Women in SFF Author Spotlight – Julie E. Czerneda
A love of reading turned into a love of writing for Julie E. Czerneda. A former biologist, then writer and editor of non-fiction, in 1997 DAW Books published Julie’s first sf novel, A Thousand Words for Stranger and she hasn’t stopped since. Her work has received international acclaim, multiple awards,and best-selling status. You’ll find her work in anthologies as well, as she enjoys working with other writers. Julie is a popular speaker, whether on writing, science, or the use of science fiction to promote scientific literacy.
For more on Julie’s work and upcoming events, please visit www.czerneda.com
Oh, and when not writing or at conventions? Julie and her photographer husband grab their canoe and disappear into the glorious wilderness surrounding their central Ontario home.
Welcome to the Hive, Julie E. Czerneda. Let’s start small: tell us about a great book you’ve read recently!
Resurgence, by C.J.Cherryh, DAW. Her ongoing story of Bren Cameron, a translator turned diplomat who bridges the gap between the Atevi and Human populations of his world—as well as others, not to spoil things–continues to amaze me. And this one has the TRAIN! You’ll have to read it to appreciate my joy. Highly recommended.
Okay, time to escalate things: reality warps and you suddenly find yourself leading a D&D-style party through a monster-infested dungeon. What character class are you, and what’s your weapon of choice?
At first blush, I’d thought a halfling paladin with the sword of Truth, but that’s not much good against monsters, is it? Can’t let down my friends—well, other than by leading them into the monster-infested dungeon in the first place.
Hmmm. How about wizard? My weapon of choice is my lightning spell. As a friend put it, brilliant on several levels, if noisy.
This said, please don’t think I know what I’m doing. It’s been decades since my D&D days, though I’m tempted to plunge back in. In other words, I respect the game, am not an expert, don’t go into dungeons with me, you might not come out.
That’s generally most people’s experience with D&D though, right?
When you’re not trawling through dungeons, how do you like to work? (In silence, with music, or serenaded by the damned souls of a thousand dead shrimps? Do you prefer to type or to hand-write? Tell us a little bit about your writing method!
Whoa. Now I want the sweet strings of a crustacean zombie quartet…and nose plugs, because they’d reek. (No offense.) Lacking that, I listen to soundtracks. I’ve a playlist per book/series, typically. For my current book, it’s Pacific Rim plus the Green Rider Symphony (highly recommended, btw). With “Dance Monkey” in between to make me move—I write standing up.
I have to type the story because I can’t write as fast as my brain wants me to, not and read it later. I do my notes and mulling with pencil and paper, though. And have been known to bust out a big marker for drama.
What (or who) are your most significant female fantasy influences? Are there any creators whom you dream of working with someday?
Andre Norton—how I discovered science fiction, and I love her fantasy too. I believe I still hold the record for the number of times her books were checked out from the local library. Though back then, neither the librarians nor I knew Andre was a woman. When I found out, I was delighted. C.J. Cherryh’s ideas and aliens. Patricia McKillip’s word craft. Tanya Huff’s characters. Anne Bishop’s heart. Sarah Beth Durst’s worldbuilding. So many…
Work with my MSFFI? I’m still working on not trembling in their presence. ::laughs:: The best part is they know and tease me.
I do edit anthologies and that’s allowed me to work with insanely talented authors, including my MSFFI. Though if you saw me preparing to send them biz emails, you’d realize why I crank up Pacific Rim at times.
I have one such dream that has already come true. Thanks to DAW Books and my editor, Sheila Gilbert, I’ve been able to open my Clan Chronicles universe to those who love the series. Their stories—wow. You’ll find them in Tales from Plexis.
What was the last thing you watched on TV and why did you choose to watch it? Alternatively, what games have you enjoyed recently?
THE MEG! I’ve been waiting eagerly for it to arrive where I could watch it, in this case Netflix. I loved the concept of a Megalodon—being a biogeek—and loved the movie too. Nice job on the “what if?” and of course special effects have come a long long way. The shark feeding frenzy? The how-many-floaties-are-there-in-the-world scene? Great fun. (I’m a huge Godzilla fan too.)
The world shifts, and you find yourself with an extra day on your hands during which you’re not allowed to write. How do you choose to spend the day?
Can you give me five? Then I’d be in our canoe, deep in the wild. (It takes a while to get out there.)
If a day? Oh, I’d have to create something. Something large with rocks and water. Big piles of soil. GREEN THINGS! Or take down a wall. Several of our renovations started when I put an “X” on a wall with my drama marker. I confess I’m not good at sitting still for long. Unless I’m building something–
Can you tell us a little something about your current work(s) in progress?
Work(plural) it is! I’ve been having a wonderful time writing more stories about my semi-immortal shapeshifting alien, Esen. By the time you’re reading this, I’ve turned in the first draft of Spectrum, Book Three of Esen’s Web Shifter’s Library series and Book Two, Mirage, just came out, so I’m promoting that. While I await revision comments from Sheila, I’m researching an entirely new “Secret Project” which at this moment I may only describe as not THE MEG. Though a feeding frenzy is entirely possible. I do love my job.
What’s the most (and/or least) helpful piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?
The most helpful? Write another book. Josepha Sherman told me that while my first novel, A Thousand Words for Stranger, was going the rounds. I took it to heart, writing Beholder’s Eye. On Thursdays. I loved Thursdays. The rest of my week, back then, I wrote science textbooks. Best idea ever.
The least helpful? Don’t write a book with an alien protagonist. No one will buy it. Advice I did not heed, because I adored Esen and her joy and biology quirks with all my heart. As did Sheila Gilbert (DAW) who not only bought Beholder’s Eye, Esen’s first novel—and all my others–but has let me keep enjoying this character. I’m now on number seven, to the delight of happy readers who love the Dear Little Blob too.
The moral being? Take the advice that makes sense to you and fits how you work. I was already itching to write Esen’s story, so hearing it’d make good business sense just let me roar out the gate to do it. (And steal Thursdays!) As for the alien protagonist? It is a valid point. Not every reader will follow you into the mind of a well-meaning, somewhat anxious Blob who occasionally blows up. I’m beyond grateful so many of mine have. Thank you, readers!
Every writer encounters stumbling blocks, be it a difficult chapter, challenging subject matter or just starting a new project. How do you motivate yourself on days when you don’t want to write?
Being a full time writer has certainly helped. It’s been my day job since 1985, which had the interesting effect of flipping around what was normal. My husband Roger, a photographer, also began working at home and we’d no problem keeping at the work—we’d serious problems leaving it. When you do what you love, and it feeds you, such is the result. It took years to realize we needed days off. Now we schedule holidays, try to take weekends off, and always dance/watch a movie Friday nights.
As for writerly stumbles? Starting isn’t one. I love that. Discovering I’ve written myself into a corner or have plot threads turning into worms in compost—those I get. I’ll do a couple of sudoku things on my computer, then return to the problem. I’ll work in a different room. Sprawl large sheets of paper on the floor and sketch out ideas. And sometimes? I walk away. It’s always been easier for me to work too hard at something than to give my brain a rest and come back later. I’ve learned my writing productivity (good words/hour) shoots up after I’ve had a break. Why, before writing this answer? I left the office. Went to the local river for a quick swim with Roger. Now, fingers are flying!
If you could visit any country at any point in history, where/when would you go, and why?
I’d like to go to London, England, in 1939, to stand on the wharf and watch my mother’s family arrive from Canada. My grandfather was an engineer, come to help with the war effort. My mother and her two sisters were in their late teens. All would become nurses. Mom would go on to enlist (a radar operator) and one of my aunts to work in the U.S. Embassy. The sisters were accomplished, beautiful, emancipated women, as was my grandmother. Ahead of them waited love and adventure–and tragedy. They lost most of their friends and only three would survive the next few years. Still, what a moment to witness as they disembarked, ready to do their duty whatever it took or cost. It forged my family and I couldn’t be more proud of them.
Who are your favourite female characters in literature or pop culture? And do you have a favourite type of female character you enjoy writing?
Goodness. Hmm. Buffy. Bones (Temperance Brennan). Wonder Woman (movies more than show, sorry). Ilisdi from C.J. Cherryh’s Foreigner series, and Pyanfar from her Chanur books. Xhea from Karina Sumner-Smith’s Towers trilogy. Tanya Huff’s Victory Nelson (who is a TV character as well as in the Blood Books.) Tamara from Sarah Beth Durst’s Race the Sands.
What type do I like to write? Real ones. People you’d want to be with—as protagonists, anyway—in part because while writing a novel I’m with them a long time. People who can be trusted to think, who care and do the right thing even if it’s hard. Especially then. If I can pick one of my own to illustrate? Mackenzie Connor from Species Imperative, my fisheries biologist. She’d like to be left alone to work with salmon and finds aliens annoying. She ends up, reluctantly, helping to save the known universe—pretty much because she works with salmon. She knows how to inspire other academics to solve problems, how to hypothesize, where the pitfalls of assumption lie, and why life matters. All of it. Yup. I like Mac.
Tell us about a book that’s excellent, but underappreciated or obscure.
The Untold Tale by J.M. Frey. It’s first in a series but stands very well on its own. It’s a wonderful creation. I blurbed it thus: “Insanely amazing! …tears apart the tropes of heroic fantasy and gives back what we need: true heroes, true love, and the astonishing realization that yes, real people are magical.” As Frey goes on, the story moves between this world and the imagined but real one created by an author who, let’s say has a great deal to learn about characters and people. And when it folds in conventions and gaming? If you love fantasy—and people—read this book and all that follow.
Finally, would you be so kind as to dazzle us with an elevator pitch? Why should readers check out your work?
Oh Gods. Now you’re making it hard. Oh my. I’d better go for another swim first. Pitches are monster-infested dungeons without plumbing. I’ll give it a try. [Sorry Julie!]
My love of nature informs my science fiction and fantasy, but it’s my love of people that drives every story. Not that my idea of “people” is necessarily Human but, regardless, I always write about courage and heart, with the wildest wide-eyed wonder I can imagine.
That’s brilliant! Thank you so much for joining us today, Julie, and best of luck with your new release!
Mirage, Book 2 of the Web Shifter’s Library series, is available today from:
Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk
Brilliant! Great interview. Love Ms. Czerneda’s work in all her genres.