Jamie Cat Callan

Jamie Cat Callan is both a writer and writing teacher.. Her work has appeared in The New York Times Modern Love column, to The Missouri Review, to UCLA Magazine. Awards include the PEN Syndicated Fiction Award, the Goldwyn Award in Screenwriting, two First Prizes in the Writers Digest Fiction Competition, a Bread Loaf Writing Conference Fellowship, and several residencies.

Her newest book, French Women Don't Sleep Alone: Pleasurable Secrets to Finding Love is her second book on love and romance. She’s also the author of three YA novels, including Just Too Cool, and is currently writing a new novel based on adventures she had as a script girl for Meg Ryan.

Her unique right brained approach to writing, which she’s taught at Yale University, Wesleyan University, NYU, UCLA, and closer to home, Boston's Grub Street, is explained in The Writers Toolbox: Creative Games and Exercises for the "Write" Side of Your Brain. We’re hoping she can give us a few hints here..

Jan: Tell us about your technique writing from the right side of your brain, and why it works.

Jamie:The Writers Toolbox evolved out of 25+ years of teaching writing. It's a box that contains sticks and cards and spiny dials--all geared to make writing fun. I began teaching writing in the late 70's in psychiatric hospitals to adolescents, so I learned early on that the best kind of writing happens when people feel relaxed and playful.

Writing from the right side of the brain means writing from that part of your brain that is intuitive and nonlinear and can make unexpected leaps and connections that move the narrative into interesting, even "dangerous" places. Writers tend to be sensitive people and often self-critical. The right brain games in The Writers Toolbox are all geared to make the process of writing a little less serious and a lot more fun. It's also very tactile and I think that inspires people to think in new ways.

Jan: Do you have any special tips to deal with procrastination or writers block (not that I have a problem with that or anything….ummm.) Do you have any advice on writing schedules, what works what fails?

Jamie: First of all, get out of the house. Shake up your routine. I often write in cafes. I keep a pad of paper and pen by my bedside and I'll even write down dialogue while on the phone or in line at the CVS. Make an appointment with yourself to write and keep it. Better yet, make an appointment with friends and write in a group. There's something special and inspirational about writing with friends. If all else fails, tell yourself you're just going to "fool around" when you sit down at the computer. Tell yourself you're just going to write 50 words. Generally, it's hard to stop at 50 words.

I'm also a believer in procrastination. I think that sometimes it simply means your subconscious mind is doing some important pre-writing. I would honor that.

Jan; If I’m making the correct assumptions, you’ve lived an adventurous, geographically- diverse life, moving from Connecticut to LA to New York to the Cape. Tell me how your life and experiences inspire your writing and your choice of writing projects.

Jamie: And I've lived in London and France and four different homes in Connecticut! Oh, and six different homes in New York--including a vegetarian commune and a single room occupancy hotel for women!

All these different homes have been challenging, but I love being shaken out of complacency. Every time I've moved, I've seen it as an opportunity to see the world in a brand new way and to see the world through a new character's eyes. One of my most successful stories, "Star Baby" (which appeared in Story Magazine back in the early 90's) was based on a conversation I had working temp in a real estate office in Orange County, California. This woman told me she was psychic and that was the beginning.

Of course, all my Hollywood stories and the new novel come from my experiences working for the actress Meg Ryan. Some of this writing has already been published in Buzz Magazine ("Hollywood Slave Girl Tells All") and The Missouri Review ("I Do Believe in Ghosts. I do. I do.") Truthfully, I continue to mine my adventures for stories. Right now, I'm living on Cape Cod. My husband is a climate change scientist at Woods Hole Oceanographic and I love listening in on all the science talk. It's really so foreign to me, it's delicious.

I think writers are never truly "at home" anywhere. We are always slightly outside. We are the observers. So for me, moving has been very stimulating.

Jan: Being a Francophile myself, I'm especially interested in you new book Frenchwomen Don’t Sleep Alone. I know your grandmother was French, but was she the sole inspiration for this?

Jamie:You know, I never really appreciated my French grandmother when she was alive. In fact, I always told people I was Irish-American, because the French part seemed so mysterious to me. And now, I realize--that's the point! They're mysterious. I now look back at my life with my grandmother and how she taught me to stand up straight and how to wear a scarf and how to make an apple pie and I realize I have been very, very lucky. When I returned to France to research the book and interviewed all these French women, I realized that in a way they were giving back my very own DNA. I have always been French, but just didn't realize it. Nowadays, I embrace the French way of life--cooking, taking care of my skin, using the good china every day and of course, wearing a scarf.

Jan: Can you give us an inkling of what French women know that we don’t about love. What we can learn from them.

Jamie: Well, first of all--they don't date! They have dinner parties instead. Every Friday and Saturday night, they're entertaining one another. Married and singles mix. It's a great way to get to know a potential lover in the context of lively conversation and delicious food. And even after a man and a woman decide to get together privately--they still don't "date." Rather, they'll take a walk and again, this is a terrific way for a woman to be seen. This is the secret to their confidence.

Jan: And tell us about your novel-in-progress, and how you apply your writing philosophy to this.

Jamie:My new book is a Hollywood romp called "Whatever Happened to America's Sweetheart?" I don't write everyday, but I do write at least three times a week and yes, I often tell myself, "Oh, I'm just going to write 50 words." It really works. Also, lately, I've been writing at Starbucks. There's something about the crowd and the noise that helps distract the critical side of my brain. I also collect images of Hollywood movie stars and tabloid headlines and paste them on the wall of my office. That inspires me because I'm a very visual person.

For more information on Jamie, check out http://www.jamiecatcallan.com

And now the Jungle Red Writers Quiz:

Miss Marple or Hercule Poirot?

Hercule Poirot, of course, because he's French!

Sex or violence?

Always sex.

Pizza or chocolate?

Chocolate. Dark. But just a little (that's very French.

Daniel Craig or Pierce Brosnan? (We won't even include Sean Connery because we know the answer. Don't we?)

Ooooh, but I love Sean Connery. Okay, Pierce Brosnan. Daniel Craig is just too craggy.

Katherine Hepburn or Audrey Hepburn?

Katherine Hepburn, because she's a fellow Yank and a feminist.

Myspace or Facebook?

Facebook, because I'm on it.

Your favorite non-mystery book?

Pride and Prejudice. Brilliant plot. Great dialogue. Funny and sexy.

Making dinner or making reservations?

Making dinner. And dinner parties!

And now, tell us four things about you that no one knows. Only three can be true. We'll guess.

1.My pet Siamese cat that won first prize at the Madison Square Garden Cat Show.

2.The name on my birth certificate is actually "June-Marie".

3.My father worked for the CIA.

4.I once dated a fire-eater.

Put Me In, Coach!

ROBERTA: Today Jungle Red Writers is delighted to welcome special guest Jill Crossland who comes to us from Alberta, Canada. Jill is a life and business coach with a particular interest in the issues of women over forty. (She is also a fellow Australian shepherd lover!) We thought Jill would have interesting insights and suggestions for writers in this publishing climate--and nonwriters too! Welcome Jill!

Before we launch into questions, please tell us a little about life coaching--what you actually do, how you're trained, and what kinds of folks seek your help.

JILL: Thank you, Roberta for inviting me to be a part of your blog. By the way I love the name.

To answer your question, coaching is about helping people with a situation that is taking place in the here and now. Coaches help their clients to be motivated, think through strategies and find solutions. The women that come to me are usually looking for guidance as they move to the next level in their life or business. My decision to become a Life Coach evolved from my own midlife transition. I trained through Coachville and am a member of the IAC (International association of Coaches). A coach also brings her résumé to the table. I have a well rounded professional and volunteer history behind me.

ROBERTA: As I'm sure you're well aware, getting and staying published in this market is difficult and stressful. How might you approach helping a writer who is feeling overwhelmed and discouraged?

JILL: First, make sure that your work space is conducive to the creative process. If your desk is cluttered with household bills and a couple of rejection letters this is going to compound those negative feelings. Your office should be all about you and the book, nothing else. Then create a team, if a weekly house cleaner or baby sitter gives you the time that you need to write then they are worth the money. Stay away from the naysayers; make sure that all the people that you connect with are supportive. You may love your best friend but if she is saying “maybe you should go back to work” keep your distance until your confidence is back. Also seek out other writers, as they understand what you are going through.

ROBERTA: Let's talk a little about writers block and procrastination. How might you go about helping a writer who's stuck?

JILL: I think that there is a tendency to retreat when one is stuck, when in fact taking a break from the typewriter or laptop and going out into the world is probably the better direction. Stimulate ‘those little grey cells’ by sitting in a busy cafe, doing something else creative, take a drive or go see a movie. If you do prefer to stay in your office, find a way to re-connect with the subject matter or characters – perhaps by re-reading your original outline. Remember where you where when the first seed of the book started to grow, how you felt and more importantly why you wanted to write this particular book. Then don’t censure yourself; just let words pour out unedited or perhaps stimulate your thought process by using a different writing method such as pen and pad or tape recorder.

Procrastination often stems from fear and that fear is rooted in the big picture of the end product. “What if I cannot find a publisher” or “Maybe no one will read my book”. Realistically those issues will be dealt with at the right time. For now stay in the present; set daily goals to help overcome those thoughts. Go into your office with a specific intention; “Today I want to have Harry tell Veronica the truth about………….” or “I will finish working on the research I need for chapter 10”. These things are doable and will keep the work flowing.

For self-motivation it is important to create a realistic schedule with your needs written in. Even if some days are exceptionally busy, giving yourself one hour to write is better than nothing.

ROBERTA: I noticed that you called your midlife a transition not a crisis; could you talk a little about the special challenges and opportunities that women in midlife face?

JILL: I think that the word crisis has such a negative connotation and while midlife can be a difficult time, women inevitably come through it stronger and more defined. We not only overcome the physical changes but mental and even spiritual ones. For many women one of the biggest challenges is the loss or redefining of their roles and subsequently getting to know ourselves again. Luckily though as this is not our mother’s midlife; there are many opportunities to transcend ourselves through travel, starting a business or following a passion, such as writing!

ROBERTA: What would you say to a new writer?

JILL: Dream big but think realistically; it is normal and healthy to visualize your name & book title on a best seller list but keep your feet on the ground.

When one has created something there is always an emotional attachment and I think new writers need to remember that there is going to be a practical business side to getting published. They will have to make some tough decisions. Be pro-active from day one. Start by asking yourself “Who is my reader?” Think about reaching them through the virtual world. Create a blog or website to give you and your book a presence, look for virtual book clubs, submitted excerpts to relevant online publications, meet groups through Skype and tele-conferencing, there are limitless ways to gain publicity. Lastly don’t overlook where you live for networking opportunities. It is not the same as being signed by Random House but it is a start.

Roberta: Thanks for stopping in to JRW, Jill. I'm going to start today on that "stay in the present" thing!