2008 Woodie Awards
Author reveals secrets behind writing method
Chris Boning
Issue date: 8/17/08 Section: TruLife
From the publishing house that released the popular PostSecret books comes a work of fiction that deals with secrets in a very different way. "The Safety of Secrets," the second book by author Delauné Michel, explores the relationship between two women, Fiona and Patricia, whose friendship was forged on a secret from their childhood that continues to haunt them as adults. Loyalty and betrayal are the main themes at play, in addition to the question of whether Patricia and Fiona's relationship can persist even after their secret is revealed. The Index recently had an opportunity to talk to Ms. Michel about her book and her thoughts on its themes and her own friendships.
Chris Boning: First of all, who are your favorite writers?
Delauné Michel: The top of my list in terms of being the most influential is Chekhov, Anton Chekhov - not only his plays, but his short fiction. I think in terms of really any kind of fiction writing ... reading Chekhov is a great education because [with] any theatrical piece one has to be very lean and spare, and one has to be all about the action moving forward, and Chekhov was really a master in writing a sentence that on the surface is what the character is saying but also has so many layers of intentions and information about what is going on in that character's life and relationships. ... I love Eudora Welty, Flannery O'Connor, Willa Cather. I love Mona Simpson, Catherine Harrison. I love P.D. James and Michael Connelly and Raymond Chandler ... Richard Price and Richard Ford. ... There's so many.
CB: It sounds like you're very well-read.
DM: I love to read, and I am pretty much self-educated, so reading was how I learned how to write, basically.
CB: When you say you're self-educated, does that mean just as far as your writing career is concerned or in general?
DM: I didn't go to college. I finished high school at the end of 11th grade. I did study acting in New York for three years and trained as an actor. I didn't go to college, much less go through an M.F.A. program, so yes, I am very much self-educated as a writer and in terms of the liberal arts education that I have through my own studying and reading.
Chris Boning: First of all, who are your favorite writers?
Delauné Michel: The top of my list in terms of being the most influential is Chekhov, Anton Chekhov - not only his plays, but his short fiction. I think in terms of really any kind of fiction writing ... reading Chekhov is a great education because [with] any theatrical piece one has to be very lean and spare, and one has to be all about the action moving forward, and Chekhov was really a master in writing a sentence that on the surface is what the character is saying but also has so many layers of intentions and information about what is going on in that character's life and relationships. ... I love Eudora Welty, Flannery O'Connor, Willa Cather. I love Mona Simpson, Catherine Harrison. I love P.D. James and Michael Connelly and Raymond Chandler ... Richard Price and Richard Ford. ... There's so many.
CB: It sounds like you're very well-read.
DM: I love to read, and I am pretty much self-educated, so reading was how I learned how to write, basically.
CB: When you say you're self-educated, does that mean just as far as your writing career is concerned or in general?
DM: I didn't go to college. I finished high school at the end of 11th grade. I did study acting in New York for three years and trained as an actor. I didn't go to college, much less go through an M.F.A. program, so yes, I am very much self-educated as a writer and in terms of the liberal arts education that I have through my own studying and reading.
Be the first to comment on this story