Editor’s note: This was originally published in May 2009. A few readers asked about it since the film Water for Elephants is slated to release in April, starring Reese Witherspoon. Read on to find out more about Sara Gruen’s inspiration for the book, her other projects and a few tips for writers.
I’m thrilled to feature my interview with Sara Gruen, author of New York Times bestselling novel, Water for Elephants. Gruen is a Canadian-born dual citizen (Canadian and American) who moved to the U.S. in 1999 for a technical writing job. When she was laid off two years later, instead of looking for another job, she started writing fiction full-time. Fast forward to today and and she is one of the world’s most well-known novelists.
I’m particularly fascinated with Water For Elephants. Without giving too much away, the book is the life tale of fictional protagonist Jacob Jankowski, who ran away to join the circus at 21. What’s most amazing about the book, in my opinion, is Gruen’s evident research about circus life, the time period and even her word choices, which all set the stage for an informative and entertaining read.
Laura Cococcia: You’ve had amazing success as an author, particularly with your best-selling book, Water for Elephants. While you started out as a technical writer, what was it that inspired you to start writing fiction?
Sara Gruen: I have always wanted to write fiction, which is why I studied literature in college. Technical writing was just the job I was able to get with an English degree! I actually did enjoy technical writing, but when I got laid off I decided (after consulting with my husband) that this was as good a time as any to try my hand at fiction. So we jumped off the cliff.
Laura Cococcia: What would you say is the most challenging part of the writing process? The most rewarding?
Sara Gruen: The most challenging is sitting down and opening your file when you really, really don’t want to write. I have to be very disciplined with myself or I’d never finish anything. I have to remind myself that it’s okay to write bad bits, because they can either be fixed or come out and they lead to the good bits. I think the most satisfying moment is when I hold the book in my hand for the first time. You’ve heard of new car smell? I love new book smell.
Laura Cococcia: For your new book, Ape House, you spent time at The Great Ape Trust in Iowa, to learn more about the relationships between humans and apes. How important do you think it is for authors to get to know their subject through first-hand research – somewhat like the “write what you know” advice often given to writers?
Sara Gruen: I think it’s very important, particularly if you don’t know much going in. I knew nothing about the circus when I started researching Water for Elephants, and I knew very little about language competent apes before starting Ape House. So I guess it’s the old “write what you know” advice, or maybe it’s “if you’re going to write about something you know absolutely nothing about, you’d better research the heck out of it.”
Laura Cococcia: What would be your advice to aspiring writers looking to start out on their writing journey?
Sara Gruen: It’s tough, particularly if they have kids and jobs. I guess I would say to carve out whatever writing time you can and make it sacred and make your family and friends respect it, and when it comes up, go in and sit down and open your file even if you can think of a million reasons not to. You can edit anything but a blank page.
If you’ve had the opportunity to read Water for Elephants, we’d love to hear your take. And, for more on Sara, visit her website.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Laura! Loved that you had the opportunity to interview this author. I have had this on my list forever and feel like the only person in the world who has not read it. I'll make sure to read it soon and come back to leave my thoughts. Many thanks!
Hey Laura – I just found your site on Twitter. I loved this book, completely agree with you about the research part. Makes it all more credible. I really like how Sara spoke about her path to becoming a writer. It's not overnight and sometimes we just have to take a leap into the unknown if we know that, in our gut, we have something we love to do. Definitely inspirational. Thanks so much for sharing.
Great interview, like always :)
By the way, you've got a friendship award. Please come by and pick it up:
http://littleweb77.blogspot.com/2009/05/surprised-surprised-its-friends-award.html#links
see you there.
Claire: definitely let us know what you think! I'm excited to hear.
Jen B: Thanks for visiting the site! I agree about the research part. I think it's something we writers tend to forget about at times and she did such an amazing job with Water for Elephants in that regard.
Jan: You are too kind! And congratulations to you for winning the award initially!
Great interview – found your site through Twitter/Twibes…definitely will be back and just subscribed to your e-mails. I love the writing tips the most, they're all different with each author and they all seem to make good sense.
Hi Laura! I've had this book on my list for some time. This interview encouraged me to get to it quickly!
Hi Christa – so glad it's on your list. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on it!
I loved this interview. I can really relate to what Gruen said about writing being difficult. I also have to tell myself it’s okay to write badly because I can fix it later. I’m glad I’m not the only one who does that!
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Hi Abbie – thanks – I loved it too! I actually don’t even know if there’s such a thing as “writing badly” – I do so many revisions of a post or a chapter before I publish – and even then it’s a work in progress. We are in it together!