An Interview With
Author J.E. Irvin
J.E. Irvin has long
been a storyteller who understands the quiet power of human connection. Through
her novels, short fiction, and essays, she invites readers into worlds shaped
by empathy, tension, and the complicated beauty of everyday lives. Her work—thoughtful,
layered, and deeply attuned to character—has earned her a loyal readership and
a respected place in today’s literary landscape.
In this conversation, we explore the inspirations behind her authorship, the
craft choices that guide her writing, and the experiences that continue to
shape her voice. Whether you’re discovering her work for the first time or have
followed her journey through the years, J.E. Irvin offers insights that linger
long after the final page.
Welcome, J.E.!
GM: Every writer has that one scene or character that
surprises them. Did anything in your new book, BURIED, take on a life of its own while you
were drafting?
JEI: Fabulous question! Since I’m a pantser [a
writer who creates stories with little to no prior planning or outlining,
preferring to "fly by the seat of their pants" and discover the plot
as they write], I start with a rough idea of who, what, where, when, but I usually
haven’t mapped out the HOW. When surprises pop up, I enjoy them as much as the
reader does! Having said that, the opening of BURIED surprised even me by what
it reveals as the main character’s medical hurdle (Carl, who changed her name
from Carole – reason explained in the novel). I hadn’t planned precisely for that
revelation, nor the other twists that occur later: ID of bones, phone call, new
characters.
GM: You've written across several genres and
themes over the years. How has your approach to authorship evolved as you’ve
grown your body of work?
JEI: At first, I just wanted to tell the story, to get
everything down in order, to actually complete an entire manuscript and then write
another one. Now, my honest goal is to improve my art and craft with each
successive book -in plot, character development, the prose itself. I’m also a
poet. I strive to bring the imagery and sound quality of poems into the
narrative and descriptive parts of my novels. When I teach, I tell students
that “we all know instinctively what good writing is.” Then I strive to achieve
that in my own work.
GM: Your website, janetirvin.com, gives readers a glimpse into your
creative world. What part of your writing life do you wish more readers could
see behind the scenes?
JEI: The long hours, the interior rumination, the
multiple rejections of submitted work, and the sheer joy of the writing itself
– all impossible to truly convey. I suppose I also wish they knew how important
this was to me, that it’s not a hobby but the true and honest calling of a born
storyteller.
GM: When you’re not actively writing, what keeps your
imagination humming — books you’re reading, places you wander, conversations
that linger?
JEI: What doesn’t end up as inspiration! I tend to set
stories in places I have visited – Wanakena, NY in the Adirondacks; Saugatuck,
Michigan along the lake; or in fictional towns that closely resemble my own.
When I hike, I listen to the natural world, which always has something to tell
me. I watch the news, read as widely as I can (although I’m partial to
romantasy, science fiction, romance, and any fiction that is well-written and
recommended by friends). News stories frequently jumpstart a ‘what if’
question. That is what led to my first novel – The Dark End of the Rainbow.
Lines of conversation, phrases in an article, a seemingly weird event or action
will send me spiraling into an idea. Once in Chicago, I overheard one side of a
cell phone conversation when the speaker said, “I told him not to take my
pants!” I’m still trying to figure out how that story unfolds! I have a huge
list of titles, plot lines, and story ideas which I will never have time to
explore fully.
GM: What are you currently reading?
JEI: Just finished a Martha Wells robot tale, a Lucy
Score ARC, and several YA novels set in Revolutionary War times: Johnny
Tremain by Esther Forbes, My Brother Sam IS Dead by Collier and
Collier, The Fighting Ground by Avi. I’m halfway through Chains by
Laurie Halse Anderson and just picked up two books from the library: The
Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing and The Binding. I’m
hoping to develop a course around the YA books to celebrate the 250th
anniversary of our republic.
GM: Who's your favorite author?
JEI: This is always a very difficult question to answer
because it depends on the genre. My favorite poet is W.B. Yeats. My favorite
s-f author is Frank Herbert. In romantasy it’s a tight race between Sarah J
Maas and Jennifer Armentrout. When it comes to mysteries, Arthur Conan Doyle,
Russell Silvis, and Robert Galbraith’s Strike series. In literary fiction, I’m
afraid the list is really too long, but I might mention Anthony Doerr and Elizabeth
Strout as favorites. The one thing all the authors have in common is an ability
to use language in the most startling and compelling way and to craft worlds I
want to linger in.
GM: What's your best advice for novice writers, looking
to embrace authorship?
JEI: Perseverance, a strong critique group, and desire.
So, put your butt in the chair and write. Be open to honest, constructive
criticism, and don’t give up.
GM: What's for lunch?
JEI: Right now, I have given up lunch in favor of
writing (and studying Italian on Babbel!), but when I do have time, I love a
turkey sandwich with Swiss cheese, tomato, lettuce, and mayo, chips, and a Coke.
And always a piece of chocolate to sweeten the day.
Connect with J. E. Irvin Books:
www.janetirvin.com
https://www.facebook.com/janeteirvin
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