Author Interview with Mette Ivie Harrison

Today I'm excited to have Mette Ivie Harrison here to talk about why she loves writing fantasy, her best writing advice and the #1 mistake writers make.  


Mette Ivie Harrison is the author of several best-selling novels, including Mira Mirror, The Princess and the Hound, The Princess and the Bear.  And recently out, The Princess and the Snowbird and Tris and Izzie. She has a PHD from Princeton. She's raced in three Ironman competitions and she is one of the smartest and hardest working writers on the planet. Mette publishes with Viking, Harper Collins, and Egmont.  And she is just Plain Awesome.

What is it that draws you to write fantasy?



I used to read fantasy indiscriminately with realistic fiction until I hit about age 13. That was when I decided I was too grown up to read fantasy, and I stopped reading for fun almost entirely. I read through all of the classics, and I thought of fantasy as for children. It wasn't until I was in grad school that I rediscovered fantasy and how smart it is. It's the only way I can think of to talk about certain things in a way that makes it feel less political and hot-button. It also can make people think in different ways and be more open to the changing world. But in the end, I write fantasy because I love it and because in some way that I do not understand myself, it is what I write best. My characters and my plots, my ideas, they all work better in fantasy.


Can you tell us how you got the idea for Tris and Izzie?

I actually had wanted to do a retelling of Tristan and Isolde for years, since right after I stopped teaching German full time at Brigham Young University in 1997. But I never actually sat down and did it. I was too intimidated. It wasn't until I was willing to give myself license to fail and try something absolutely new that I wrote down chapters two through six in the published version. I didn't know where it was going after that, and set it aside until my editor, Ruth, asked me if I had something different. I was reluctant to give it to her, but sat down and reread it, and suddenly saw where it needed to go. Once she offered me a contract, I sat down and wrote it within a couple of months.

If you had could have any magic potion, what would it do?

I would have a magic potion to make me faster, because I would love to feel the sensation of being really fast in a triathlon just once, even if it wasn't earned and wasn't me.


Can you tell us a bit about your writing process?

Oh, dear. My process feels like such a mess. I don't even know how to describe it. I have an office in the basement and I lie to myself and say I'm just going down to check email, or to look over what I wrote the day before. I try not to set goals for myself because I become really anxious about that. I also find myself doing stupid things like ending chapters after a page and a half, so I have a good page count, or being really wordy so I have a longer word count. I try to end each day with at least an idea of what I'm going to write the next day, but I'm not much of an outliner. I think it must happen subconsciously, because I have a strong sense that I know where I'm going these days, even if I sometimes veer off into an unexpected direction. I try to spend a certain number of hours a day writing, and when I'm done, I leave it and come back the next day. The most frustrating thing for me is when I have to leave a manuscript in the middle and then come back to it months later. It's hard to get the feel of it back.

What was the hardest part to write in this book? And the best part?

Well, I spent a year not knowing what happened after Izzie used the potion on herself and Tristan. Once the two headed dog appeared, it was easy sailing. I think my favorite part is in the hospital when Izzie is trying to get Mark to take her to Tristan's room. I think it reminds me of madcap Laverne and Shirley episodes, which I loved as a kid. I've never written anything light and funny before, and I was nervous that I couldn't do it. I'm not a very funny person. In fact, many people consider me humor impaired.

What would you say is one of your interesting writing quirks?

Everything comes down to character for me. An editor will be talking to me about a problem with the plot or with setting or world building and in my head, I'm always translating it to character problems. My editors can be confused when I try to explain this, but for me the whole story is about character. I love plot, but only as it relates to character. The what if? question that I pose in every novel I write is about people able to do things in fantasy they couldn't in the real world, so that their characters can be utterly unique.

How old were you when you wrote your first book?

Um, 13, I think. I wrote a lot when I was a kid, but my first novel was 13. It was written in a journal, and I wrote every night a few pages before bed. It surprises me in some ways how much I still write like that, by the seat of my pants, scene by scene. I can count on one hand the number of times I have written scenes out of order.

What would you say is the best writing advice you've ever received?

I think the best advice is to read a lot. Reading a lot helps me to be able to read my own books as a reader would. It helps me see what parts are fun. It also helps me see where I'm failing. I also make myself send things out even if it feels scary. And I expect rejection. Might as well. It comes anyway.

Alright, now I know you teach at workshops and conferences. You've read a lot of manuscripts over the years. What would you say is the #1 mistake writers make?

Telling rather than showing is up there.

In fantasy, though, it is often not letting the mystery unfold. This isn't a mistake that only beginners make. Everyone makes it.

You have other new books out right now. Can you tell us a bit about those?

I just epublished The Princess and the Horse, a fourth book in the Hound Saga, which began with The Princess and the Hound. The publisher, Harper, was finished with the series with the third book, but I had written this book and another fifth one, and I felt obligated to allow loyal fans the chance to read it. I doubt I will make a cent off it. It was really just for fans who have been so loyal to me and to this series.



What books are you reading now?

I wish I was able to read more. I've been reading a lot of manuscripts for critique, and that has taken away my time for reading published books. I love the Inspector Lynley series by Elizabeth George, and Harry Dresden books by Jim Butcher. I also love Kinsey Milhone (the alphabet series) by Sue Grafton. The Mercy Thompson books by Patricia Briggs. I like series as a reader. They are hard to do as a writer. 

Do you ever experience writer's block?

I used to think that I didn't, but I wrote an essay about it last month, and I realized I just don't call it that. I call it abandoning a book. It is very painful, but I do sometimes give up on books and simply move on to another one. That's the way that I deal with it. It's not that I can't write anymore. It's that I can't write that anymore. This would be a big problem if I got writer's block on books that are under contract, but that hasn't happened, largely because I try to write books before they are under contract. 

Who are your favorite authors?

Love Holly Black's books. Jo Knowles. Ally Carter. Karen Healey. Shannon Hale. Justine Larbelestier. Laini Taylor, Robin McKinley, Margo Lanagan, Megan Whalen Turner, Lois McMaster Bujold, Robin Hobb, Orson Scott Card, Connie Willis, Kate Elliott, Guy Gavriel Kay, Garth Nix, Patrick Rothfuss. I could go on and on. Carol Berg, Harry Connolly, Nancy Kress, Elizabeth Moon . . .

      

See? Didn't I tell you she was Plain Awesome...ok. I take that back. She's not plain anything. More like Shiny Awesome. Or Sequined Awesome. Or maybe Flashing Lights Awesome...

You can read more writing advice from Mette on Orson Scott Card's Intergalactic Medicine Show. Go check her blog out Here. And if you ever have a chance to take a class from her or listen to her speak, you better show up. You won't regret it.

Funday Monday: Do the Hokey Pokey!

Family reunions are the best, right? Wow! All those people loving each other and chatting and hugging and being so happy to see each other, right?  I love it.

My cute mother-in-law, Margaret, was in charge of her family's reunion this year and so it was held in the small town of Tropic, Utah.  This is where I went to high school, where I was an uncoordinated cheerleader and where I fell in love with my handsome cowboy. 

Alright so onto the tips and pics....

Funday Monday Tip #7: If there's a trail, hike it. 



Zoe found a new fancy cousin friend.  Ack! They're so cute, right?

 Margaret planned a fun hike for us on Friday morning.  It was down through this narrow slot canyon called the Cottonwood Narrows.  I love slot canyons.  They're so interesting....all the different colors of rocks and formations.  It's amazing how they can vary so much.


What a fun group of hikers, right? The only one
missing is our photographer, Cindy who
was kind enough to snap the pic.

It was such a great atmosphere for getting to know new family.  Some of them I had gotten to know off and on through the years.  But there were quite a few that I hadn't ever met before, or if I had it had only been briefly.  I was able to chat with Ryan's cousin, Cindy quite a bit on the hike and we laughed and visited and it was really great.

Towards the end of the hike I started to really look forward to air conditioning.  Gnats.  Heat.  Whiney kids.  Oh.  Wait....I think that was me doing the whining.  Snap. Complaining doesn't help, right? The hike took a bit longer than was planned since the little ones wanted to touch every rock, plant and bit of sand they saw.  They loved it all.

At the end of the hike, my husband overheard one little girl say, "We made it.  And we didn't even complain!"  Oh.  What a great example that little girl is to me.   

Funday Monday Tip #8: If there's a merry go round, ride it. 

Yep. I got on with Molly because she was aching to give it a shot.  I don't usually get motion sickness.  But after a few too many turns I had to get off.  Blech.  Pizza and spinning apparently do not mix for me.  Although I did have fun laughing and chatting with the kids before I got ill.

Funday Monday Tip #9: I there is a craft, try it. 

Margaret asked me to come up with a craft for the kids to do while the adults played some games. 

I threw together a simple thing that I'd been wanting to try.  I was feeling bad that I hadn't come up with something a bit more elaborate, but with a nasty flu that stormed through each and every one of us and also getting ready for Zoe's birthday party, I just didn't have a lot of time.  I was worried it would totally flop.  So I was pleasantly surprised when it was such a big hit!  Basically we made jewelry with t-shirt yarn and beads.  Easy peasy.  But it was as popular with the adults as it was with the children! 

Funday Monday Tip #10: If there's a game, play it. 

Margaret organized all sorts of games for the adults in the morning and then a bunch of games for the kids in the afternoon.  I did not do too well at the games.  Ok.  I totally stank.  But I gave them a shot!  (An A for effort?) Although I did beat Jim at the frisbee toss.  Of course, Ryan destroyed us all with his score.  And he finally just stopped playing, not because he missed but because he didn't want to keep going!  But I missed in the tennis shot and the badmitton thing and the free throw and only got one point in the bean bag toss.  Ugh!!  It was not a good sporty day for me.  So, I slunk back to the crafting table...*sniff*...where I was appreciated....

The best part of the games though?  Margaret gave away her old trophys (and she had A LOT...she is a VERY athletic woman.  Seriously.  Amazing.)  to the winners.  OY!  It was too funny.  There was a lot of chuckling over it. 

Funday Monday Tip #11: If there is hokey pokey music, or say the bunny hop or even a good ol' fashioned Virginia Reel?  Get out there and shake it all about.



I'm not entirely sure what dance move Weston is pulling
out here.  But he's having a great time doing it!





A giant family hokey pokey session. Brilliant, right?  Ha!  It was so much fun.  I had to jump out to snag a picture.  Luckily I got back into the mix for the Whole Self part and The Backside shaking.  Yep.  Good times.

 Margaret's sister, Lois, is a square dance caller and she had us out there swinging our partners round and promenading sweet corner maids.  It was really fun.  In fact, I even had a little gentleman by the name of Paul come up and ask if I would dance with him.  The next day I asked him if he liked taller women.  He said, "Yes."  Pause. "And I like babies." Yep.  That's a real ladykiller in the making. 

Funday Monday Tip #12: If there are awesome people around, befriend them!

One of the highlights of the trip was getting to know Ryan's cousin, Paige Lad.  Oy!  She is at least Twenty Shades of Awesome.  I had heard of her in the past from one family member or another.  Someone mentioned there was another writer in the family but I hadn't had the chance to meet her before this weekend.  So, yay!  I was thrilled to have her cornered at a family reunion where I could make her hang out with me. And she was so much fun!  We talked about writing, our projects, conferences we've attended and about every other thing that came up while we were making random t-shirt yarn accessories.


I made Paige model her lovely multi-colored headband.  Oh! And
she's wearing a necklace she made, too.  Yep.  We were having fun.

Now I just wish she didn't have to live all the way in Phoenix beause I think she needs to be my new best friend. 

Tonight I noticed Paige added a new post to her blog (I added her awesome blog to my roll on the side) and was shocked to see she'd written about ME!  Ack! I think I did a pretty good job of tricking her into thinking I'm way cooler than I am.  She said such lovely things about me.  Isn't she the greatest? I'm so happy I inherited her as a cousin. 

So.  The record must be set straight. Paige is the crazy amazing one.  She is easy to chat with, she's a brilliant writer (you just have to read some of the entries on her blog to see that or check out some of her writing projects), she is so stinkin' cute with her little blonde pixie haircut and beautiful smile, her kids are Supremely Awesome (which must be attributed to how cool their mom is), she plays The Superhero Game with her children (ack! Must start playing game with my family pronto!) and she danced the Hokey Pokey.  Yep. 'Nuf said.  Paige Rocks.

Alright, here is the last one....

Funday Monday Tip #13: If there is a dog your size, by golly try to ride it!

My sweet little niece, Cambree, got to ride her grandpa's horse.  She loved it.  And she enjoyed it so much that when she found another creature with four legs willing to stand still for a moment, she climbed on! 

Giddiyup!

Ha! Nathan Hale Drew Zoe's Pink Robots!

Nathan Hale, amazingly talented illustrator of Rapunzel's Revenge, Calamity Jack (both written by Shannon Hale and her husband Dean Hale), and many many others and also the author/illustrator of Yellowbelly and Plum Go to School and The Devil You Know (and also many many more!) is Twenty Shades of Awesome. Alright. More than Twenty. Many many more!

 

I first met Nate at a writing conference years ago. We hung out, bonded as we made fun of the odd dancing segment in the middle of one day...really? Why would you entertain a theater full of writers with interpretive dance?...and I was fortunate enough to see some sketches from Rapunzel's Revenge which he was currently hard at work on. I had no idea then how popular it and Calamity Jack were going to become in my house and everywhere else!

So, anywoo, Nathan is doing this fun interactive drawing thing on his blog right now, Space Station Nathan, where readers throw out suggestions and Nate picks one to draw. How fun is that?  So, yesterday morning the kids and I were checking it all out at breakfast. I left a comment with three of our kid's ideas.

Zoe's contribution was, "A pink robot and she had so much fun that she called another pink robot and she had a fun idea to play."

And Nathan picked hers to draw!


You can read more about it Here. Fun picture, right?

Zoe was pretty happy about it. She said, "I love my pink robots!"

I'm going to have to print these sassy metal ladies out and frame them.

Thanks Nathan!