless. It takes a lot of time and experimentation to find the limits.

In this book, I looked at the ironies and really tried to bring them out. Odessa is actually the humor capital of the former Soviet Union, and Odessans can laugh about everything from abortion to life under the Soviet regime.

An estimated 10,000 women enter the United States each year to marry men they meet on sites such as www.loveme.com. If you take a moment to look at this site or read some of the articles on my website, you can see that the subject of email-order brides is pretty dark, so I tried to use humor as a light to shine on this subject. I wanted to make people aware of what these women go through (though some are happy with their American husbands, others go through hell), without preaching or condemning anyone.

You wrote a memoir about living in the Ukraine before your wrote Moonlight in Odessa but didn't end up publishing it. What did you learn from that experience?

The novel Moonlight in Odessa is the first book that I published, but it is not the first I had written. I worked on a book-length memoir. Christopher Vanier, author of the recently published Caribbean Chemistry, helped so much in terms of editing and thinking about dialogue. Although the book was not published, it is how I learned to think about which details to add and which to leave out, how to make dialogue sparkle, and how to write a strong query letter.

How long did it take you to write Moonlight in Odessa and what was your writing schedule like?

It was two years of pure obsession. I did not do or think of anything else. If I was not writing, I was thinking about the next scenes.

In general, I tried to write sections of my novel in the morning and work on other projects (such as writing articles and essays; research on finding the right agent or markets for my essays; and developing query letters) in the afternoon. In the evening, I read, do research, and answer e-mail pertaining to my work. I try to stay away from the internet as much as possible, it is so easy to lose valuable time. But so often I lose the battle!

It took months to craft a polished query and synopsis for Moonlight in Odessa (which was submitted as Email-Order Bride), I went through several drafts. This is a writer’s first impression, and sometimes only impression, on an agent or editor, so it has to be perfect.

You currently live in Paris where you started a writing workshop at Shakespeare and Company. Do you have any advice for other writers abroad who are trying to find a support group?

Persevere until you find writers who are stronger than you are and who are generous enough to share their insights with you and to critique your work. In turn, be generous and read other people’s manuscripts and give thoughtful feedback. It may take time to find a supportive group. I have been part of four writing groups.

I enjoyed my time teaching at Shakespeare & Company because I met so many great writers and readers. I loved analyzing my favorite books with my students because the discussions were always so rich. For writers, reading is as important as writing.

What are you working on now? Will Daria make a return? (I hope so!)

I’m still working on the publicity for
Moonlight in Odessa
– the paperback comes out in the States in September, so I am setting up a month-long blog tour (I did a tour when the book came out in hardcover last fall).

I’m writing another novel set in Odessa. Daria is not the main character, but she does make a few appearances.

Thank you for asking such great questions!

For more visit:
Janet's website: www.jskesliencharles.com
Order her book: Moonlight in Odessa

52 comments:

  1. Thanks for this interview Janet and Chantal - tons of helpful information!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for reading, Kelly. And thanks again to Janet for providing inspiration to all!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Breitling is nonetheless a absolutely absolute allocation with the La Chaux-de-Fonds watchmakers? scene, and cartier replica a lot added importantly, the affiliation is nonetheless a apple acclaimed brand. After over 120 years of internet business, Breitling gucci replica accustomed complete amphitheater and concluded up breeding watches absolutely area Leon Breitling initially set up shop.Tag Heuer Replica Watches is admired because the abnormally finest acting of louis vuitton replica age-previous watches. It is simple to admire all the affluence of best accomplishment apery and get all what you apprehend from eighteen-carat timepieces.For added than 144 a continued time, TAG Heuer has accustomed the celebrated cachet of accomplishment chronographs in a position of barometer time with the replica chanel best attention even admitting at the agnate time blockage far a lot added avante-garde than added Swiss beam businessesWith this array of ranges of accurateness in time measurement, its no shock that Montre IWC is the fendi outlet timekeepingapparatus of alternative at absolutely just a few antic activities. Most of the collections accept taken the names of sports activities autos and accomplished motorsports occasions.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I have to say I am very impressed with the way you efficiently website and your posts are so informative. how to grow bigger boobs | comment perdre du poids rapidement

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for sharing this interview on this blog.
    Greengeeks Promo codes

    ReplyDelete
  6. juicy couture tracksuit, http://www.juicycoutureoutlet.net/
    new balance, http://www.newbalanceshoes.in.net/
    barcelona jersey, http://www.barcelonajerseys.net/
    nike air huarache, http://www.nikeairhuarache.org.uk/
    seattle seahawks jerseys, http://www.seattleseahawksjersey.us/
    michael kors uk, http://www.michaelkorshandbag.co.uk/
    golden state warriors jerseys, http://www.warriorsjersey.com/
    boston celtics, http://www.celticsjersey.com/
    nike roshe run, http://www.nikerosherunshoes.co.uk/
    nfl jerseys, http://www.cheapnfljerseys.org/
    adidas wings shoes, http://www.adidaswings.net/
    san antonio spurs, http://www.sanantoniospursjersey.com/
    cheap uggs, http://www.uggboot.com.co/
    los angeles clippers jerseys, http://www.clippersjerseystore.com/
    canada goose jackets, http://www.canadagoose.us.org/
    michael kors factory online, http://www.michaelkorsfactoryoutletonline.com/
    asics,asics israel,asics shoes,asics running shoes,asics israel,asics gel,asics running,asics gel nimbus,asics gel kayano
    hollister clothing, http://www.hollisterclothingstore.net/
    karen millen uk, http://www.karenmillendressesoutlets.co.uk/
    927

    ReplyDelete
  7. A debt of gratitude is in order for perusing, Kelly. What's more, because of Janet for giving motivation to all!
    buy facebook ratings

    ReplyDelete
  8. delhi escort This is a website for all delhi escorts for pleasure and fun for time pass getting a girlfriend for sometime etc etc... this website provides all services in www.nancydelhiescort.in all delhi escorts in delhi escort in delhi and other areas like gurgoan faridabad noida etc etc...

    ReplyDelete
  9. Toronto Russian Escorts Toronto Escorts Agency Euro Dolls Escorts. Premier Toronto Russian Escort Service.

    ReplyDelete
  10. יועצים עסקיים ייעוץ עיסקי, ייעוץ עסקי, יעוץ עיסקי , יעוץ עסקי .EXPAND הוקמה כחברה ליעוץ עסקי וארגוני במטרה לתת כלים ניהוליים יישומיים למנהלים ובעלי עסקים קטנים ובינוניים.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Gone are the canicule ambit abettor bikes were of bright rates, in the accepted condition, calamity abrupt automated amusing activity are caked the bike which has accomplished the aerial as can be expenses. It would be on the accomplished actual to say that the costs of abettor bikes see counterbalanced at the accompanying of the costs of cartage in the business. chicago car title loans online

    ReplyDelete
  12. Do you acquire your driver's allowance with you? There are acclimatized variables which assay with this best far off point. The alone ID tells the moneylender who they are animate with and that it orchestrates the freeholder recorded on the title. Check Cashing

    ReplyDelete
  13. hi its nice to read this really its good article askmegrocery coupons

    ReplyDelete
  14. I was looking for something like this…I found it quiet interesting, hopefully, you will keep posting such blogs….Keep sharing.
    JEE MAINS 2017
    JEE MAIN 2017

    ReplyDelete
  15. It turned out dependably consequently exciting for you to planning by your internet site. Precisely what a special files, thanks a lot pertaining to giving. Currently click this Cash Advance This will likely support us a real great amount inside my mastering.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Nice post! keep up the good work The Blogging Arena

    ReplyDelete
  17. nice post! Our company specializes in providing all kinds of insect repellent door:

    cửa lưới chống muỗi

    cửa lưới dạng xếp

    lưới chống côn trùng 

    please come with us!

    ReplyDelete
  18. The process of dismantling furniture, especially large pieces of wooden furniture such as bedrooms, dining rooms, etc., should be done by a carpenter who specializes in dealing with furniture of all kinds, which ensures that no errors are encountered while dealing with the dismantling of any piece which may lead to a break or Damage to some parts, which increases the financial burden on the family, and so should be the case in dealing with all furniture during the process of disassembly and installation in particular.
    شركة نقل عفش
    شركة نقل اثاث من الرياض الى جدة

    شركة نقل عفش من الرياض الى جدة
    شركة نقل عفش بالقطيف

    ReplyDelete
  19. برای خرید زعفران به این سایت مراجعه کنید

    ReplyDelete
  20. برای خرید انواع ویلچر ،ویلچر ساده ویلچر ارتوپدی ،و یلچر کودکان ،ویلچر سبک ویلچر حمامیhttps://tavanno.com/search-products/category-wheelchairs

    ReplyDelete
  21. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  22. The Most Trusted Medical Alert Service in Canada
    Personal Emergency Response Systems

    ReplyDelete
  23. There are a number of considerations when buying car tyres.
    Kumho Tyres Perth

    ReplyDelete
  24. Contact Modern Supplies Leading Rockfon® Australia Distributor.
    Rockfon Distributor

    ReplyDelete
  25. اخبار اقتصادی ایران
    Eghtesadafarin economic news
    اقتصاد آفرین، سامانه جامع تحلیل اخبار اقتصادی
    اخبار اقتصادی ایران

    ReplyDelete
  26. over here you can try here check my blog Website hop over to this site click

    ReplyDelete