Jody Feldman - January 2023 Featured Author
Award-winning author Jody Feldman never knew she always wanted to be a writer when she grew up. But happenstance led her to a Mizzou Journalism degree and circumstances taught her she can explore anything through the characters in her books. When she’s not traveling you’ll find Jody glued to her writing desk in St. Louis, Missouri. Or watching way too much TV.
How would you characterize what you write? Is there a single, unifying element?
In all my books—published or un—even when my characters go through situations I’d never wish on anyone, I’d like readers come away with even the smallest sense of… I wish that would have been me.
How does that show up in your latest book?
The scary-situation part in No Way Home (my first YA thriller): Tess is living a student-exchange dream in Rome until, via videochat, there’s her counterpart in the U.S. standing over her sleeping parents, brandishing a knife. “Do everything we say, or they will die.”
The “I wish” part: Outside of survival? Sorry. No spoilers.
What challenges have you experienced that you didn't expect?
“Your pacing is off here. Up the tension. Make your MC suffer. No. Suffer more!” Besides that? The last-minute oops in No Way Home. Given the situation, some of the characters necessarily speak Italian. I don’t speak Italian. Initially, I relied on a translation app, knowing I’d later need an editor for certain dialogue. It wasn’t until copyedits that I realized it hadn’t happened. Then came massive scrambling. Thank goodness my agent is involved with the au pair community. She found a native speaker who—bless you, Manuela from Rome!—saved me much embarrassment.
Do you have an agent? What do you love about that relationship?
See above. Plus, I can depend on her to be fully honest with story, submission process, contracts…the whole package.
What is the best conference you've ever attended and why?
My first SCBWI conference in L.A. Yes, the very overwhelming big one was my first ever conference. My introverted self stepped into that huge ballroom not knowing a soul. And my head nearly exploded with all the information and inspiration, but it’s where I connected with my agent which kicked this whole publication process into high gear. (Though high-gear = 4 years before my first MG offer.)
Where do you go for inspiration?
There’s my morning walk/run where I ponder any issue from big picture to minute detail and come away with at least one answer by the end of my miles. If that doesn’t work, I go to the St. Louis Art Museum and wander for two minutes or two hours. (If you haven’t been, it’s wonderful and it’s free. No guilt in not staying.) More figuratively, I turn to my dreams. Before you say, “Forget it; I don’t really dream,” hear me out. I’ve trained myself to recall my dreams when I first wake up. If they’re interesting, I lie there for a beat and coax an entire, logical scene into being. The thing is, when you dream, you tend to make strange associations that your wakeful self might never do; ones that can spark wonderfully divergent ideas that refuse to surface when you’re desperately searching for something new. Then, to me, it logically follows that if your own brain generated those, imagine how much more you’re capable of. There’s power in knowing that.
What is the best piece of advice you've ever been given about writing?
I’ll go with a more recent piece of advice. Go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWHfsEJ5JJo And here: https://johnaugust.com/2019/scriptnotes-ep-403-how-to-write-a-movie-transcript Yes, they’re geared to screenwriters, but go ahead. Watch. Read. Do the work. You won’t be sorry.
Lightning Round:
What do you do when you are not writing? Reading, crossword puzzles, mindless computer games, golf, cooking, traveling, watching sports, movies, TV, thinking about writing.
In what other areas of life do you enjoy being creative? Cooking, doodling, helping others be creative.
What goals do you have for 2023? Marketing. TikTok (oy! But I’m @jodyfeldman). The more your books sell, the easier to get the next contract.
Not a goal? To have three books under contract. I can’t control that, but I can control the goal of writing three books worthy of a contract.
Strangest thing on your writing desk? Hubert, the small stuffed turtle that appeared on my printer one day and has lived there ever since.
If you could suddenly succeed in any occupation, what would it be? Artist with codebreaker or casting director coming in a close second.
What do you love about being a writer?
My top three:
- With ideas to ponder 24/7, it’s nearly impossible to be bored.
- Using just 26 letters, I have created stories that no one else has ever written. They may not be great or even good, but each one is unique and each one is me.
- The opportunity to talk to readers. The energy at schools, libraries, book fests? Rejuvenating, inspiring. Makes me want to be a better writer.
Now the caveat in asking that question is my insistence on stating the flipside. Writing is hard. And when I tell this to the kiddos, you should see their faces light up as I mirror what so many of them feel. By their reaction, it’s clear they agree that it’s so tough and time-consuming and impossible to verbalize those shiny thoughts that have flashed through the brain in a single instant. And how, when we finally commit them to paper or screen, some of their magic just…vanishes. Yet, with all the frustration, there’s nothing I’d rather do.
No Way Home (Sourcebooks 2022, ISBN 978-1-7282-5426-5)