Marisha Pessl

Marisha Pessl's official website. Author of best-selling books such as Special Topics in Calamity Physics and the highly anticipated novel, Night Film.

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viereckieg-augen asked- Your novels are long and complex. What do you do to not get lost in a story? What happens if you do?

Marisha- I get lost all the time. That unknown, dislocated, "oh f*ck" feeling is part of the writing process and should be embraced -- even though it's scary.  Sometimes you're walking through the jungle and you have no idea where you are, that's when you stop and start problem-solving (while remaining calm)--I will look at things from a different angle, try something unexpected, like reversing the reader's expectations.  The crucial thing is not to walk away or give up, but stay engaged with the work and trust yourself to keep discovering what will work.  Don't be afraid to make mistakes or bad choices -- you can always go back and kill off that character or hidden deep dark secret in the next draft.  Hope that is helpful to you.

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Crazyinspired asked- Is writing easy for you? You're so talented, it makes me wonder if you ever struggle during the creative process. Congrats on your well-deserved success!

Marisha- What a kind thing to say, thank you.  I love to write and with all things you love, sometimes it's easy and sometimes it's a slog.  The ease of the process goes in waves.  As I write my new book I feel much freer and light about the writing process.  Night Film felt more difficult overall.  But I don't expect things to be easy either and when they aren't I don't freak out or think something's "wrong", but accept that it's a necessary part of the process.  I've found that the major difference between a professional working writer and one who isn't is the one who will still write even when it's uncomfortable to do so.  There's a belief that when someone is successful, everything comes easily and that's simply not true.    

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imarijack asked- Do you have crafted character plans and action maps before you start writing?

Marisha- I have scribbled down notes on character and plot and ideas.  All ideas and thoughts for constructing a novel I like to write out by hand as there's something organic to that process.  From that blueprint I'll start the writing process. 

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Piddleton asked: Hi Marisha. First, congrats on Night Film–it was outstanding! I was hypnotized from the very beginning. My question is, when you embark on writing a novel, do you ever get intimidated by the sheer scope of it, e.g., subplots, number of characters, etc. If so, how do you plow through?

Marisha: Thank you so much!  It's funny I used to get quite intimidated by a large scope and there were certainly times in the writing of Night Film I felt way out of my wheelhouse, but now -- at least lately -- I sort of trust that it will all work out in the end and that there are connections happening that will make sense later, even if they don't now.  Which can be a good life philosophy as well.  All in all I'd say "Embrace the uncertainty.  And keep going."

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RoadsideFireworks asked- Did you pick upstate New York (i.e. the Adriondacks) for the setting of The Peak because there is a lot of real-life cult activity in that part of the country? Is that where you drew some of your inspiration?

Marisha- I grew up in Asheville, North Carolina and one of the wonderful things about growing up there in the Smoky Mountains were the campfire stories of occult practices and all kinds of mayhem that went on -- and still supposedly does -- in those mountains.   I think the myths around the supernatural and the occult really thrive where there is any kind of rural uncharted wilderness.  These pockets of the wild still exist -- thank goodness -- and in that unknown we can create the most arresting stories.  One invident that made a major impression on me as a child was a young teenager girl was found dead -- murdered -- along the Blue Ridge Parkway, which was close to where I lived.  There were rumors that the police found evidence of occult practices when they found her body, but that was never substantiated and her murder remains unsolved.

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What Inspires You?

american-hustle asked: Hey Ms Pessl! Both of your books are all-time favorites, and I was wondering what books/film/music inspires you? A more specific question, in case you're bored of answering that one a billion times: What do you do when you feel stuck? & NIGHT FILM had so many great side-characters (I love Nora like crazy); how do you balance the amount of screen time each sub plot and character get? Again, thanks so much! :)

Marisha- I'd say it's masterful storytelling that inspires me whether it's a film, book, TV series.  WIth music it would be something that inspires a mood or emotion.  All great art takes you somewhere.  Even if I end up in the same place where I started it doesn't matter -- it's where I go in between those two points that matters. In terms of feeling stuck: Stick around.  Just don't get up and you'll inevitably find something that gets your imagination going. 

Submit your questions for me HERE.

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Lois Crouse asked- Night Film: Best, most gripping and well-written book I've read in a long time! One question: How would Marlowe know so much about Ashley? She was the wife prior to Astrid and out of their lives by the time Ashley was born. Also, why she was married only three months to Cordova was never addressed. Thank you for the most thrilling literary experience. 

Hi Lois.  Thanks for your question.  I love to hear that it was an absorbing read so thank you.  It's definitely clear that Marlowe has kept in touch with Cordova even in her reclusive state and this way she has insight into the family -- up to a point, of course.  Marlowe does mention that her marriage to C was like a hothouse flower, thriving only under the specific delicate conditions of living at the Peak.  Away from that environment the relationship wilted and would not work.  I suspect that he served her divorce papers out of the blue shortly after she left The Peak because she didn't want to spend her life there--but I'm just the author, what do I know?  

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I'll be answering more questions this week. Don't forget to submit yours by clicking HERE.

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Cordova Inspiration

thegillsgirls asked: I just watched a film on J.D Salinger and his life was eerily similar to Mr. Cordovas in Night Film! Were you inspired by him? Or complete coincidence?

Marisha: I was definitely influenced by Salinger and Kubrick -- and all other reclusive / secluded artists who choose to live and crate art behind a wall of some kind.  I have that need for seclusion myself when I'm creating and it's a constant balancing act to keep it in check, like regulating a dam -- knowing when to let the world in and when to keep it out.  

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The Best Book of 2013

ryancmillerstuff asked: What's the best book you read in 2013? What are you excited to read in 2014?

Marisha- The best book I read in 2013 was a biography of Tennessee Williams called Tom by Lyle Leverich.  In 2014 I'm catching up on 2013, so I'm about to dive into The Signature of All Things by Liz Gilbert. 

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If You Were Stuck on a Deserted Island

thelonelyghost69 asked: What would be your desert island book?

Marisha- All the Pretty Horses, Cormac McCarthy

Ask me your questions!

[marishapessl]

My Next Novel

cpnick asked: Are you working on your next novel? I liked the first two very much, and have recommended them to many folks. I believe you would enjoy my novel, DALLAS BLOOD. A family of artists in Dallas in 1938. A love story and the first production of G.F. Lorca's 'Blood Wedding. in the US. It also travels to Taos New Mexico with a shocking ending.

Marisha: Yes, I am working on my next novel.  And Dallas Blood sounds fascinating.  I know a lot of Texans who would really love that title.  Congratulations!

I'm having fun answering your questions. Keep sending them in!

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Immersing Yourself in Research

Anonymous: Do you find that you often have to immerse yourself in research that takes you out of your comfort zone? Marisha: Certainly--but when the story calls for it. With Night Film I definitely left my apartment and wandered the same streets that the characters do, but with other novels that kind of physical field trip isn't required, so it depends on what I'm writing.

If you have a question for me you can submit it in my ask box and I'll try to answer this week!

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What comes first?

Albertomansur asked: I read that you used to plot your stories but don't anymore. What comes first in your creative process? The characters or the story?

Marisha: Beginning a new novel is like setting off on a lonely expedition, delving down into the ocean in a submarine -- so I definitely don't limit myself in terms of starting with character and then moving on to place.  It's more of a 360 degree exploration of a new world and all the vertigo, amazement, stir craziness and awe associated with such a voyage.

Do you have a question for me? Submit it HERE. I'll be answering your questions this week!

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My ask box is ready and waiting for you to fill it with your questions. Bring it on!

http://marishapessl.com/ask/

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http://instagram.com/marishapessl

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Forget it, Jake. It's #Chinatown.