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Ask them questions!

Hi there, I have a question for Megan. As a fan of all of your books from the beginning of your career, how would you say you've changed or matured as a writer? What topics and themes would you still like to explore?

I suppose I have another one, or sort of a comment: After reading Dare Me last winter (and anticipating The Fever), I asked some of my peers about what they thought of the book. My girlfriends adored it, as did I; we thought Dare Me was complex, bold, and had inventive characters. My male friends, however, thought it was a silly book about teenage girls.

How do you respond to this type of criticism? Have you received professional criticism for writing about teenage girls in this capacity? How do you defend this storytelling to people who dismiss it?

I;m a big fan, thanks so much for doing this.

Megan Abbott launched her latest book, The Fever, at BookCourt in Brooklyn on Tuesday. She answered some questions and spoke briefly about the book. There is a write-up on that event here:

For Jeff, Is Sam your favorite protagonist. Do you practice Parkour?

For Jeff,

I have read 3 novels with Sam Capra's character. One thing I've found is interesting cocktail recipes in them.. is that something you invent yourself or someone helps you with that? It's a simple question but with that I want to get broader perspective of how you come up with various ideas when you write..

And also about Parkour.. Like Albert asked in previous comment.. do you or have you practiced Parkour?

Thank you for giving your fans opportunity to ask direct questions to you...

For either or both. I'm currently finishing Face Off edited by David Baldacci. Though I seldom need more to read - just ask my wife - I've found new authors through this book. A great way to get yourself introduced. Have you guys considered submitting if they (and I hope they do) do another volume? If so, which other author/characters would you like to work with?

Hi Megan,

Hope you enjoyed your time home in Michigan and it was nice to meet you and hear you talk about The Fever at your Troy, MI stop. I have two questions: The first is, what ultimately is your goal for your writing career; when you hand up your pen, so to speak, what is it that you want to look back on and know you've accomplished? The second question is whether or not there is a specific work of literature that you have come across as said, 'Wow, I wish I would have written that!'. Appreciate your time and response.

Megan,

Beth & Addy in Dare Me would probably have despised Deenie, Lise & Gabby. Were you intending to create characters who were more commonplace & lived less intense lives, & to show their tragic aspects too? At least that was my take.

Albert wrote: "For Jeff, Is Sam your favorite protagonist. Do you practice Parkour?"

Hi Albert: I am very fond of Sam, but it's hard to say he's my favorite. I like all my protagonists. But Sam has a lot of mental toughness that I wish I'd had at his age, so I definitely admire him (while keeping in mind his faults and shortcomings.) Re parkour, I don't do it myself--my knees couldn't take the strain--but I am lucky to have one of the top parkour runners in the UK who has shown me what Sam's runs would be like (such as the one at the beginning of ADRENALINE) and kindly helps me with that part of the research. Thanks for the question!

Rob wrote: "For either or both. I'm currently finishing Face Off edited by David Baldacci. Though I seldom need more to read - just ask my wife - I've found new authors through this book. A great way to get..."

Hi Rob: FACE OFF (I haven't read it yet) seems like a really cool project--if I was asked to contribute, I'd certainly consider it. Hmm, hard to know who I'd like to pair Sam with -- maybe Myron Bolitar from Harlan Coben's novels? Or Tess Monaghan from Laura Lippman's. Or any of Megan's protagonists--although they wouldn't be old enough to go into one of Sam's bars. :-) Great question, thanks!

Dhaval wrote: "For Jeff,

I have read 3 novels with Sam Capra's character. One thing I've found is interesting cocktail recipes in them.. is that something you invent yourself or someone helps you with that? It'..."

Hi Dhaval: I do research into cocktails to try and find one that will match well with the book. I'm lucky to be friends with a guy named Brad Thomas Parsons, who is a James Beard Award winner for his wonderful book BITTERS and is a cocktail expert. He's helped me design the cocktails for each of the Sam books. (and coming up with a new cocktail is actually kind of labor intensive, and I still need to do that for INSIDE MAN.)
Re parkour: don't do that when you've had one of those cocktails. :-) As I noted in another reply, I don't run parkour myself, but I have an expert runner who kindly helps me with the research. thanks!

Kenny wrote: "Hi Megan and Jeff. I hope that summer is well on your side. I would just like to ask a couple of questions. This can be answered by either one of you.

1] In your written works, does your protagoni..."

Hi Kenny: Hmm, that's a good question and I hope Megan will answer it, too. My answer is: not always. I'm not writing to advance an agenda or give my life philosophy to the world--there are writers who do that, and well, but my only goal really is to tell you a good story. That said, I do think that Sam is basically an optimist, despite the terrible things he's survived--and I am an optimist as well.
re reading noir fiction, Megan is the expert there--but noir, to me always seems a cautionary tale. Be careful what you wish for, be careful how you get what you want. I do think people read crime fiction because a) they want a great story with a strong plot and b) usually order is restored to the world. We don't always get that in real life. Last night at the signing Megan and I ended up talking about the crime novel as social novel. .where you can have a great, satisfying plot that engages a big idea (in the case of INSIDE MAN, what do we owe our families?) and the moral stakes are high. Great question, thanks!

Ask them questions!

Publishing question. How long does it usually take from one you consider a novel finished to that book's pub date?

Hi Megan/Jeff!

Quick question - how much of a role does theme play when starting a novel? Is it something you think develops as you write, or is it something you consciously map out as you plan? Also, outline vs. winging it? Thanks!

Jess wrote: "Hi there, I have a question for Megan. As a fan of all of your books from the beginning of your career, how would you say you've changed or matured as a writer? What topics and themes would you s..."

Thank you, Jess! I feel like I'm always trying to get better (one of the big technical reaches in The Fever was the multiple points of view and the bigger "world"), but have so much more I'd like to do. I'd like to write something that stretched over longer periods of time and had more of a tapestry of characters, in the manner of James Ellroy or, for that matter, Dickens (why not reach for the sky, right? wink).
So grateful for the kind words re: DARE ME! I have had many men come up to me and say they were very hesitant to read it but once they began, they were hooked and realized it was essentially a book about power. But you're never going to please all readers. Maybe to do so would be to avoid all risk right? And taking risks is so important--as a writer and as a reader, don't you think?

Kenny wrote: "Hi Megan and Jeff. I hope that summer is well on your side. I would just like to ask a couple of questions. This can be answered by either one of you.

1] In your written works, does your protagoni..."

Fascinating question, Kenny! I agree with Jeff: my goal really is to tell you a good story. But I do think the books reflect my fascinations and obsessions and possibly the way I view human psychology (to get a bit fancy). The books show what I'm interested in, what my passions are. And I often start out with protagonists and antagonists, but as the book develops, all the characters become more ambiguous--which I think reflects my belief that people are pretty darn complicated and no one is all good or all bad.
What do readers get from reading noir fiction? I think there's a deep satisfaction in seeing our most primal emotions and drives (desire, loyalty, ambition, envy) laid bare and explored. And yes, where the stakes, as Jeff says, are very, very high. For me, noir embodies all our secrets feelings and sets them in high relief, which can be exorcising in some way.
What do you think?

Ian wrote: "Megan Abbott launched her latest book, The Fever, at BookCourt in Brooklyn on Tuesday. She answered some questions and spoke briefly about the book. There is a write-up on that event here:

..."

Thanks so much for this, Ian!! It was such a fun night and BookCourt is an incredible store.

Favorite recent read? I read 1998's FIFTY-TO-ONE by Charles Ardai and liked it a lot.

Robert wrote: "Hi Megan,

Hope you enjoyed your time home in Michigan and it was nice to meet you and hear you talk about The Fever at your Troy, MI stop. I have two questions: The first is, what ultimately is ..."

Thanks so much for coming out to Troy, Robert!
I would say my goal is always to engage the reader as much as possible and that's my career goal as well. I grew up loving books so much and my favorite books always felt like whispers in the ear--so intimate. And I strive for books like that, books that grab you but also stay with you.

As for the second question--so many! A few: anything by Daniel Woodrell, especially Maid's Version; Donna Tartt's Secret History; anything by Shirley Jackson; also some great non-fiction crime books like Robert Kolker's moving LOST GIRLS.

Bill wrote: "Megan,

Beth & Addy in Dare Me would probably have despised Deenie, Lise & Gabby. Were you intending to create characters who were more commonplace & lived less intense lives, & to show their trag..."

Bill, you are so right! and yes, that was my intent. Dare Me was meant to be hyperbolic in that way, with girls that live hyperbolic lives. but the girls in The Fever are closer to home for me. The kind of girl I was, the kinds of girls I knew. Which I think you need in a book when such big things happen. You need some grounding, you know?

I've never read a novel by Donna Tartt but she did a fine narration of TRUE GRIT. Wait a minute, form of a question...

Did you know Donna Tartt did a fine narration of TRUE GRIT?

Jeff wrote: "Rob wrote: "For either or both. I'm currently finishing Face Off edited by David Baldacci. Though I seldom need more to read - just ask my wife - I've found new authors through this book. A grea..."

I think it's such a great anthology--without recurring characters, it's hard for me to imagine myself in one like that but I'd love to see Sam Capra tango with Tess Monaghan!

I have two questions for Megan!

1) I find it fascinating how you manage to add technology as an extension of violence (Dare me) and uncertainty (The Fever)in teenagers lives. It seems that it makes your novels more real. Why do you think a lot of works ignore this? and to you - what's the importance of writing about technology and teenage girls? It seems like such a rich topic but it's often left behind.

2) This is an especific question about The Fever and it contains spoilers (just in case!!): me and a friend were discussing about Eli's and Deenie's relationship and how sometimes it felt borderline romantic. What made it more interesting to me is that they never noticed (Deenie had sex with a guy that looked like her brother, Eli wishing Deenie wasn't his sister,etc) . It helped creating the book's unsettling atmosphere. Was that on purpose? If so, how did you work towards it/what did you want to achieve?

Thank you for your time! I'm a huge fan of both Dare me and The Fever and can't wait to read your next work.

Alex wrote: "Hi Megan/Jeff!

Quick question - how much of a role does theme play when starting a novel? Is it something you think develops as you write, or is it something you consciously map out as you plan? ..."

Hey, Alex! Theme develops as I go--otherwise, I think the book would become too academic (given that I have an academic background). It needs to be organic and I frequently don't know what the themes might be until someone tells me. (This is happening a lot with The Fever!)
And no outline, but I do envision my three acts always at the start!
How about you?

Gerard wrote: "Ask them questions!

Publishing question. How long does it usually take from one you consider a novel finished to that book's pub date?"

Varies greatly! Frequently a year or more!

Gerard wrote: "Favorite recent read? I read 1998's FIFTY-TO-ONE by Charles Ardai and liked it a lot."

We Were Liars by E. Lockhart--so good! And Jeff's INSIDE MAN, natch!

Megan wrote: "Alex wrote: "Hi Megan/Jeff!

Quick question - how much of a role does theme play when starting a novel? Is it something you think develops as you write, or is it something you consciously map out ..."

I outlined my first book, but left room for the characters to do their own thing (which they did!). Second book less so, and I'm flying a little blind on the new one, which is exciting!

Thanks for the answer, Megan! You and Jeff are the best.

Why can I only think of inane questions?
What are you doing for the fourth?
Ever done a ghostwriting job?

Gerard wrote: "Ask them questions!

Publishing question. How long does it usually take from one you consider a novel finished to that book's pub date?"

Hi Gerard: That can be up to a year. But considering I still make edits at the copyedit stage (and then minor edits on the galley, "final page" stage), it could also just be a matter of six months. Thanks!

Alex wrote: "Hi Megan/Jeff!

Quick question - how much of a role does theme play when starting a novel? Is it something you think develops as you write, or is it something you consciously map out as you plan? ..."

Hey Alex! In writing INSIDE MAN, I knew from day one that the theme would center around family--because Sam Capra was going to go undercover into a criminal family. But that's just the seed of the idea, and the execution can change the theme as you're writing. For instance, all the references to KING LEAR in the book weren't really part of the plan when I first knew I wanted to write a big international thriller that incorporated a family drama. That came over time. I think the theme really became "what do we owe our families?", just because of the nature of the story as this family began to turn on each other, and face an outside danger as well. I hope that makes sense, great question!

Alex wrote: "Hi Megan/Jeff!

Quick question - how much of a role does theme play when starting a novel? Is it something you think develops as you write, or is it something you consciously map out as you plan? ..."

re outlining: I do a very rough outline when I start. I like to have an idea of where I'm going. It can change quite a bit as I get to know the characters better. When I'm near the final act of the book, I reoutline the whole book to make sure I've got all my scenes in order, that the emotional payoffs are well set up, etc. Fiction has to be a bit more orderly than life. :-) But some authors outline in great detail (Ken Follett, Jeffery Deaver, Elizabeth George) and others don't outline at all (Harlan Coben, Michael Connelly). You have to do what feels right for you. . .thanks!

Gerard wrote: "Favorite recent read? I read 1998's FIFTY-TO-ONE by Charles Ardai and liked it a lot."

I really did love Megan's THE FEVER, not saying that just because we're doing this chat together. It's a great book. Recently I've enjoyed AFTER I'M GONE by Laura Lippman, DOCTOR SLEEP by Stephen King, and have been rereading some Eric Ambler and Patricia Highsmith novels. Also am very much looking forward to being home so I can read Michael Koryta's newest, THOSE WHO WISH ME DEAD.

So many good questions (Can't wait to reply to yours, Brunella!). Heading to the airport but back again tonight!

I'm going to ask Megan a question since we didn't get to talk about it last night at the signing: what are the books that have influenced you, what books did you read when you were younger than you have returned to, again and again?

We'll both be back later after our flights today...thanks for your patience! Great questions, great chat!

What's a bigger waste of time, Twitter or Facebook?

Is publicity easier after becoming more established and popular? Are you able to get better press and more interviews, or do you still have to keep pushing your name and new novel out there?

Gerard wrote: "What's a bigger waste of time, Twitter or Facebook?"

They actually seem rather different to me. I use Twitter as a news feed and it's easy to share info more often. Facebook is full of people I know (so easier to waste time) but they also might be more dedicated fans. It's hard to say. Sorry for the delays in answering: Megan and I were both delayed getting out of Phoenix, and I've just gotten home, had dinner, played with dogs that missed me, and gotten onto Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. :-)

Gerard wrote: "Is publicity easier after becoming more established and popular? Are you able to get better press and more interviews, or do you still have to keep pushing your name and new novel out there?"

Press is never easy, but yes, I think it gets somewhat easier the more established you are. But at the same time, the press can be interested in the newer writers more than the ones they've written about before. People have so many other things to do than to read books, it's hard for ANY book to get press. So yes, You have to keep at it, and your publisher has to keep at it.

Brunella wrote: "I have two questions for Megan!

1) I find it fascinating how you manage to add technology as an extension of violence (Dare me) and uncertainty (The Fever)in teenagers lives. It seems that it ma..."

Brunella--thank you so much for these incredibly compelling questions. I love what you say about technology operating as an extension of violence in Dare Me and uncertainty in The Fever. I think it's probably left behind a lot in novels for the same reasons I struggled with it when I first began writing contemporary novels with teenage characters--for some pretty fundamental reasons like dealing with text messages. That is, no one really wants to read text messages in a novel as they are truly written (all abbreviations, typos, etc.). But soon enough I began to see the potential for technology and its pervasiveness as a device to increase suspense, show character ...and maybe most of all it enabled me to explore the more veiled ways technology reveals our own anxieties, unconscious desires. In The Fever it becomes, in some ways, this blank slate onto which all the characters' deepest fears are projected.

SPOILER ALERT
Boy, that's a great question about Eli and Deenie. Someone else recently asked me about that and I stumbled over the answer so let me try again: I think opposite sex siblings so close in age going through the same adolescent upheavals--well, it's inevitable that Eli would have to negotiate the weirdness of involvements with girls who are his sister's peers and vice versa. There's something fundamentally confusing and uncomfortable about it that I wanted to mine. And also, I think Eli and Deenie have been so battered by their parents' split that they rely on each other deeply in a way that they'll carry with them always--and that lends an intensity to their relationship.

And, of course, as always with novels there are those sneaky aspects you didn't necessarily intend but that just shudder forward as you write. And they're often the most interesting aspects!

Such great questions--thank you!

Jeff wrote: "I'm going to ask Megan a question since we didn't get to talk about it last night at the signing: what are the books that have influenced you, what books did you read when you were younger than you..."

Great question! The books I read while young that probably linger with me the most when I write are Judy Blume (of course), Little Women, the Brontes, the Lois Duncan novels (especially Daughters of Eve, Stranger with My Face, Summer of Fear). I remember reading and re-reading spooky books like The Witch of Blackbird Pond and Jane-Emily. I loved anything set in the past and anything scary. I found true crime books pretty early for both reasons.

Later, the hardboiled masters (Chandler, Cain) and gothic writers like Shirley Jackson, Daphne DuMaurier and the Southern Gothic.

How about you?

Megan wrote: "Jeff wrote: "I'm going to ask Megan a question since we didn't get to talk about it last night at the signing: what are the books that have influenced you, what books did you read when you were you..."

This was the topic we didn't get to at the signing, so I'm glad we're doing it now. As a kid I loved the books of Madeleine L'Engle. A WRINKLE IN TIME made me want to be a writer. Each summer I reread some of her books, and I always find something new to think about--she was extraordinary at writing about family. I also loved Lloyd Alexander's Prydain Chronicles, which are adventure stories based on Welsh mythology, and the Hornblower books, which hold up really well--they're very tightly written. I also read Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Arthur Conan Doyle, and Robert Ludlum at a younger age.

The Prydain Chronicles are still fun. I listened to the series on audio within the past year or two.

Oh, and for young readers: Edward Eager. Laura Lippman and I are on a mission to get people reading him again. Marvelous books about bright, capable kids who encounter magic. HALF MAGIC is my all time favorite of his, a truly wonderful book that works on so many levels.