On Wednesday, October 15th, at 6:30 pm, the Crestwood Library and the Friends of Crestwood Library will host an Evening of Wine & Words, kicking off Crestwood Library Centennial festivities. The evening will feature free wine tasting and an author talk by novelist Jamie Brenner. Known for her books Blush, The Wedding Sisters, and The Forever Summer, and more, Jamie will share her writing insights and inspirations. She will also be discussing her new book, The Weekend Crashers, available for purchase on November 4th.
In preparation for this event, Crestwood staff member Hanora Woodruff contacted her with a few questions that would allow library patrons to learn more about Jamie and her work prior to the event on the 15th. The correspondence went as follows:
H: Starting off, you’ve mentioned in one of your Instagram posts that you started in the publishing industry. What did you do while working in publishing, and what prompted you to make the switch to writing?
J: I’d always wanted to be a novelist, but I didn’t believe that was a realistic goal. So I decided if I couldn’t be an author, I’d at least work with authors. So I spent years in book publishing in lots of different capacities: publicity, scouting, even agenting. And the more I worked with authors, the more I believed I could do it, too. Or, that I should at least try.
H: How has your background shaped your work, both in what you’ve read and what you’ve experienced? Are there any tricks that you’ve adopted from your favorite authors, aspects you’ve tried to emulate, or experiences that you’ve drawn from that you utilize in your work?
J: Being a lifelong reader and book lover is key. As any reader knows, there’s nothing like the feeling of being completely sucked into a book, the feeling of never wanting it to end. When I’m writing a book, I try to remember the times when I’ve felt that way, the scenes or characters that stayed with me long after I finished. I want to be able to give that feeling to readers. So when I’m making creative decisions, sometimes I have to step back and say, what version of this scene/word/ending would hit you hardest as a reader. And it helps!
H: A quick look at your Instagram will reveal a plethora of book reviews on various narrative nonfiction books and novels. What motivated you to start posting them? Recommending the books, spreading their lessons, or bringing attention to certain issues? What makes you sit down with your knitting, set up a camera, and talk about these books?
J: As much as I love fiction, lately, I’m finding nonfiction much more interesting. When I read novels, I learn a lot about craft. When I read nonfiction, I learn a lot about life.
H: There’s a common practice in fiction writing called ‘write what you know’. If you know a lot about a subject or topic, it is easier to write a believable story and dialogue about it, but it’s a double-edged sword. Some readers may get lost in the concepts if the writer employs a lot of jargon that is familiar to them but not to the audience.
Your Instagram heavily features your passion for knitting, and your latest novel, The Weekend Crashers, features a mother-daughter duo who knit. Lines such as “In knitting, one can easily fix mistakes by picking apart each stitch and starting anew. But life's tangles aren't so easily mended.” in the description organically incorporate your real-world interests into your written work while still keeping the playful but sometimes serious tone of the novel. How do you balance the role of 'what you know' with the plot and characters? How do you keep the story from losing the reader?
J: I’ve found, ironically, that it’s easier to write about things I don’t already know about. It gives me more perspective to consider, what’s interesting about this topic not just to me, but to my potential reader? When I write something I know really well and I’m really passionate about, like knitting, I sometimes get too deep into the detail that a typical person might not care about. In those situations, a good editor is key to help make creative decisions. And no matter what the “subject” of a novel might be, whether it’s knitting or wine or jewelry design, I put the characters first. They need to do what they need to do for their emotional arc and to keep the story moving. The particulars, the details, almost become window dressing.
H: What are you most proud of regarding your writing? Any particular accolades you’ve earned or skills you’ve honed over the years?
J: Just being a published author is the thing I’m most proud of. It’s something I’d wanted since I was very young but never believed it could actually happen. Sometimes, when I’m have a difficult day, I remind mind myself: The hard part’s over. You’re already an author.
H: And finally, what words of wisdom do you have for any aspiring writers just starting in fiction and romance writing?
J: Keep at it and make the time. Even writing just 300 words a day, consistently, will ultimately become 70,000 words. And remember: you have to be willing to write something badly first. There’s no way around it. Not for any of us! Oh, and always keep reading.
We hope you’ll come to join us October 15th to hear more from Jamie, enjoy some wine and support Friends of Crestwood Library!
Hanora Woodruff is a Part-Time Clerk and patron of Yonkers Crestwood Library since childhood. She recently graduated from Stony Brook University with a degree in Biology and Creative Writing. Her favorite reads at the moment are Sylvia Plath’s poems.