In Conversation with Local Author Sarah Addison Allen
Sarah Addison Allen, New York Timesbestselling author of seven magical realism novels, lives and writes in nearby Asheville. We asked her about her writing process, including how she stays inspired and the role place plays in her works. This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
You’ve described your writing as “Southern-fried magic realism.” Is there anything about your chosen home of western North Carolina that lends itself to the magical realism so prevalent in your work? We’re born storytellers in the South, and we like our tall tales. Are the stories true? Or are they too tall to be believed? It’s usually a mixture of both, because not everything has to be real to be true.
Can you tell us a little about your process for dreaming up new books? Where do you find inspiration for characters, and how do you determine where the stories will go? A funny thing about writers is we’re divided into two types: Plotters and Pantsers (writing by the seat of your pants). I’m a true Pantser. I can’t plot first, and then write. I have to start writing, and then the plot appears. It’s like I’m on a road trip with no idea where I’m going. It’s a frustrating way to write, and it lends itself to a lot of wrong turns, but I get there in the end. And it’s always an adventure.
Who are some of your favorite authors, and how have they influenced your writing? I have so many favorites, but I think the two books that influenced me most are I Am One of You Forever by late North Carolina writer Fred Chappell and Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman. Chappell’s book was the first I read that took magical realism and put it into a Southern settling. And Hoffman’s book was the first I read that took magical realism and made it romantic. They taught me as a writer that a book doesn’t have to be just one genre. It can be a combination of many.
What is your favorite book you’ve read in the past year? Too many favorites again! But I’m going with Remarkably Bright Creatures [by Shelby Van Pelt].
What inspired you to write your most recent novel, Other Birds? I lost my mom and my sister days apart while writing Other Birds, so the book became a cathartic way for me to explore how we hold on to the people we love, and how to finally let go of them.
How would you describe the literary community in Asheville? We have a long, rich literary community in Asheville. Some writers are born here, a product of deep roots. Others moved here, attracted by the beauty and vibe. But we all take inspiration from this extraordinary place.
Learn more about author Sarah Addison Allen at her website, and check out her books below.
