I was checking out Nic Stone’s
website the other day and saw that not only does she have a very succinct
explanation of her writing process, but also has a mnemonic device to describe
it.
website the other day and saw that not only does she have a very succinct
explanation of her writing process, but also has a mnemonic device to describe
it.
I got an opportunity to talk with
Nic about her “I Only Eat Raspberries” writing approach and how she applied it
to create her debut novel, DEAR MARTIN (Crown Books, October 2017). See below
for a bit about the book, one of 2017’s most highly anticipated debuts. But
now, more about “I Only Eat Raspberries.”
Nic about her “I Only Eat Raspberries” writing approach and how she applied it
to create her debut novel, DEAR MARTIN (Crown Books, October 2017). See below
for a bit about the book, one of 2017’s most highly anticipated debuts. But
now, more about “I Only Eat Raspberries.”
“I Only Eat Raspberries”:
Inspiration – the idea
Organization – notes, research/interviews (if necessary), outline
Execution – initial draft
Revision – self-explanatory and Nic’s least favorite part 🙂
Kelly deVos: So, starting with
“I” for Inspiration, what inspired DEAR MARTIN?
“I” for Inspiration, what inspired DEAR MARTIN?
Nic Stone: A combination of three
things: the shooting deaths of unarmed teens (specifically Trayvon Martin,
Jordan Davis, and Mike Brown), the rise of Black Lives Matter, and the negative
responses in the media that often cited MLK as someone who would be against the
protests. Something about that last part just felt off to me, so I
thought to myself How WOULD Dr. King’s teachings hold up here in 2016 in
light of everything going on?
things: the shooting deaths of unarmed teens (specifically Trayvon Martin,
Jordan Davis, and Mike Brown), the rise of Black Lives Matter, and the negative
responses in the media that often cited MLK as someone who would be against the
protests. Something about that last part just felt off to me, so I
thought to myself How WOULD Dr. King’s teachings hold up here in 2016 in
light of everything going on?
KD: The next step is Organization
and I was especially interested in this since your book combines a main
narrative – the story of your main character, Justyce McAllister – with the
letters he writes to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. What kind of research was
needed and how did you outline/organize these elements while drafting?
and I was especially interested in this since your book combines a main
narrative – the story of your main character, Justyce McAllister – with the
letters he writes to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. What kind of research was
needed and how did you outline/organize these elements while drafting?
NS: Most of my research involved
combing through Dr. King’s teachings/sermons/speeches/essays/books and really
examining not only the events of the Civil Rights Movement, but how society at
large responded. It often wasn’t pretty (just like today). I also spent some
time talking to young black men about their experiences and how they deal with
things like racial profiling. Originally, the book was nonlinear, so the
outline was very complex, but in the final version, the letters happen in
response to things that take place within the narrative, so the organization
was fairly straightforward. Event —> Response; Next event —> Next
response and so on.
combing through Dr. King’s teachings/sermons/speeches/essays/books and really
examining not only the events of the Civil Rights Movement, but how society at
large responded. It often wasn’t pretty (just like today). I also spent some
time talking to young black men about their experiences and how they deal with
things like racial profiling. Originally, the book was nonlinear, so the
outline was very complex, but in the final version, the letters happen in
response to things that take place within the narrative, so the organization
was fairly straightforward. Event —> Response; Next event —> Next
response and so on.
KD: Next up, is Execution, which
is fairly self-explanatory. But how long did your drafting process take? What
did you find most challenging while writing?
is fairly self-explanatory. But how long did your drafting process take? What
did you find most challenging while writing?
NS: HA! So fun story: DEAR MARTIN
sold on proposal. And then I had eight weeks to write a draft. I think I did
the initial draft in 6 weeks. The hardest thing was that because of the time
crunch, I had to do the research and drafting simultaneously. Which was very
awkward and uncomfortable because it meant I spent a good chunk of the
execution phase crying (it was all a little intense).
sold on proposal. And then I had eight weeks to write a draft. I think I did
the initial draft in 6 weeks. The hardest thing was that because of the time
crunch, I had to do the research and drafting simultaneously. Which was very
awkward and uncomfortable because it meant I spent a good chunk of the
execution phase crying (it was all a little intense).
KD: Finally, there’s Revision,
which is a step many writers truly dread. Any tips or tricks to help manage
revisions or make them less painful? How much did your final version change
from your first draft?
which is a step many writers truly dread. Any tips or tricks to help manage
revisions or make them less painful? How much did your final version change
from your first draft?
NS: Whew. I really don’t like
revisions. If anyone has any tips for ME, please let me know, lol! I tend to
just grit my teeth and plow through them. I do print a paper copy and edit with
a pencil. That helps me stay focused and makes it easier for some reason.
revisions. If anyone has any tips for ME, please let me know, lol! I tend to
just grit my teeth and plow through them. I do print a paper copy and edit with
a pencil. That helps me stay focused and makes it easier for some reason.
With DEAR MARTIN, the final book
is night and day from the initial draft. Draft two (the one that went in to the
editor after agent notes) was 79,000 words, eight points of view, and
nonlinear. The final is 40,000 words, one point of view, and linear. But oddly
enough: it’s the same book. Just boiled way down (and infinitely better,
believe me).
is night and day from the initial draft. Draft two (the one that went in to the
editor after agent notes) was 79,000 words, eight points of view, and
nonlinear. The final is 40,000 words, one point of view, and linear. But oddly
enough: it’s the same book. Just boiled way down (and infinitely better,
believe me).
KD: Last question. You sold DEAR
MARTIN in a 2-book deal. Is your next project a related story or something
completely different?
MARTIN in a 2-book deal. Is your next project a related story or something
completely different?
NS: So different, I’m terrified, lol.
KD: BONUS Question> You’re one of the few debut writers I know who sold
your debut book on proposal. Did that increase the pressure on you during
writing? Or make you more confident since you’d already sold the book?
your debut book on proposal. Did that increase the pressure on you during
writing? Or make you more confident since you’d already sold the book?
NS: Listen: selling on proposal
is a real crap shoot. Because this is the thing: if your editor doesn’t like
your initial execution (i.e. mine was like “This isn’t what I bought. I can’t
publish this.”) you’ll have to rewrite it. Truthfully, during the writing, the
only pressure I felt was getting it in on time. But I will say from the
experience: I probably won’t sell on proposal again. I want my editor to have a
FULL scope of what she’s getting before she buys something from me. Yes,
cutting 39,000 words/140 pages was great with regard to making me a better
writer, but if I can avoid that kind of gutting again, ya know: I will.
is a real crap shoot. Because this is the thing: if your editor doesn’t like
your initial execution (i.e. mine was like “This isn’t what I bought. I can’t
publish this.”) you’ll have to rewrite it. Truthfully, during the writing, the
only pressure I felt was getting it in on time. But I will say from the
experience: I probably won’t sell on proposal again. I want my editor to have a
FULL scope of what she’s getting before she buys something from me. Yes,
cutting 39,000 words/140 pages was great with regard to making me a better
writer, but if I can avoid that kind of gutting again, ya know: I will.
About DEAR MARTIN
Justyce McAllister is top of his class, captain of the debate team, and set for the Ivy League next year—but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. He is eventually released without charges (or an apology), but the incident has Justyce spooked. Despite leaving his rough neighborhood, he can’t seem to escape the scorn of his former peers or the attitude of his prep school classmates. The only exception: Sarah Jane, Justyce’s gorgeous—and white—debate partner he wishes he didn’t have a thing for.
Struggling to cope with it all, Justyce starts a journal to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. But do Dr. King’s teachings hold up in the modern world? Justyce isn’t so sure.
Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up. Way up. Much to the fury of the white off-duty cop beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. And Justyce and Manny get caught in the crosshairs. In that media fallout, it’s Justyce who is under attack. The truth of what happened that night—some would kill to know. Justyce is dying to forget.
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About Nic Stone
Nic Stone was born and raised in a suburb of Atlanta, GA, and the only thing she loves more than an adventure is a good story about one. After graduating from Spelman College, she worked extensively in teen mentoring and lived in Israel for a few years before returning to the US to write full-time. Growing up with a wide range of cultures, religions, and backgrounds, Stone strives to bring these diverse voices and stories to her work.
Stone lives in Atlanta with her husband and two sons.
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