Jayne Pupek: On Becoming a Novelist
Jayne Pupek’s first novel, Tomato Girl (Algonquin Books, 2008) just released yesterday—and has the most delicious cover to go with its delcicious title! Her book of poetry, Forms of Intercession, was published by Mayapple Press in January. We should all have such a great year! – Meg
Everyone’s heard the story of the karaoke singer who gets discovered in a bar. How I became a novelist sounds a little like that story. At least 
on the surface.
After a career in mental health, I found myself at home full-time with my children. I had more time on my hands than ever before, particularly once my trio started school. While I turned much of my attention to my menagerie of animal companions, I also absorbed myself in my lifelong love of books and writing. I enrolled in a writing workshop and online groups for poets. I had no real thoughts to publish, although I gradually began to send out a few poems. Some were accepted. Most were not. I kept at it and improved. Some days I even thought of myself as a poet.
Fiction was another matter. Like many booklovers, I toyed with the idea of writing a novel. I never moved very far beyond the idea stage. Other than “flash fiction” pieces that resembled prose poems, I wrote very few short stories. So how did I end up with a published novel? It started quite simply.
The Internet Writing Workshop offered critique groups, or “lists,” in several categories. I signed up for the Poetry List, and on a whim, for the Novels List, too. Here, each participant wrote a novel by submitting chapters for critique by other members and by offering critiques in return.
I almost withdrew before I started. These people seemed to know what they were doing and had been at it awhile. I was almost ashamed to admit that I didn’t have even a first chapter to submit. I turned to what I did write—poetry—and found a narrative poem titled, “Tomato Girl,” written a year or so earlier. I thought there was more to the story than the poem told. The more I thought about it, the more certain I was about the voice that belonged to Ellie, the eleven year old girl who would narrate the story.
Months later, when my manuscript was finished, folks encouraged me to submit it for publication. I rarely buy lottery tickets because I don’t expect to win, but I decided to give this a shot. I queried an agent, who asked to read the manuscript. He was very enthused and interested, but suggested a few revisions. By then, I was busy working on new poems. I put the manuscript in a drawer and left it there for more than a year.
Friends ask me how anyone could have interest from an agent, and then toss their manuscript into a drawer? The answer is simple: I didn’t see myself as a writer. I grew up in the rural South amid people who were mostly farmers and blue collar workers. Practical and solid, these were not folks who spent a lot of time reading books or contemplating art. Writers weren’t real people; they were names on book covers. Other than John Boy on the television series, “The Waltons,” I never heard anyone say that they wanted to become a writer. In my hometown, such an announcement would have sounded as outlandish as saying that you wanted to become an etymologist, a stripper, or an astronaut.
I would come across my abandoned manuscript now and then, when rummaging through drawers for paper clips or a misplaced item. I decided I needed to either do something with it or toss it. Eventually, I dug the manuscript up and made revisions, again seeking feedback and suggestions from others.
When I felt that the manuscript was as good as I could make it, I composed a list of agents and began the query process. To my complete amazement, I found an agent quickly. She seemed smart, outgoing, and knowledgeable about publishing. More importantly, she loved books, and she loved my book. She knew just the right editor to show the manuscript to, and within weeks, I had a contract with Algonquin Books. I haven’t stopped pinching myself yet. I really do feel like that karaoke singer.
There is more to the story, of course. Missing are the hundreds of books I read before writing the first sentence of my novel. Also missing are the countless notebooks I filled with poems and vignettes. And all the diaries and journals I kept. Missing are the letters I wrote to pen pals and friends; the articles I wrote for my high school newspaper. Although I never gave any thought to becoming a writer, I was writing poetry by age six, and read constantly. My summer reading didn’t involve a handful of books, but grocery bags full of them. If my first crush was on David Cassidy, my next one was surely on Emily Dickinson. While I studied psychology in college and graduate school, I filled my schedule with electives from the English Department. The same year that I won an award from the Psychology Department for Outstanding Junior (I still think I won this for spending more hours in the Rat Lab than anyone else), I won an award from the English Department for a poem I’d written. At work, I always had a book and a notebook, just in case I had time during lunch or if the prison where I counseled inmates went on lockdown. I wrote in the car and read in the bathroom. Even now, I rarely leave home without a book.
From the age of six, I was seldom found without an animal nearby and either my nose in a book or a pen in hand. I’m forty-six now and the same is true. Being a writer is about so much more than publishing books or being recognized by others; it’s about how one spends the hours that make up a life. – Jayne Pupek
Posted in Author Stories
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August 28th, 2008 at 3:31 am
What a great story. I bought Tomato Girl (and The Wednesday Sisters) today and look forward to reading both of them.
September 5th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
[...] celebrate the release of Joshua Henkin’s Matrimony in paperback and Jayne Pupek’s Tomato Girl, I’m doing a drawing for free autographed copies of each – one lucky reader will win both! [...]
September 5th, 2008 at 4:43 pm
I have heard SO much great stuff about this book on LibraryThing, I’m really dying to read it!
September 5th, 2008 at 5:43 pm
I’d love to win this book!
September 5th, 2008 at 6:49 pm
ive been reAding a lot about this book lately and I want to read it sooo bad! It sounds really great : )
September 5th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
Thanks for this great post which is memorable. The book looks unique and so appealing.
September 5th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
I agree, that is a good cover! And an amazing story.
September 6th, 2008 at 12:19 am
This looks like a really good book. Its on a list to get and read.
September 6th, 2008 at 1:52 am
I’ve been wanting the other one, but have not heard about Tomato Girl, looks good though.
I’ll post a link on my blog later and let you know when I do.
Thanks for the opportunity and suggestion of this book!
September 6th, 2008 at 2:53 am
I think this post will encourage budding writers. I love to write, and am passionate about reading, but my writing has always been just for me. I can relate to what she said about tossing her manuscript in a drawer and forgetting about it. I have snippets of stories stashed away, but I’m not too worried about winning the writing lottery. I’m happy just to be writing for myself at this point.
September 6th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
Ohhh, this look really really good. I love learning about new authors, thanks for posting this!
September 6th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Interesting that despite all that work she didn’t think of herself as a writer. I’d like to read this book, please enter me. Thank you.
September 6th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I’ve heard great things about this book!
September 7th, 2008 at 2:46 pm
I would love to read Tomato Girl.
September 7th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
I simply love this line in your post “Being a writer is about so much more than publishing books or being recognized by others; it’s about how one spends the hours that make up a life.”
A great message for us all to go away with.
Thank you for sharing and I’m adding this book to my “to reads” list on Goodreads.
September 7th, 2008 at 11:57 pm
Please throw my name in the drawing – this book sounds so interesting to me.
September 8th, 2008 at 1:46 am
I like her last comment about being a writer is so much more that books, it is about how we spends the hours that make up a life. The cover of Jayne’s book is lovely! I am interested in the ll year old that narrates the book. Please enter me in your drawing. Many thanks, Cindi
September 8th, 2008 at 2:09 am
Hi! I would love to win this book! Please enter me. Thanks!
http://www.bookhangover.blogspot.com
September 8th, 2008 at 3:26 am
I’d love to read – and win! – this book – please enter my name. Thanks!
September 8th, 2008 at 3:30 am
PS – cross post on my blog here: http://teelgee7.blogspot.com/2008/09/generosity.html
September 8th, 2008 at 2:12 pm
I’d love to read this book! The cover itself is intriguing.
September 8th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
My mom would love to read this. It’s not normally the type of book I’d read but hey.
September 9th, 2008 at 12:13 am
Would love to win this, please enter me & thanks:)
September 9th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
I would truly love to read this book. The cover just drew me in when I saw it. I love finding new authors to read! I don’t have a website…sorry! But I will recommend this book to my bookish friends.
September 9th, 2008 at 5:14 pm
I thoroughly enjoyed “On Becoming a Novelist.” It’s encouraging to read of your self-doubt, especially after you’d found an agent! And your thoughts on what being a Writer meant. In my case, I always considered a Writer as someone with a looong list of publishing credits, going back to kindergarten. Later-in-life wannabes need not apply. Silly, I know, but useful in feeding my fear of success, which it sounds like you experienced, also. The paragraph that begins, “There is more to the story…” could have been written by me because you hit on so many of the things I’ve done. How marvelous that you overcame your self-sabotage, and persisted! Congratulations on the publication of your novel AND your book of poetry, and the best of luck in your writing career, now that you’re officially A Writer!
September 9th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I’ve heard great things about Tomato Girl and I am really looking forward to reading it!
September 11th, 2008 at 2:46 am
I’d love to be entered for the book. It sounds great. Thanks!
September 11th, 2008 at 7:17 pm
I’d probably have thrown my manuscript in a drawer, too. I’ve never believed that I could write. I agree that your story will be inspirational to other budding writers, and I can’t wait to read your book, whether I win it here or purchase it myself. =)
September 12th, 2008 at 6:23 am
Your website offers encouragement to aspiring writers like myself. God knows we could use it from time to time. Thanks much, D. Allen Wright, Spokane, WA
September 12th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Jayne:
I really appreciate your thoughts “On Becoming a Novelist” and your openness. Self-doubt is something that most people experience at some point in their life; however, not all will admit it. I myself am afflicted with self-doubt/lack of confidence and hope to overcome it. Your story has been quite encouraging.
Your book sounds interesting and the cover is quite nice.
Best of luck in all future endeavors. Look forwrad to more books in the future.
Cathy
September 12th, 2008 at 5:33 pm
D. Allen, I’m so glad you find it encouraging. I do to! So many writers are being so generous in telling their stories. It’s funny that stories of how challenging it can be to get published are inspiring, but I’ve always found them to be. For me before I started publishing, it gave me the freedom to believe if I just kept working at it, I might get there. And I’ve heard so many similar stories from other writers who did keep working in the face of a lot of rejection and DID get there, that I have come to completely embrace the old addage that getting published requires one part talent and nine parts determination.
September 12th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
Congrats on finally going through with the publishing. If you can write it and a publisher will publish it, that says to me you’re a writer!
I look forward to reading your book.
RebekahC
littleminx at cox dot net
September 13th, 2008 at 12:39 am
I didn’t follow directions and posted this on Meg’s giveaway post, instead of on the author’s post! =) So here is my official response – I would love to read your book and posted about this giveaway on my blog: http://mrstreme.livejournal.com/58547.html.
Thanks!
Jill =)
http://mrstreme.livejournal.com