Interview with Jody Feldman

​What does your creative process look like?

​It starts with a word, a phrase, or a thought, sparked by something I’ve seen or heard or dreamt; something that sticks in my mind. I’m probably working on something else, so I’ll note it in my idea folder. That’s it for now; when I start writing a book, I’ve made a commitment to finish, at least, a semi-polished draft. Back to the spark. Usually, will fade. But if it continues to tug on my imagination and has me thinking about it incessantly, I get serious. What follows are weeks or months of ruminating and notetaking. It’s not until the idea are spilling out my ears AND I hear the voice of the main character dictating a first sentence that I’ll open a file and begin. After that, look out! I’ll write fast and sloppy; anywhere from 1,000 to 7,000 words a day until The End. And then revision. And more revision. And more…

​What do you think draws readers to your work?

​Conversational style. Always a bit of mystery/intrigue even when that’s not the point of the story. The fact that the characters, in a corner, tend to find previously unrecognized strengths, and they realize there’s more to them than they even know.

Outside of writing, what do you like to do?

​I cook (and do it pretty well I’m told), read (of course), work crossword and other puzzles, travel, watch football, golf, and travel. As for  collecting, I’ve chose to collect experiences rather than specific things.

How do you celebrate a book release?

​I do two things. 1. I plant a tree as a token gesture to offset the resources that writing and publishing uses. 2. I buy myself a piece of artwork that, in some way, reflects a scene or mood of the book.

How did you initially get into writing?

​I was a freshman in college, majoring in psychology, until that day when I realized how absolutely bored I was with my classes. I HAD to change majors which also meant that I needed to figure out what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. Nothing excited me. But I was at the University of Missouri, home of the Mizzou School of Journalism, the world’s first and, arguably, best J School. So, why not? It turned out I could write well, write fast, and most important, I was never bored.

What is a cause you care about? 

​The First Amendment; particularly, free speech. Freedom of expression. Also, freedom to allow our children access to books from all viewpoints. 

Who are the authors who have inspired you?

​Donald J. Sobol, author of the Encyclopedia Brown series who first made me aware that there are real people behind the words we read. Yes, I understood the concept of the author, but each little vignette made me wonder how he came up with each mini-mystery. Could I have done that? No, I thought. I know differently now. 

What is your advice for future/aspiring authors? 

​My standard three-part answer used to be: 1) Read, read, read. Write, write, write. 2). Finish any story you start. 3). Once you finish, promise not to look at your story for the next two month, until you can view it with fresh eyes. Those are still valid, but now I stick to just one piece of advice: Get your face out of your devices! By experiencing life and the world around you, firsthand, you give your mind time and space to generate YOUR thoughts and YOUR ideas that will lead to new and fresh and strong stories that will leap off the page.

What does your working space look like? 

​There’s a desk. On the desk is a big old computer screen. And books and papers and pens. On the printer is Hubert, the printer mascot. He’s a stuffed turtle. I don’t know how he got there, and I don’t know who named him Hubert, but there he lives. What else is on my desk? It depends on how deep I am into the story. The messier the desk, the more I’m writing. Right now, you can barely see the light-colored wood on the surface.

Talk to us about music. What are your favorite songs for writing? How do you switch it up? Do you have a theme song for yourself as a writing professional?

​It seems that each book I write comes with a theme song. I don’t look for one. Instead, it’ll be something I randomly heard one day. The reason may not be obvious to anyone but me, but it keeps me on track and captures an essence of why I began writing this book or character in the first place. This practice started with THE SEVENTH LEVEL and Bigger Than My Body by John Mayer. For NO WAY HOME, Paradise by Coldplay. And for my current WIP, We Gotta Get Out of This Place by The Animals.

What has it been like working with Dunham Literary? 

​Just when you think you’ve got it made (I have an agent!!!), the real work begins. Jennie will not let you get away with less than your best. And her instincts have been spot on.

What are your favorite moments of both suspense and happiness in the NO WAY HOME?

​There’s a point in NO WAY HOME when Tess, the main character, snaps and tries to turn the tables on her tormentors. I loved writing and re-reading that scene. Then, there’s a meet-cute I never expected to write and didn’t know was happening until I finished the scene. 

What are your favorite jokes and quotes in the book? 

I had fun with all the parts where Tess, the main character, is struggling with and mangling Italian and her host family is doing the same with their English. At one point Tess reflects:
I have no clue whether I said the crypt was scary or it had a lot of gold.

Very early in the book, I like how this tells a lot about Tess… without telling a lot:
I knew she was gorgeous—we’ve FaceTimed her and her parents weekly since we were paired up—but seeing her in person… Is there a step above breathtaking? If every girl in Italy is like Sofia, I’ll be utterly ignorable.

And this, also from Tess:
Don’t make it sound like a crime. I mean, it was, but I feel guilty enough.

And who knew I could write haikus?