The AUTHORNOMICS Interview Series with Pam Binder
By: Andrea Hurst
With a publishing industry that is ever in flux, it can be hard for an aspiring author to figure out what information is relevant and what she needs to do to be successful. Recognizing this, literary agent Andrea Hurst and writer and blogger Katie Flanagan present a series of weekly interviews with publishing industry specialists. The AUTHORNOMICS Series features literary agents, editors, authors, marketing experts and more talking about their opinions on the publishing industry, writing, and what a writer needs to know.
If you have questions for upcoming guests on the AUTHORNOMICS Interview Series, email them to authornomics@andreahurst.com.
Interview with Author Pam Binder
Pam Binder is an award-winning and New York Times bestselling author. Pam is the President of PNWA and an instructor in the University of Washington’s Popular Fiction extension program. She is currently working on an Irish Historical set in the 16th century.
1. You wear many hats in the publishing business. As an author, instructor and president of Pacific Northwest Writers Association, what is the best advice you can give up-and-coming writers in this new digital age?
It is still all about the writing. Learn all you can. Attend workshops, conference, critique groups. Study your craft.
2. You are the author of bestselling time-travel romances. Can you tell us more about how you get your inspiration and plot ideas?
Inspiration comes at unexpected times, but the advice I always give is to continually be expanding your knowledge base. My favorite channel is the History Channel. And of course travel, meet new people, expand your horizons, look for adventure. If you do, you’ll have more ideas than time to turn them into novels.
3. What is your writing process like? Do you revise as you write or revise once a draft is done? What is your favorite part of writing, and what is your least favorite?
I write long hand first, letting the ideas, plot and dialogue flow. I’ll take the scene and revise it, adding texture, layers, and emotion. I never count how many times I go over the same scene. My favorite part of writing is creating characters and plot lines. I love when I discover a twist and turn I hadn’t expected. My least favorite part of writing is — well I don’t have one. Very geeky that way. I love the whole process.
4. Can you talk about some of the obstacles you had to overcome to get published?
Believing in yourself. Doubting that you can write. I keep reminding myself that writing is a long distance race, not a sprint.
5. How has the publishing world changed since you were first published in 1997 and now?
Of course the digital age is a big change and everyone says it is harder to get published. But in 1997 people were also saying how hard it is to get published. My thought is that if you listen to all the people who say it can’t be done, you’ll give up, thinking it is just too hard – why bother.
6. As president of the Pacific Northwest Writers’ Association (PNWA), what do you consider the most important role for a writers’ association?
A writers’ association’s main goal should be to help writers in their career, from their first story idea to building a career as a published author. Give them updated industry information. Encourage them to always improve their craft. A well informed author is a successful author.
7. The PNWA’s annual conference is coming up (August 4th through 7th). What advice do you have for a writer going to their first conference?
Meet authors. Network. Attend workshops. This is your time to immerse yourself in the writing world.
8. Please tell us about the fiction writing class you teach at the University of Washington and what opportunities you see are out there for writers wanting to work in the field.
I will be teaching two classes this fall at the University of Washington. Popular Fiction I and Popular Fiction II. Popular Fiction I, is for the author with a story idea, or even someone who has written a few chapters. This class is divided into three equal quarters, each structured like a novel. Beginning. Middle. End. I teach point of view, setting, dialogue, character development, plot structure, the business side of writing, how to write a book proposal. Popular Fiction II is for the advanced authors with a first draft of their finished novel. This class concentrates on editing and polishing.
9. Are there any future events sponsored by PNWA that would benefit writers in their pursuit of publication and marketing of their books?
PNWA offers monthly meetings, every third Thursday of the month. We bring in published authors, agents, editors, and industry experts to discuss everything from trends, to the digital age of publishing.
Thank you for interviewing with our blog series.
Andrea Hurst has over 25 years experience as a published author, developmental editor for publishers, and skilled literary agent. She works with both major and regional publishing houses, and her client list includes emerging new voices and New York Times best-selling authors. Andrea represents high profile Adult Nonfiction and well crafted fiction. Her clients and their books have appeared on the Oprah Show, Ellen DeGeneres Show, Good Morning America, National Geographic network and in the New York Times.
Katie Flanagan is a fiction major at Northwestern University. She is currently an editor with Booktrope and a reader for Pink Fish Press. In the past, she has interned with Andrea Hurst Literary Management and the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts. Her favorite genre is women’s fiction, but she reads any fiction put in front of her. Check out her blog about the writing life at katieflanagan.wordpress.com and follow her on Twitter at @K_Flanagan.
Don’t forget to check out the AUTHORNOMICS Blog Interview Series’s Summer Contest!
Pam Binder is an award-winning and New York Times bestselling author. Pam is the President of PNWA and an instructor in the University of Washington’s Popular Fiction extension program. She is currently working on an Irish Historical set in the 16th century.
I pray your conference helps many. Thank you for pointing out that revising could be adding layers. I often write the bare bones and have to come back and add the emotions later. Thanks for sharing what you did.
Heather
Thanks so much for posting this interview. I am working on my second novel and have experienced the doubts of which Ms. Binder spoke about my chances of success. Your words are inspiring and I will keep plugging away. Perhaps I can find a literary group to be a member of near my home here in Georgia. Thanks for this series Andrea and Katie. God Bless.
Kenneth
I appreciate the reminder to keep focusing on the craft and to be “hopeful” about the getting published. I figure if I keep learning, do the work (the writing and the pursuit of publication), it will happen. Everywhere I go people are still reading and one day I hope to see my book in someone’s hands (or on their e-reader!).
As a writer I keep telling myself to feel, think and act like a writer… everyday. I’m always encouraged when I hear/read from a “real” writer that self doubt is a normal part of the process. Thank you for reminding me of that.
Diane
Great interview! Thanks for pointing out the importance of revising. Check out my blog, Writing Women, under Blog at the Women Write web site for details on the End of Summer Authornomics Contest. Great prizes for writers who enter.
Thank you. It is encouraging to know that even successful, seasoned veterans need to battle self-doubt. I keep thinking that writing is not ‘real work’ and therefore has no value. Reminders such as yours remind me that what we do IS important … even when it is not (yet) lucrative.
My favorite part of writing is also creating characters. And I too just love it when I discover a twist and turn I hadn’t expected. Thanks for sharing your exhilaration at being a writer.
Another great interview, Andrea and Pam.
I find it interesting how different authors write (the physical act). While I can write quick ideas with pen and paper, for full writing of paragraphs and chapters I have to type it out. It allows me to get the ideas out quicker and do minor edits on the fly. Other authors I know has to write everything out longhand with pen and paper before they ever commit it to the screen. Fascinating to look at our different processes.
Hi Pam. Yes, I’ve heard it before–that writing is a long distance race and not a sprint. But it never hurts to be reminded again and again. There’s a long stretch of writing and revising and doubting and stressing before one gets to the finish line and wins outside reward. Until publication (and maybe even after), the rewards are mainly internal–satisfaction in finishing a project, and, of course,the joy of the writing itself. I like your advice to believe in yourself. Again, I’ve heard it before, but it’s good to be reminded. Again and again.
PNWA was a wonderful conference, and the first I’d attended dedicated to the craft of fiction writing and publishing. I’ve been to a lot of conferences, though, and rarely are do they run so smoothly. Thanks Pam!
Thank you for sharing. It’s always so nice to hear that published writers go through the same emotions, self-doubts, battles and victories that those of us just starting out are experiencing.
