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The Writer's Soul An Interview with Barbara Casey By Elaine August
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Although Illinois was home, then college/career years in North Carolina and years of extensive US travel and abroad – What finally persuaded you to settle in Florida? I was married to Willis Casey, director of athletics at NC State University. Both of my daughters from a previous marriage had graduated from college and were working in Florida. My parents were retired and living in Florida as well. So when Willis retired, we decided to move to Florida where we would be closer to my family. I am sure it was meant to happen, because the house we bought was one we had fallen in love with several years earlier while vacationing in the West Palm Beach area. How has Florida living influenced and/or changed your writing; as well as your manuscript evaluation and editorial services and a newly formed literary agency? As much as I love North Carolina, I have really enjoyed living in Florida. I think my writing has gone through a natural growth, but also I find that many of the themes I focus on in my writing is directly connected to the things I am exposed to in Florida. Also, much of what I am writing now is for the adult market as well as the children's. In my adult novel, Shyla's Initiative, I go into the elements of an ancient religion, Santeria. I knew nothing about Santeria until I moved to Florida, but it is something that is part of life here. I was able to actually visit botanicas and witness various rituals as part of my research for this novel. I also have a new middle-grade novel coming out early next year, The Airs of Tillie, which is the story of a young girl who is the daughter of a sugarcane field foreman, but who wants to be part of the show horse community. Both Shyla's Initiative and The Airs of Tillie were a result of my living in Florida. What has most surprised you about Florida living? I guess the biggest surprise has been the enormous cultural diversity. Before moving to Florida, what time I spent here was brief. But now that I live here, I am learning about the different cultures and using what I learn as much as I can in my writing.
Barbara, Florida
is home to many well-known authors. What does the talent base you have now
worked with compare to other parts of the country?
As an editorial consultant and literary agent, I evaluate work from all over
the world. I don't find one area any more prolific than another. Rather, I
seem to notice trends. For instance, I will receive manuscripts for a
period of time that simply haven't been polished enough to submit. Then all
of a sudden, I will receive thirty or more manuscripts at once that are
exceptionally good. Another thing that seems to happen is the repetition of
themes. Sometimes I will receive five or six manuscripts in one week that
all have to do with spousal abuse or some related theme. Or maybe I will
receive several children's manuscripts all having a bunny as the
protagonist. It must be some sort of pattern of cosmic creativity.
You have a wonderful background that goes far beyond
'penning' the diversity in all your writing and won awards throughout many
fields from poetry to children's books to short stories and essays and now
adult novels. Which area offers you the most challenge and enjoyment?
Tell us about your television special that you both
wrote and coordinated in North Carolina.
That was such an exciting event for me. I had just been named Director of
Public Relations for a small, co-educational liberal arts college in North
Carolina that was struggling with its enrollment, along with so many other
colleges at that time. I worked up a proposal and convinced the television
network to run a thirty-minute special about the college. The day they came
for the shoot, they filmed the grounds, classes in session, the cafeteria,
library, and we even had the choir to sing. The campus was so beautiful and
the weather cooperated. For all the work and effort that went into the
thirty-minute show, enrollment increased over the next couple of years and
the college didn't have to close.
"Shyla's Initiative" is your first adult novel. What moved you over into
this genre?
I think most writers will understand what I mean by the "voice" that leads
us to write what we do. For some reason, my child's voice has been replaced
by my adult voice. The story of Shyla formed and it could only be told from
an adult perspective. I still plan to write other children's books, but for
now I seem to be happy writing adult novels. The 2003 Independent Publishers Book Award just went to you for "Shyla's Initiative". This rich romantic tale that delves into an ancient African practice with sacraments and prayers keeps the reader turning the pages. The story is alive with tradition that transports us into another culture that still exists in some communities today. What took you to the hunting grounds of Regla de Ocha? I had been trying to sell a property without much success when someone told me I should visit a botanica and purchase a St. Joseph's statue. Supposedly, if I buried it in the yard a certain way, the property would sell within days. As a writer, I like to keep an open mind about things, but this was a little strange, even for me. Still, I found a botanica and the moment I walked through the door, my imagination soared. The aromas, the colors, the shapes of all the objects simply bombarded me. When I left the store, I not only had the statue of St. Joseph with me, I also had the beginning of Shyla's Initiative. Incidentally, that property?--It sold the next morning. Has all of your travel strongly influenced your poetry and books? I would like to think that it has. Not only has my travel given me insight into various cultures, people, and situations, it has helped develop me as an individual. I am a writer in every since of the word. I really enjoy my quiet time where I do nothing but create ideas and write about them. Of course, poetry tends to be a language all of its own. It is the essence of language--a short hand, if you will, of emotion and thought. Does your work with The Jamaican Writers Circle and Mico Teachers College in Kingston come into your world of stories as well? I am sure it does without my even realizing it. I spent several days in Jamaica not too long ago presenting a writers workshop. The experience of spending time with the people who until then had sent me so many manuscripts was something I will always consider special. They opened their homes and their hearts to me, and I am honored to be working with them. Can you tell us a little about your recent editorial work with the Albanian children's stories. Ferit Lamaj, a famous author in Albania with over fifty books to his credit, contacted me about doing some editorial work on a collection of Albanian children's stories and fables he was writing for publication in the English market. It was a privilege to work on this project, and when it was completed, I was given special recognition as the editor on the project. Barbara, your many literary hats cover a lot of ground. How do you divide your day to allow for your own writing and book promotion. And where is that favorite 'creative corner' for just you? Covering so many areas isn't easy. Both the manuscript editorial work and the literary agency are demanding. I really love working with other writers and occasionally illustrators, though, and helping them get published. When I get an idea for something I want to write, I usually sort it all out in my head before I even start actually writing it. By doing that, it doesn't take me too terribly long to actually write a book. Of course there are always exceptions, but I usually know the title, the beginning, and the ending, as well as several things in between that sort of guide me through the story as I am writing. Once I start, it takes on a life of its own and the words flow.
As a frequent guest speaker - what questions come from fellow writers and
what advice would you give them today?
It is so important for writers to be patient and realistic about their
expectations. Publishing is harder than ever with the use of computers and
massive multiple submissions. Editors are overwhelmed with work and most
publishing houses don't have the financial means they once had. This makes
competition really tough. I strongly believe, though, if the manuscript is
good, it will get published. Not all books are destined to become best
sellers or made into multi-million dollar movies. However, there are other
rewards, whether you get published by a small publisher or a mega
corporation. Writers need to keep writing and learning from each thing they
write. Above all, writers shouldn't take rejection personally.
What do you admire in the contemporary publishing world today? How does it
differ from ten years ago?
No question, it was much easier to get published ten years ago. Today,
publishers are much more selective and focused on what they want--what kind
of image they want to project. Getting published is challenging, but once
you are fortunate enough to break into the publishing world, the
satisfaction is enormous.
2003/2004 will see five more 'Casey' releases. Can
you tell us about them. Will Shyla Wishon continue with her new life and
have some more surprises in store for us?
I have two adult novels, two middle-grade novels, and one children's early
chapter book scheduled for release over the next two years. Shyla won't be
a part of my new adult novels. Instead, there will be new characters and
new situations. As I mentioned before, I really like to work with
relationships and get into the minds of my characters. These books will
have new problems and new resolutions. Probably, for me, the satisfaction
comes in the writing. But there is always a desire in the back of my mind
to make my readers feel a degree of satisfaction as well once they have read
my books.
Barbara Casey’s take on those problems and resolutions reach readers of her
youth and adult books. Unique situations, real life and a sprinkling of the
‘Casey style’ have garnered much praise. Her modesty is an intricate part of
the success.
Casey, a lover of
poetry, might then also reread a poem by Craik from 1866 she offered in
Shyla's Initiative. It goes like this…..
Publisher's Update:
Barbara Casey's Web Site
© 2003 Elaine S August, All Rights Reserved |
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