Author Interview: Elizabeth Staple
Debut author Elizabeth Staple (she/her) has arrived in the Rambling Realm. During her stay, she kindly agreed to chat with me about herself, her debut novel The Snap, and the secrets of her writing process.
About Elizabeth Staple
Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
I live in Connecticut with my husband, two daughters, and stepson. One is in college, one is in preschool, and one is in between, so we are a very active, busy household. In my day job, I’m a lawyer.
What inspired you to start writing?
I honestly don’t remember “starting” to write—it’s just something I’ve always done. I used to play bookstore in my bedroom growing up, using the end of a TV remote to scan the barcodes and one of those huge, 90s-style calculators to print the receipts.
About The Snap
What can you tell us about your The Snap?
The Snap is about Poppy Benjamin, who heads media relations for a fictional NFL team called the Syracuse Bobcats. The Bobcats’ legendary head coach has just been found dead, and shortly afterwards Poppy receives an anonymous note alluding to a misdeed in her past and demanding that it be made public within five days. When Poppy reaches out to her support group of other high-ranking women in sports, they discover they each received the same note. As the clock ticks down, Poppy is forced to consider the choices and compromises she’s made for her career, and the ripple effect that may have had. The story is told in two timelines, with the earlier set fifteen years prior, when Poppy first started with the team as an intern.
What was the inspiration for your novel?
My first career, in the aughts, was in media relations. I worked—mostly as a full-time seasonal intern—for my college Athletic Communications department, the New York Giants, the New England Patriots, Madison Square Garden, and the Frankfurt Galaxy, among others. I really loved those jobs. I met so many great people and had wonderful experiences. But there are certainly things looking back that I question or wish I had handled differently. The idea of writing the same woman on two timelines came from that reflection.
If you were a character in your book, who would you be and why?
Poppy certainly takes a lot from my personal experiences, but I intentionally distinguished her personality and family background from mine. I think I’m more similar to Annika, Poppy’s friend and general counsel for an NBA team. Annika is trying to balance a demanding career with being a good mom, and often feels like she’s falling short on both.
If The Snap was turned into a movie, who would play the main characters and why?
My dream Poppy would be Melanie Lynskey, but she’s basically my dream everything.
Are there any fun behind-the-scenes moments or any hidden easter eggs in your novel that you’d like to share?
The Bobcats’ primary team color is red, and the head coach’s name is Red Guillory. That’s meant to show how indelible he was to the organization. But Poppy’s name is also a shade of red, because she’s devoted as much of her life to the team as he has.
Can you share a favorite quote or excerpt from The Snap?
About Writing
What was the most challenging part of writing The Snap?
Finding the time!
How would you describe your writing process?
I write the scenes I know first and then stretch forward and backward from there. It’s not the most efficient, but in the beginning I need to reach certain word count benchmarks to feel like my word document is becoming a book, and that helps me get there.
Do you have any strange or fun writing habits or rituals?
I wake up at 5:00 seven days a week and have until my children wake up, ideally around 6:45. I don’t always use that time to write—I’m certainly guilty of distraction, usually in the form of reading someone else’s book—but it’s a routine that I keep pretty faithfully.
What's your favorite writing snack or beverage?
Coffee.
If you could choose any place—real or fictional—to write your next novel where would it be and why?
I love the idea of writing from a cabin in the woods. That’s the most peaceful setting to me. Give me a blizzard, give me a thunderstorm and I can knock out a record number of words.
Staple’s Advice
What do you think is the most important thing for debut authors to know?
It’s helpful to have writer friends but incredibly unhelpful to compare yourself to them. If at all possible, try to focus on the feelings, fears, and anxieties you have in common rather than the nuts and bolts of their publishing experience vs. yours.
Are there any resources or tools that were particularly helpful to you during your writing journey?
In the querying stage I loved Querytracker. It’s such a helpful tool, and a way to feel like you’re seeing some kind of movement during those periods of silence. I’ve recently started using character worksheets, and although I do think you can go too far with those and end up avoiding the actual writing, it’s helpful to take some time thinking through the nooks and crannies of your characters.
What is the strangest thing you had to research for your book?
The way different types of artificial turf experience wear and tear, the pros and cons of each surface, the impact of weather, etc.
What does Elizabeth read?
What genres do you enjoy reading the most?
I really try to push myself to try lots of different genres, but I’m a huge sucker for mysteries and really compelling nonfiction.
Who are some of your favorite authors, and how have they influenced your writing?
No one writes a disturbed character like Patricia Highsmith. Those inner monologues present the character’s absolute confidence and certainty in what they’re saying, while clueing the reader in that sometime is seriously off here. It’s so impressive. I also love the way Mick Herron writes dialogue. There aren’t many tags so you have to pay attention but it just zips by and never feels clunky or forced.
What's the last book you read that you couldn't put down?
This wasn’t that recent but whenever someone asks for an unputdownable book, I say The Tiger, by John Vaillant. It’s non-fiction about a Siberian tiger that appears to be stalking humans, but also an incredible ode to a bygone era when tigers were a significant presence in the region. They’re endangered now, and you’ll mourn the loss of them even while realizing how terrifying they are.
Staple’s Plans for the Future
Where can readers find your book and connect with you?
This page links to all of the various sites, so it’s a good place to start:
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/736824/the-snap-by-elizabeth-staple/
But of course, I’d encourage anyone to check out their local indie bookseller.
Instagram: Elizabethstaplebooks
Twitter: Redheadstape
Is there anything you would like to say to your readers?
Ten million thank you’s!
