INTERVIEWS --->> list of interviews
Interview with David Ellis
I first met David Ellis at the last Bouchercon in Toronto. Introduced to me by Katy Munger as a "great guy" and a great writer, I sat down with him as he tried to finish a colossal bowl of pasta. The great guy thing showed within minutes. The great writer thing took longer. First I had to buy one of his books, then read it. After Life Sentence, I was convinced that Katy Munger was right on all counts. In that book, Mr. Ellis takes the risk of writing in the first person, present tense. Unusual, but it pays off in a big way. When I heard his next book, In the Company of Liars, takes an even bigger risk from a writing point of view, I demanded that he speak with me. He complied.
1) Your website mentions some of your current favorite authors, but I'm wondering if there are lessons that you can say you've learned from your readings -- anything you read, said "Wow! I'd like to try that or I like that way of doing things?"
Whenever I see an author take a chance on doing something different, I am inspired. Many authors are afraid to deviate from what they're currently doing. It was for this reason that I decided to write my new novel, In the Company of Liars, in reverse chronological order. I firmly believe that readers want to see their favorite authors try something different, challenge both themselves and the readers.
2) First person, present tense -- this is of course, a very intimate way of writing a story, we get into the character's thoughts as those thoughts are forming. Is there something you want us to know about lawyers? Something you want to reveal about The Secret Lives of Lawyers through your books?
Yes, I have used a first-person, present-tense twice in the past (Line of Vision, Life Sentence). I want people to see the law the same way lawyers see it -- which is to say, cynically at times and hopefully at times. Most lawyers are very cynical about the ability of the law to achieve the "right result," and yet most of them have stories where they were able to help people in need of help by using their skills. I want readers to see the stress of legal work and the ambiguity in the law up close and personal, and often the most effective way to do that is through the first-person.
3) Also, having read the first chapter at your website, your latest book seems to be a departure in at least two ways -- is it going to be first person? More importantly, talk about the challenges presented by writing a book backwards. Did it make you grow any new skills?
In the Company of Liars is a third-person account told from multiple viewpoints. And, as you mentioned, it is written in reverse chronological order. The first chapter is the "end" of the novel. The next chapter is one day earlier, then another day earlier, etc. until the last chapter of the book, which is the beginning of the story.
So, yes, this is a "first" in plotting and in terms of viewpoints. This book is also a departure because it is not a "legal thriller," which is a term I don't really like, anyway. Liars is more of a straight thriller.
I did have to develop new talents. I had to be able to make this unique concept accessible to the reader. I had to get the reader accustomed to reading a new chapter that came, chronologically, before the previous one -- to almost "train" the reader before the plot became too complicated. Plus, I had to invest the reader enough in the characters to make the reader care about why things happened, not just what happened to them.
Finally, I had to think of a plot that would lend itself to a reverse-narrative. Naturally, because this is a thriller-mystery, some things are going to be seen one way initially, then another way later. But if you're showing the "end of the story" first, and then going back to the "beginning," this is more like a magic trick than anything else. You see the rabbit-in-the-hat, then you go back and reveal how the rabbit came out of the hat ... and then, you reveal that maybe it wasn't a rabbit that you saw at all.
4) While we're on this topic, can you assess what are your skills as a writer? I mean are there things that you believe you do better than average? (Kind of a lame question, but ...)
My strength is plotting, which is why, when I decided to "do something different," I realized that the plotting structure would be the thing I changed. I believe (hope) I use authentic dialogue and provide very strong plot twists, particularly at the climax of my books. My plots are intricate but well-tied up at the end. I think I am effective at misdirection, such that something right in front of your eyes is not what you think it is.
5) The advice you give to readers on your website relates mostly to sticking to it. But are there any Don'ts on your list of things for writers to worry about? Something you wish you saw less of in books being published? Something you hope never to see again even from children writing stories for school contests?
Don't compete with other authors. There is no reason why one person's success diminishes your chances at success. It's not a zero-sum, either/or game. Be glad that people are reading any books, because we need to keep reading alive, especially with young people.
Don't be afraid of rejection.
Don't stop trying to improve as an author, even if you achieve success.
Don't stop concentrating on the art -- the story -- no matter how much you obsess about marketing and print runs and sales.
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