Nell Stark is a graduate student of medieval English literature in Madison, WI, where she lives with her partner and their two cats. When she is not teaching, writing, or teaching in the Writing Center, she enjoys reading, cooking, and any sport that involves a lot of running around maniacally. Her first novel, Running With the Wind, was published by Bold Strokes Books in March of 2007. She has recently started work on her second novel with BSB, an urban fantasy titled Free to Fall. She can be reached at
, or by visiting www.nellstark.com.
Tell us a bit about your childhood; did you know from a young age that you wanted to be a writer?
I can't remember a time when I wasn't crafting stories in some capacity or another. By way of example — I was obsessed with horses as a very young child, and would construct somewhat elaborate narratives about girls who owned ponies and their equine adventures. I'm not sure that I ever consciously "wanted to be a writer," though. Writing has always been something that's just simply a part of me — that I need to do. I can't really help it. :) So in that sense, I've always been, and always will be, a "writer." But I'm really grateful for the chance to be a professional writer, now – I never thought that would happen!
You're an English Lit graduate now working toward a doctorate in Medieval English Lit. How do you balance studies with writing?
*Looks around furtively for my professors* I'll confess, sometimes I don't juggle very well. Nell's life is, at the moment, far more exciting than her alter ego's meager graduate student existence. :) But I'm getting along, and one technique that does help is to see my writing as a break from my studies and teaching obligations. Having Nell as an alternate identity also helps; by separating my grad-student-self and my author-self, I find that I'm able to manage them both somewhat effectively. And yes, I realize that I sound like I have Multiple Personality Disorder. *grin*
Your first book, Running With The Wind, is slated for release from Bold Strokes Books in March 2007. What were the highs and lows of writing the book?
This is a really fun question. I had to work to put myself back into the headspace that I was in when writing the book. I'm not sure that I can identify a specific "high," to be honest. There were many high moments for me — from those precious times when my prose was just "flowing," to hearing my partner's enthusiastic reaction after her first read-through, to the instant I hit the "send" button when submitting it to BSB (I was listening to "Galvanize" by the Chemical Brothers). And then there was the moment when Radclyffe called me on the phone to say that she wanted the book...that was a definite high. :)
As far as lows go...the original chapter nine (in my first draft) gave me fits. I had to stop writing it for a month. I just couldn't figure out what to do with all of the information that needed to be packed into that chapter. It's now been revised and restructured several times since that point, but I was pretty grumpy for a good long while. Thankfully, that time has passed!
You incorporated your love of sailing into Running With The Wind. Do you still have time to sail in between the writing and studying?
Fortunately, I do. I teach sailing part-time during the summer, so I get to hone my skills every season. It's much harder to find the time in the spring and fall when school is in session, so I try to maximize my time on the water during the summer. I'm a total junkie, actually. :) Speaking of which, I hereby offer all readers an invitation: if you're in Madison during the summer, please drop me a line and I'll be more than happy to take you sailing on the larger of our two lakes. I haven't yet dumped a visitor in the drink. *grin*
What are you currently working on?
Haha, at the moment, I'm working on grading my students' last papers before their final exams. But when I need a break from that, I turn to the several projects I have on my backburner: some pieces of short fiction, and my next novel project, titled Free to Fall. That will be an "urban fantasy" work, which will tap into the Jewish apocryphal legend of the Nephilim—angel/human hybrids. And it'll be very sexy. ;) I'm excited for winter break so that I can have more time to really start hammering it out.
Which authors have, and continue to inspire your own writing?
Very tough question! The first answer that comes to mind is JRR Tolkien. I read Lord of the Rings when I was eight, and it made a lasting impression on me. He's a masterful storyteller and world-builder. Most recently, though, I've been reading a lot of lesbian fiction. Radclyffe's Safe Harbor was the book that inspired me to try penning my own lesbian romance. I especially love her strong and engaging characters. Karin Kallmaker's work has also influenced me, especially in my experiments with a variety of styles and tones. Georgia Beers's fiction has taught me a lot about how the story line and the characters really aren't separate at all. Reese Szymanski has taught me a great deal about the ins and outs (heh heh) of writing erotica. And JD Glass and Susan Smith continue to bowl me over with the sheer intensity of their prose.
How do you approach starting a new book? Do you have a specific set of rules or is it different for each story/novel?
I generally have a vague outline before I begin writing, though certain parts of the book will be clearer to me than others. It's important to have the beginning as crystallized in my head as possible; once I start writing that, I effectively cross my fingers that the next chapter will unfold in due course. While I don't have any hard and fast rules for myself, I find that my process generally takes the same form each time. And my partner is indispensable in that process; She helps me with everything from brainstorming to nitty-gritty editing.
A degree in English must come in handy when you're a writer.
First off, let me just say that I'm very grateful for my education. I've been really lucky. :) But like pretty much anything, I think my degree is a two-edged sword. Having studied literature, I've read a lot, and that's a huge bonus for writing. My training also ensures that I have a strong command of grammar, and that I understand how to manipulate themes, tones, and moods. On the other hand, my "critical eye" can get in the way of getting words down onto a page. Sometimes I'll agonize over a paragraph for far longer than I should, rather than simply letting it be and returning to it later.
What does the term 'lesbian fiction' mean to you?
I guess I define the genre rather broadly: stories written about lesbians. My favorite works of lesbian fiction are those tales that celebrate lesbians persisting in the face of obstacles and embracing their sensuality and sexuality, but I wouldn't say that for me, those are necessary qualities of "lesbian fiction."
Is there anything you'd like to see more/less of in the genre?
I'd like to see more exploration, I think. Less convention. Not everyone pairs off and lives happily ever after. I like those stories quite a bit — but I'm also intrigued by characters who push the envelope in terms of their identities, relationships, etc. I enjoy every genre for its conventions...but I also enjoy surprises.
Do you tend to have multiple projects going on at the same time, or do you prefer to focus on one thing at a time?
I can definitely juggle a novel with several short stories at once, but I don't think I could ever work on two novels simultaneously. That would fry me. *grin* I really admire those who can do so, though!
Do you write much short fiction?
I do, yes. I have short erotica pieces in Erotic Interludes 3 and 4, in After Midnight (ed. Chelsea James), and in Wild Nights (ed. Reese Szymanski). I love writing erotic short fiction for several reasons, one of which is its versatility; the genre allows me to experiment with different voices, styles and tones.
Are there other specific types of writing you would like to try your hand at?
I've done a little bit of amateur screenwriting; I'm untrained in that genre, but I enjoyed my experience and would love to learn more about it.
Do you ever suffer from writer's block? How do you deal with it?
I have, yes, and it drives me nuts! I'm not very good at dealing with it, either. I become very insecure when it's difficult to write. During those times, I try to brainstorm a lot, and to work on other hobbies in an effort to relax. I've found that when I become stressed about not being productive, the block gets even worse.
If you were a book, what would it be?
Awesome question. And difficult. I think the answer would vary from minute to minute. At this particular instant, though: The Woman Warrior, by Maxine Hong Kingston.
Tell us something about Nell Stark no one else knows…
Hmmm, let's see...my partner should really be the one answering this question. :) But one thing that comes to mind is that I still have the teddy bear that was waiting for me in my crib when my parents brought me home from the hospital as an infant. His name is Rascal Bear, and he's completely worn out but I still cuddle him when I'm stressed out or need comfort. Awwww. ;)
Thanks, Lynne!
Any advice for aspiring writers?
Read a lot. Write even more. Form workshop groups with other writers whose work you respect. Persist. Feel deeply. Write outside your comfort zone.
