“You can always edit a bad page. You can’t edit a blank page.”
~~Jodi Picoult
Hi all,

I *finally* feel like I'm getting some traction with my current story so was hesitant to disrupt the writing to work on this newsletter.  Thus, I was going to do a quick, updated website tutorial since the last time I did that was JABB 468.  But then I saw the interview with Kim there and realized I never answered those questions myself.  At least not all at once like that so... in hopes that writing about writing will keep me in the creative mood while I finish this... here goes!

God bless,
Jenni
An Interview with a Dyeland Writer, Part II

1.  What made you decide to start writing Dyeland-related stories?

I actually just got this question from a JABB member so... I have my answer ready.  :-)  Basically, it started as a joke.  I never meant for Dyeland stories to become anything more than the sheer goofiness you see early on.  But then as the years went on and TBAA didn't get to some subjects I wanted covered (most famously the Andrew-on-trial plot but also topics like eating disorders, bullying, etc.), the ideas started churning.  Eventually, I started writing more serious Dyeland stories.  And then when TBAA actually ended, I wanted something to fill the gap.  Writing Dyeland fic did that. 

Also, as I've stated before, the family drama is probably my favorite genre.  So by writing Dyeland fic as opposed to strictly TBAA fic, I was able to keep the TBAA characters I loved but have them as part of an unconventional family.  It's a lot more fulfilling for me than writing a story about characters who are never heard from again.

2.  What's the most difficult part of stepping into a fictional "universe" that's already been evolving for several years?

I guess I can't really answer that one since I evolved with the Dyeland universe.  But I can totally sympathize with Kim and others who have added to the Dyeland canon.  It's massive and I can't imagine playing catch up!

3.  Do you have a favorite among the characters you've created?

Of the characters I've completely created, I'm gonna say Violeta.  While JenniAnn is sort of based off me (but also a lot NOT based off of me), I feel like Violeta is the character I most wish I was like.  She's held onto a naivete and innocence that I feel like I've, unfortunately, lost.  Plus, she's just adorable.  If I had a kid, I'd want her to be like Violeta.  She'd make me laugh and make me want to tuck her away into a safe place where no one could hurt her.

Of the adapted characters... obviously it's got to be Joshua.  While it's sometimes incredibly scary to be putting words into Jesus' mouth, writing for Joshua is the most rewarding aspect of Dyeland for me right now.  It feels more like a conversation.  I look at the Jesus of the Bible, Jesus as I've experienced Him in my life, and try to render that into written word.  It's also nice to think that when I'm thinking "Joshua...  Joshua, what would you say here?" Someone is actually hearing that. 

4.  Of the characters you did NOT create, which is the easiest for you to write for?

Probably Andrew.  And not just because he's my favorite TBAA character.  It's not even that I think his voice comes easily for me.  It's more like I have an ax to grind when it comes to him.  In a different way than with Joshua, writing for Andrew also feels like a conversation.  But, with him, it's a conversation with different TBAA episodes and, I suppose, their writers.  For example, it bothers me to no end when I watch "The Journalist" or "The Violin Lesson" and Monica and Tess treat Andrew rather shabbily.  So I can vent that frustration into writing Andrew.  It's like my fuel!  In the later stories, when Andrew really starts to open up, it's like I get to release 7.5 seasons of what I wish he would have said. 

5.  And the most difficult?

Hmm...  I'm going to answer this a couple of different ways. 

First, it's difficult for me to write any character whose creator could reasonably be assumed to be reading the story.  So that would mean Kemara, Sean, Eilish, Samuel, and others.  Because I know they know their creations way better than I ever can so I don't feel like I'll do them justice.  It gets especially tricky with the "big issues" stories.  I would hate to unwittingly have someone's character voice an opinion about an important issue which their author has strong feelings about that I have no hope of capturing.  It can sometimes be a bit paralyzing, not because of anything the other writers have said.  It's just my own anxiety.

Beyond that, Maryam can sometimes be difficult for me and I don't really know why.  I mean writing about anyone in the Bible is daunting.  But it's easier for me to write Joshua than it is for me to write his Ama.  I think maybe it's because the Gospels give us a bigger range of Jesus' moods and reactions.  We read about His grief over Lazarus' death, His anger in the Temple, His agony in the Garden of Gethsemane.  Mary just always seems so calm.  So even though I know Maryam would be extremely hurt and angry about some things, it's hard for me to imagine her actually acting really angry.  So I tend to always write her in a very calm, collected way.  I'm not sure that's very realistic.

6.  You've also written TBAA fanfic. What's the biggest difference, for you, in writing straight TBAA fic versus Dyeland fic?

I've written precious little TBAA fic.  I think only one or two stories.  I feel more free when it comes to writing Dyeland stories because, as Kim pointed out in her interview, the Dyeland angels and the TBAA angels aren't exactly the same.  So I don't have to angst out about whether Andrew, Monica, or Tess seem totally in character.  Because they're not the exact same characters as those we watched on TBAA.  In the Dyeland stories, they're supposed to be the angels who inspired the show and so they've had many of the same experiences but not all.  The rules aren't even the same.  For one, TBAA was very set on angels not having relationships with humans.  In Dyeland, there's the whole anam cara thing.  TBAA also seemed to be of the mindset that the angels were, in a way, subservient to humans.  They came down from Heaven to help us and only on rare occasion was their care for us reciprocated.  The Dyeland stories have a lot more reciprocity and God loves both the human and angelic characters equally. 

7. What is your favorite Dyeland story that you've written?

Ugh.  This is almost as bad as having to choose between my dogs...  But I'll go with "The Carpenter."  It was just a really great writing experience for me.  It's also book-length which is crazy to me.  Mostly, I just liked getting to know Joshua better.  And it introduced so many characters who are recurring now.

8.  Do you have a particular writing ritual?  Like a certain drink you sip on, a treat you indulge in, music you listen to, etc.?

It's called "Leo is napping.  Hurry and write!"  I do like to listen to some inspirational music beforehand and sip tea while writing.  But that doesn't always work out...  I have to sneak writing time in while I can.  Both my dogs but especially Leo can be demanding of my time and, of course, I have a full-time job.  So it really is just carving out time when I'm not working, not entertaining dogs, and, rarest of all, not exhausted.

9.  What words of advice would you give to someone who wants to try creative writing?

Just do it.  Write in notebooks that no one will ever see until you get some confidence.  If you're worried about spelling or grammar, find someone who enjoys proofing.  Don't let that stop you.  Both will get better the more writing you do.  And if you do find yourself headed towards some sprawling galaxy of characters... start an Encyclopedia.  It's annoying and awful to update but you'll need it.  Trust me, no matter how good your memory seems right now, it's not gonna stay that way.

10.  And what advice do you have for writing Dyeland fic in particular?

As it happens, I put my advice and some others' on a handy-dandy web page: http://www.dyeland.onthisside.net/writingguidelines.html

Beyond that, just talk to me.  I can be reached at the address you're receiving this newsletter from or replace "newsletter" with "jenni" and you can reach me there, too.  I'm happy to answer questions, offer suggestions, etc. 

11.  Anything else you'd like to share?

If you do read any of the stories and have questions or comments, please reach out to me.  I'd be happy to answer and, who knows, you may have even noticed a continuity issue that I need to address.  As I said, my memory's not what it used to be!  Leo's three and a half now so I need to stop blaming "puppy brain" and just accept that I have too much rolling around in my head to keep everything straight.  ;-)

If you've written a Dyeland story... or more... and want to complete this interview, please let me know.  And if you're a reader and want to be the first taker on an "Interview with a Dyeland Reader"... that'd be cool!


This newsletter is dedicated to John Dye for inspiring so many stories that a freaking Encyclopedia became necessary.  I hate that thing...  I love that thing...

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