We’ve reached the halfway mark of THE GREAT CONNECTICUT CAPER! So much has happened since that opening chapter on the Connecticut River when we first learned Gillette Castle had gone missing. Check out chapter 6 and then read about the making of as author Melissa Crandall graciously answers some questions about the making of it and her writing life. Welcome, Melissa!
What was your approach to writing chapter 6 of the Great CT Caper? Did it differ any from your approach when creating a piece written solely by you?
The big difference, of course, was that there were five other writers ahead of me, so my preparation involved reading those five chapters, seeing how they meshed together, and then working to make my chapter fit as another piece to the puzzle. I’ve had a lot of experience doing that sort of thing – I’ve been writing collaborative pieces since high school – so I was familiar with the drill. Whether I’m working solo or in collaboration, my chief goal is to write the very best I can.
What were your expectations coming into writing a collaborative, serialized story for young readers? Had you written anything like this before?
Oh, yes. Back in high school, my friends and I wrote serialized stories where one of us would start, write the plot into a corner, and then gleefully pass it on to the next person to figure out. My first professional novel – Star Trek’s ICE TRAP – was written in collaboration with two other writers under the name L.A. Graf, and for the past several years I’ve participated in The Exquisite Project at Bill Library in Ledyard, CT. In essence, that’s a writer/artist version of the old “Exquisite Corpse” parlor game.
The Great CT Caper’s target audience is children in grades four through seven. What were some of your favorite books when you were that age?
I was (and still am) a voracious reader, so there were many. Some that readily come to mind are: Peter Pan (J.M. Barrie), Misty of Chincoteague and King of the Wind (Marguerite Henry), Black and Blue Magic (Zilpha Keatley Snyder), Andy Buckram’s Tin Men (Carol Ryrie Brink), Steel Magic (Andre Norton), and the Moomintroll books (Tove Jansson).
What writers do you find inspire your own work?
Truthfully, every writer I read affects me in some way. Some teach me ways to be a better writer, and others show me things I don’t ever want to emulate. Some of those who energize me about the craft of writing are J.M. Barrie, Stephen King, Ray Bradbury, Barbara Hambly, and Jonathan Carroll.
If you were stranded on a desert island and could only bring two books and one movie, what would you bring?
The books would be Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie and A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. (And if I could sneak in one more, it would be “Red Ranger Came Calling” by Berke Breathed.) As for movies…that’s hard, because my favorite changes all the time depending upon my mood. Probably JAWS.
Everyone is always trying to sneak in an extra one on that desert island! Where else can readers find your writings? What’s up next for your writing career?
Most of my books are currently out of print, but can be found wherever used books are sold. In the past year, my short story “Centaur” appeared in the online magazine Allegory, and I also sold essays to CHICKEN SOUP FOR THE SOUL: THE POWER OF FORGIVENESS and the Journal of the American Geriatric Society. They can also check out my website at www.melissacrandall.com and my blog “The Wild Ride – Caretaking Mom Through Alzheimer’s” at https://melissacrandall.wordpress.com/.
Currently, I’m working on a fantasy story and doing research for what I hope will turn into a novel based during the American Civil War.
And finally, what is something funny/weird/exceptional about yourself that you don’t normally share with others in an interview?
I once baby-sat a convalescing elephant.
About the Author:
Melissa Crandall writes “whatever needs writing.” To date, that’s included science fiction novels, fantasy short stories, and non-fiction essays. For several years, she served as fiction judge for the Darien Library Teen Writing Contest. Crandall enjoys hiking with her dog and pursues nature photography as a hobby.
Thanks for being interviewed today, Melissa! That tidbit about baby-sitting an elephant just begs for a story about it. 🙂
Can’t believe I’m just seeing this now….sigh. What can I say? The “tidbit” you mention has grown into a full-length narrative nonfiction book–THE MAN WHO LOVED ELEPHANTS–that I am currently shopping around to agents. Wish me luck!
Hi, Melissa! Glad you found the post. Good luck shopping your book to agents. I’m in the same boat.
What a really cool idea! This sounds like a lot of fun.
It has been a lot of fun to work on. I’m so glad I threw my hat in the ring for it and was chosen as one of the authors.
I love how much experience you’ve had with writing collaboratively going all the way back to high school! It’s not something I’ve done much of, but it sounds like such an interesting challenge.
Working collaboratively wasn’t something I had done much of either, Anna. I’d definitely be interested in doing more collaborative work now that I’ve done with the Caper.
It’s not only the challenge aspect of it that’s wonderful, Anna, but the camaraderie. I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve never had difficulty meshing with my fellow writers. Haven’t done anything like it in a long while. I sometimes miss my old high school writing buddies.