The Questions Every Writer Asks - Featuring Amazon Bestselling Novelist Steven Jay Griffel
Steven Jay Griffel became an Amazon #1 Bestselling Author with his debut novel, Forty Years Later. Since then, he has written five more novels that have been published by my company. Left On Main Street, the most recent, is a story of love and loss, told with kindness and humor.
With a background in writing, editing and publishing, Griffel brings a lifetime of experience and a refined sense of storytelling to his work. In addition, he earned a publishing imprint with Stay Thirsty Publishing where his keen eye and vast experience enable him to be on the hunt for young novelists with a future.
I visited with Steven Jay at his home in New York for these questions.
DUSTY SANG: How did you first get started in writing and what inspired you to pursue a career as an author?
STEVEN JAY GRIFFEL: The summer of my twelfth year was a busy one for me: I was headed into a special progress class in the fall that would allow me to complete my seventh and eighth grades in a single year. But before that special program began, I had to complete a fairly extensive summer reading list that included Rudyard Kipling, Arthur Conan Doyle, Robert Louis Stevenson, Mary Renault, Mark Twain, and others. That summer, age twelve, I was introduced to great storytelling—and it changed my life.
At 14, I began high school in a special scholarship class. We had six majors: Science; Math; Foreign Language, Social Studies; and two periods of English: Grammar and Mechanics; Literature and Writing. By the end of my senior year, I had a good foundation for a future career as an author.
At 16, I entered Queens College. I chose the school in large part because it offered a BA in Creative Writing. Later, after completing my MA (American Literature, Fordham University), I went to work at McGraw-Hill publishing company, hellbent on becoming an editor by day and a writer by night.
DUSTY SANG: How do you approach the writing process? Do you have any tips for staying motivated and avoiding writer's block?
STEVEN JAY GRIFFEL: In 1944, on the day he turned 17, my father left high school to join the Navy. He came back with his pride and parts mostly intact—and with dozens of stories, many shockingly lurid. But he never went back to school. Instead, he worked in a jewelry factory for the next forty years, never complaining; never missing a day of work. I think of him when I sit down to write. I see writing as my job. And as a privilege. I almost never take a day off. I don’t give in to writer’s block. Now seventy years old and finishing my eighth novel, I also see my books as my legacy—to my readers, my children, and my grandchildren.
DUSTY SANG: What is the most challenging aspect of writing for you and how do you overcome it?
STEVEN JAY GRIFFEL: I always write about my lives, the one I’ve actually lived and the many I’ve imagined for myself. For me, there is no single aspect of writing that is most challenging. Research, Writing, Revising—it’s all hard work.
When I was a younger writer, I wrote in the first-person (as many new writers do), thinking it would be easier for me to establish a natural voice. But writing about my real life proved problematical for my wife and friends. Having moved to third-person narratives, I no longer worry about self-incrimination and embarrassing those who are dear to me.
As to overcoming writing obstacles, I trust my heart to choose the right conflicts to explore … and my ears to shape my words into rhythmic sentences that glide gracefully, one into the next.
DUSTY SANG: What do you consider to be the key elements of a successful book, and how do you ensure that you're delivering those elements to your readers?
STEVEN JAY GRIFFEL: In this case, I will regard “a successful book” to mean a quality novel since that is the subject I know best.
As to the elements of a successful novel, I believe none is more important than deep, engaging characterization. Everything in a novel relates to or results from its characters. Characters provide the story’s action, conflict, and suspense. Without characters, there is no plot. Put two characters in an empty room, and you still might have an exciting story.
Also, readers see parts of themselves in every one of the book’s characters. These identifications create empathy; this is what draws a reader into a book. Some people will say plot is the most important element of a book—but there is no plot without characters.
DUSTY SANG: How do you handle criticism or negative reviews of your work?
STEVEN JAY GRIFFEL: Years ago, when my first novels were published, I was especially sensitive to negative reviews. More than once, my publisher had to talk me off a high and narrow ledge.
As a veteran novelist I’m less sensitive. If I think a book is strong and my publisher loves it, and a strong majority of readers love it, I don’t worry much about outlier reviews. If a reader cites a minor fault that I think is justified, I acknowledge it and move on. I’m always working on a new novel.
DUSTY SANG: How does the world of the creative writing classroom differ from the world of publishers and audiences?
STEVEN JAY GRIFFEL: Students in an undergraduate creative writing classroom are encouraged to experiment. Those who employ fresh and daring techniques will be praised—even if their imaginative forays result in flawed narratives. Like scientists, writers must learn from their experiments. Undergrad writing classrooms are petri dishes for young writers’ minds.
At the graduate level, students are generally more career focused, so there likely will be more discussion of a manuscript’s traditional assets: setting, plot, characterization, etc. But there may also be frank talk about commercial realities: words like niche, publishable, saleable may be introduced into the discussion. Workshop instructors are also likely to discuss the roles of editors and proofreaders; beta readers and writer groups; agents and publishers. Good graduate writing classrooms should prepare writers for the real world.
DUSTY SANG: What advice do you have for new writers trying to break into the industry?
STEVEN JAY GRIFFEL: Don’t give up your day job:
Very few fiction writers of any age make a living solely from the sale of their books and stories. Most writers need at least one stable source of income to pay for their necessities. Some writers require multiple sources. Finding a wealthy spouse or buying a million-dollar lottery ticket are exciting financial strategies, but long shots.
Prepare yourself for rejection:
Every writer gets rejected. Some of the greatest novels in American history were rejected a hundred times before finding a taker. Learn to take comfort in those personalized rejections that address you by name and mention something positive about your work. Keep these personalized props near at hand for easy reference during tough times.
DUSTY SANG: How do you balance the creative aspects of writing with the business side of being an author, such as marketing, promotion and building your brand?
STEVEN JAY GRIFFEL: My creative writing comes first—and second. With my remaining strength I write letters, design proposals, and contact possible venues where I might lecture, present, or lead a discussion of my latest book. Marketing is grueling, time-consuming, and all too often frustrating. On the plus side, it is wonderfully gratifying to personally set up an event and then meet one’s readers.
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