Questions for Amy Dickinson

[Amy_Dickinson]

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Stephanie wrote:

Amy,

I'd love to hear about your writing process.  Did you do a lot of planning and outlining, or did you just let it flow, so to speak?  Also, how did you keep up with your busy life, and find the time to write your story? 

And during that process, were you tempted to try to paint a rosier picture than you actually experienced?

Thanks,

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I generally write my daily column in bunches, working from Sunday-Wednesday. Thursday, Friday and Saturday I tried to concentrate on writing the book. I did actually map it out a great deal before writing it -- this outline and a couple of completed chapters formed the proposal, and it was on the strength of the proposal that I got a contract from Hyperion to write the book. The deadline was tight and I tried to write a chapter every two weeks. I tend to write and finish my work in a fairly polished way and I'm happy to say there weren't various drafts to contend with -- we had a pretty easy and light edit before the manuscript was considered complete. I'm very proud of my little book -- and proud of the life I've lead that contributed to it. I never considered "cleaning up" the events of my life, though in general I do tend to have a fairly rosy outlook, which helps -- in my writing and in my life....

[Worducopia]

Amy, I love your column and enjoyed the book very much. Any plans for other books in the near future?

[Wrighty]

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Amy_Dickinson wrote:

I generally write my daily column in bunches, working from Sunday-Wednesday. Thursday, Friday and Saturday I tried to concentrate on writing the book. I did actually map it out a great deal before writing it -- this outline and a couple of completed chapters formed the proposal, and it was on the strength of the proposal that I got a contract from Hyperion to write the book. The deadline was tight and I tried to write a chapter every two weeks. I tend to write and finish my work in a fairly polished way and I'm happy to say there weren't various drafts to contend with -- we had a pretty easy and light edit before the manuscript was considered complete. I'm very proud of my little book -- and proud of the life I've lead that contributed to it. I never considered "cleaning up" the events of my life, though in general I do tend to have a fairly rosy outlook, which helps -- in my writing and in my life....

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I was curious to hear how you handle writing your column. Do you always work on it from Sunday - Wednesday or was that just while you were working on your book? Do you choose the letters yourself or does someone help you with that part? You must recieve a huge quantity of mail. It seems like such an interesting career although sometimes a bit scary with the kinds of things you must read about! 

[Amy_Dickinson]

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Worducopia wrote:
Amy, I love your column and enjoyed the book very much. Any plans for other books in the near future?

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I have a second book in the works -- another memoir, this time of my childhood.

But I'm dying to write a novel, really. I hope someone will let me.

Amy

[Amy_Dickinson]

I always work on my column from Sunday-Wednesday, mainly because of the editing schedule and the syndication schedule. I try to schedule everything else on Thursdays and Fridays and mainly that works out well. I choose all the letters myself and yes, I receive a ton of mail. I consider choosing the letters to be the greatest challenge and biggest pleasure of my job. I love the way people write when they are describing their problems and many times my heart breaks when I read about the issues people are dealing with in their daily life. And then sometimes they're just silly, and of course I like that, too. Mainly I feel honored to be graced with this job and to be a witness to the private dilemmas and dramas of average people (like me).

Amy

[vivico1]

Speaking of which, Amy, check your private messages in that little envelope at the top.

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Amy_Dickinson wrote:

I have a second book in the works -- another memoir, this time of my childhood.

But I'm dying to write a novel, really. I hope someone will let me.

Amy

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