Date
Sat August 1, 2009
Ten Questions with Marianne Paul
View more items filed under “Ten Questions With” in our Open Book Archives.
Ten Questions with jp Rodriguez
Submitted by clelia on December 14, 2009 - 11:13am
Open Book talks to jp Rodriguez about reading, writing and his book, The Space Between (Darkstar Fiction). Open Book: Toronto:Tell us about your latest book. jp Rodriguez:In The Space Between, the unnamed narrator decided long ago that human misery results from seeking the extreme heights of happiness – and then falling from them. Avoiding life’s lows by shunning its highs, he was reasonably contented – until he met Kira on a trip to New York and fell in love. But he managed to tear himself away, hoping he’d be content just knowing she exists. He isn’t, and now an act of senseless violence has awakened him to the suffering in the world. He’s filled with regret over the happiness he’s denied himself and the good he hasn’t done – it’s time to do something about this self-absorbed world where he sees too few people with the integrity to accept responsibility for their actions. He leaves his life behind and sets off on a journey in search of direction. The problem is, his heart knows what to do to make his life livable again, but if he obeys, his mind will say he no longer deserves to live. Either way, it’s time for action. OBT:Did you have a specific readership in mind when you wrote your book? jpR:Basically anyone who now and then ponders the meaning of life and how we humans might better ourselves – in other words, everybody. OBT:Describe your ideal writing environment. jpR:A hotel room with a desk in front of a window looking out on a large city in which I do not live. No one knows I’m there and there’s a guitar nearby. The sun’s just rising and there are no clouds in the sky. OBT:What was your first publication? jpR:"File 2," a short story published in Mendacity Review, 09/06. OBT:Describe a recent Canadian cultural experience that influenced your writing. jpR:
I hate to bring up politics, but… OBT:If you had to choose three books as a “Welcome to Canada” gift, what would those books be? jpR:
The Underpainter by Jane Urquhart OBT:What are you reading right now? jpR:Temple of the Golden Pavilion by Yukio Mishima. For the second time. OBT:What’s the best advice you’ve ever received as a writer? jpR:Ninety-nine times out of 100 your story should be shorter than it is. (But keep your eye out for that one in 100; sometimes adding one sentence can make all the difference.) OBT:What advice do you have for writers who are trying to get published? jpR:Keep sending and sending and sending and sending and.… Have your work constantly circulating out there – the publishing industry moves at a glacial pace and life is only so long. And never think about publishing while you’re actually writing. OBT:What is your next project? jpR:I’m currently editing my third novel, Seen Through, which involves a woman with an uncanny ability to “read” people and a musician burying her demons while struggling with her band’s success. These two women meet and can do nothing but put their lives on hold while they attempt to understand one another – and maybe even themselves.
Related item from our archives |