The Shit No One Tells You About Writing
Episode: Exploring How a Single Choice Can Define an Entire Life
Hosts: Bianca Marais, Carly Watters, CeCe Lyra
Guest: Carissa Chen
Release Date: January 16, 2025
1. Introduction and Guest Biography
The episode kicks off with host Bianca Marais introducing the guest, Carissa Chen, a distinguished writer with an impressive array of fellowships and publications. Carissa's work has graced esteemed platforms like The Atlantic, NBC News, and PEN America. Her accolades include a Fulbright Fellowship, a Kundiman Fiction Fellowship, and an Artist Fellowship from the New Jersey Council of the Arts. Currently serving as the Editing Chief at Hyphen Magazine, Carissa holds an MFA in Fiction from Sarah Lawrence College and resides between New Jersey and Taipei, Taiwan.
Notable Quote:
"It's my pleasure to welcome Carissa Chen."
— Bianca Marais [02:49]
2. Inspiration Behind "Home Seeking"
Carissa delves into the deeply personal inspiration for her novel Home Seeking. The catalyst was a poignant photograph of her late grandfather crying in front of a grave, holding joss sticks. This image unveiled the intense emotions tied to his separation from his family during the Chinese Civil War.
Notable Quotes:
"A single choice can define an entire life."
— Flap Copy Read by Bianca Marais [02:47]
"I realized what it would be like to be separated from your mother, from your parents for decades and have never seen them again."
— Carissa Chen [04:50]
3. The Writing Process and Extensive Research
Carissa discusses the extensive research she undertook to authentically portray the historical context of her novel. This involved reading memoirs, academic texts, and short stories from the era, as well as conducting interviews with individuals connected to that time. The research spanned over a decade, ensuring a nuanced and accurate depiction of the tumultuous Chinese history that frames her story.
Notable Quotes:
"This book took me over seven years once it's published, but I spent many years before that just reading articles and watching television."
— Carissa Chen [09:32]
"I emailed her out of the blue and said, can you help me with these things?"
— Carissa Chen [09:32]
4. Navigating Publication and Finding an Agent
Carissa recounts her journey to publication, highlighting the importance of building a portfolio of essays and short stories that eventually attracted literary agents. Her agent, Michelle Brower, initially reached out to her, leading to a successful collaboration. The novel Home Seeking received a preempt offer from Putnam, allowing Carissa to bypass a bidding war and proceed directly with her chosen publisher.
Notable Quotes:
"Are you still interested? Some of them had moved on already."
— Carissa Chen [12:07]
"It's meant to be, which is that the first agent that ever reached out to me ended up being my agent."
— Carissa Chen [12:07]
5. The Use of Language and Names
A significant portion of the discussion centers on Carissa's deliberate choice to reflect the immigrant experience through the portrayal of names and language. She explains how the romanization of Chinese names varies across regions and languages, leading to different pronunciations and spellings. This linguistic complexity serves to authentically depict the disorientation and identity shifts experienced by immigrants.
Notable Quotes:
"I wanted to represent faithfully... navigating this experience of being an immigrant."
— Carissa Chen [19:44]
"If you, the reader, find yourself confused, I hope instead of giving up, you might take a moment to imagine what it must be like for those who have to navigate this on a daily basis."
— Bianca Marais [22:44]
6. Balancing Reader Accessibility with Authenticity
Carissa emphasizes the delicate balance between maintaining authenticity and ensuring reader accessibility. While she acknowledges the potential confusion caused by multiple name spellings and linguistic nuances, she trusts her audience's ability to engage with and appreciate these complexities. Her aim is to immerse readers in the characters' experiences without diluting the cultural authenticity.
Notable Quotes:
"Readers are smarter than sometimes we might worry about... they enjoy having to be challenged a little bit."
— Carissa Chen [25:29]
"My job as a writer is to convey an experience as authentically as possible."
— Carissa Chen [25:29]
7. Narrative Techniques: Music as a Framework
A standout feature of Home Seeking is the integral role of music in framing the narrative. Carissa illustrates how her protagonist, a violinist, uses music as a coping mechanism amidst the chaos of war and displacement. This motif not only enriches the character development but also serves as a bridge connecting past and present timelines within the story.
Notable Quotes:
“He tried to listen only to the single lonely violin that closed out the end of the movement.”
— Excerpt Read by CeCe Leera [30:18]
"I always knew that as I was writing, it just sort of appeared... how I need to have him move through the world and understand things."
— Carissa Chen [37:04]
Excerpt Highlight:
“He had never been religious, but he felt an element of truth to this... the music carried his prayers that he would live to see them again...”
— Excerpt Read by CeCe Leera [30:18]
8. Editing and Preserving the Author’s Vision
Carissa shares her positive experience with her editor, Tara Sing Carlson, who instinctively understood and respected her vision for the novel. This harmonious collaboration ensured that the narrative's authenticity remained intact without unnecessary alterations from copy editors.
Notable Quotes:
"She instinctively understood that this is what I was trying to do, and they went with it."
— Carissa Chen [25:56]
9. Final Thoughts and Encouragement
Wrapping up the interview, Bianca and Carissa reflect on the importance of perseverance in writing. Carissa's journey underscores the value of building a diverse writing portfolio and trusting the organic development of one's narrative.
Notable Quotes:
"Working on these short pieces and continuing to sort of send those out... is a great way, not just for you as a writer in terms of practice."
— Carissa Chen [15:20]
"Have faith in your process and allow your story to unfold authentically."
— Bianca Marais [38:38]
Conclusion
This episode of The Shit No One Tells You About Writing offers a profound exploration of how a single choice—rooted in personal history—can shape an entire life's work. Carissa Chen's meticulous approach to storytelling, her dedication to authentic representation, and her insightful narrative techniques provide emerging writers with valuable lessons in craft, resilience, and the power of deeply personal inspiration.
For More:
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