An Interview With Ian Benke
Remember that rejections will come in some form or another. Even if you’ve written a wonderful book with zero flaws, an agent still has to love it and feel that they are the best advocate for it. Similarly, editors will say nice things about your work in the same breath they say they’re not the right person for it. Remember, all these people will also spend months of their lives working on the book, pushing it to everyone they meet, and feeling the pressure to make the book sell well. And you want people who are willing to give you all that effort!
Science Fiction and Fantasy are hugely popular genres. What does it take for a writer today, to write compelling and successful Science Fiction and Fantasy stories? Authority Magazine started a new series called “How To Write Compelling Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories”. In this series we are talking to anyone who is a Science Fiction or Fantasy author, or an authority or expert on how to write compelling Science Fiction and Fantasy .
As a part of this series, I had the pleasure of interviewing Jodi Meadows.
Jodi Meadows wants to be a ferret when she grows up and she has no self-control when it comes to yarn, ink, or outer space. Still, she manages to write books. She is the author of the INCARNATE Trilogy, the ORPHAN QUEEN Duology, the FALLEN ISLES Trilogy (HarperCollins/Katherine Tegen), and the NIGHTRENDER duology (Holiday House). She is also a coauthor of New York Times bestsellers MY LADY JANE, MY PLAIN JANE, and other books in the Lady Janies series (HarperTeen). She lives in rural Virginia.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series! Before we dive into the main focus of our interview, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share a story about what first drew you to writing over other forms of storytelling?
Like many authors, I have always loved telling stories. And like many, I learned to love reading at an early age. But for a long time, I didn’t understand where books came from. They simply appeared on the library shelves, and the librarians handed more to me every day. It was a good system.
But in middle school, I finally caught on that people write books. As in, it is someone’s job to write stories all day. This seemed ideal to me. I wanted writing stories to be my job.
You are a successful author. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
1. Stubbornness. Everyone has a different timeline on how quickly they get published. For me, it was several years — and sixteen manuscripts that no one wanted to publish. It wasn’t until I wrote INCARNATE, the seventeenth manuscript that I had completed drafting and revising, that multiple agents offered representation, and then the trilogy sold at auction. Getting published was not a quick or easy process. There were times I wanted to give up. But stubbornness won out — and so did my passion for writing.
2. Passion. I love telling stories. I love exploring new worlds with characters, imagining their adventures and relationships. Passion for writing is one of the things that helps me when writing becomes a slog — because, let’s be honest, it can sometimes be frustrating or annoying. Writing as a job is still a job, after all! Once a book is under contract, working on it is different than before. There are expectations, suddenly. But when I start feeling like that, I try to remind myself why I do this — and what about this particular book I’m working on drew me to it. Rediscovering the passion for individual stories is key when the work becomes work.
3. Organization. For the last several years, I’ve been working on co-written books (hi, Lady Janies!) in addition to my solo projects. This means that some years I have multiple projects I’m focusing on — for example, last year I did multiple rounds of edits on NIGHTRENDER, drafted (part of) the sequel, edited and did production work (copyedits, pass pages) for MY CONTRARY MARY, and plotted, drafted, and revised on MY IMAGINARY MARY.
It was a lot of work, but all of it had to get done if I wanted to meet my deadlines and have books come out on time. So I organized. I set aside time to work on the Lady Janies projects. I set aside time to work on NIGHTRENDER. And I made sure to communicate with others what my schedule needed to be.
Can you tell us a bit about the interesting or exciting projects you are working on or wish to create? What are your goals for these projects?
Right now, I’m looking toward the release of my next fantasy novel, NIGHTRENDER, about three kingdoms locked in endless war, an ancient evil rising, and an immortal champion sworn to defend the people who betrayed her. It’s full of action, shifting allegiances, and magic.
As NIGHTRENDER is the start of a duology, I am also working on the second book!
Beyond that, it’s all secrets, but I am absolutely working on fun new projects in the background.
Wonderful. Let’s now shift to the main focus of our interview. Let’s begin with a basic definition so that all of us are on the same page. How do you define sci-fi or fantasy? How is it different from speculative fiction?
Fantasy tends to include fantastical elements, like magic and mythical creatures.
It seems that despite countless changes in media and communication technologies, novels and written fiction always survive, and as the rate of change increases with technology, written sci-fi becomes more popular. Why do you think that is?
People love books.
Not everyone, of course. I wish more people loved books! But there is something special about diving into a book, whether it’s printed or digital or audio. The ability to slow down or speed up, to go back and check a passage, to really live in the moment of an exciting fight or romantic kiss or heart-pounding spaceship chase — it’s thrilling to experience each emotion with the characters.
In your opinion, what are the benefits to reading sci-fi, and how do they compare to watching sci-fi on film and television?
Reading and watching are both story-absorbing experiences. Both are fun.
What authors and artists, dead or alive, inspired you to write?
Growing up, I loved reading Tamora Pierce, Robin McKinley, Garth Nix, and others. I already wanted to be a writer by the time I discovered them on bookstore shelves, but these were some of the authors who first showed me new worlds, magic systems, and larger-than-life characters. When I read their books, I wanted to be like them, to tell meaningful and entertaining stories.
If you could ask your favorite Science Fiction and Fantasy author a question, what would it be?
“Do you want to go get coffee?”
It’s a bit like using one of my three wishes to wish for more wishes, I know.
We’d like to learn more about your writing. How would you describe yourself as an author? Can you please share a specific passage that you think exemplifies your style?
I write all kinds of fantasy — from funny “historical” stand-alones (cowritten) to to action-filled series. One thing I love to focus on is worldbuilding, filled with magic, big backstory, and deadly threats.
NIGHTRENDER, my newest book, is set on a continent called Salvation, ruled by three kingdoms that are constantly warring with one another. Currently, they are in an uneasy pause — not actively fighting, but not remotely friendly. But word has come that one of the three kingdoms is on the verge of breaching the ancient Winterfast Accords, which forbids any kingdom from using a dark energy called malice against the others. It would be mutually assured destruction, if they did.
In response to this threat, the other two kingdoms have decided to ally themselves — by marrying their heirs and taking their united armies to crush the third kingdom. (There may or may not be plans for betrayal once that is done.)
But the war is not the only problem they face. In the center of Salvation, a great, magical dome traps demonic monsters called rancor. But this dome — the Malstop — is weakening. Strange anomalies are appearing everywhere, like time running oddly, or gravity flickering in and out. And soon, when the Malstop fails, the rancor will come spilling out and destroy everything.
Unless someone summons the Nightrender, the one being capable of defending Salvation. But four hundred years ago, when she was last summoned, something terrible happened, and no one seems willing to take the risk again.
Based on your own experience and success, what are the “Five Things You Need To Write Compelling Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories?” If you can, please share a story or example for each.
Certainly, having an active imagination helps. The ability to ask “what if” at every turn, the drive to look toward the unusual.
Keep your imagination limber, like a muscle. You can stretch it and strengthen it by reading widely — both in your genre and out of it. Learn the tropes and structures of different stories and layer them onto your own. A fantasy that features a murder mystery, for example, or a heist set in space. And while you’re out there stretching your imagination, watch movies and TV shows. Play games. You never know where inspiration will come from.
Also, take your time. Publishing can feel like a race — but it isn’t one. So take your time writing your book, then revising it, and making it the best novel that it can be. Once your book is under contract, you will have deadlines, and your time will shrink every day. (If I could tell my Past Self anything, it would be to appreciate the time more. And to use it wisely.)
Remember that rejections will come in some form or another. Even if you’ve written a wonderful book with zero flaws, an agent still has to love it and feel that they are the best advocate for it. Similarly, editors will say nice things about your work in the same breath they say they’re not the right person for it. Remember, all these people will also spend months of their lives working on the book, pushing it to everyone they meet, and feeling the pressure to make the book sell well. And you want people who are willing to give you all that effort!
And finally, focus on what you can control. We don’t always get a say in things like covers or marketing plans or print runs. But we can decide to keep ourselves focused on the most important part of the process: writing a great book.
We are very blessed that some of the biggest names in Entertainment, Business, VC funding, and Sports read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US, with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? He or she might just see this, especially if we both tag them. 🙂
Hmmm. There are a whole lot of cool people in the world, but maybe, since I think she would enjoy reading NIGHTRENDER, Sera Gamble, a very smart show runner and screen writer. I’ve got a copy of the book for her if she wants it!
How can our readers further follow your work online?
I have a website — www. jodimeadows.com — and I’m active on Instagram as @UnicornWarlord. I also send out the occasional newsletter.
Thank you for these excellent insights, and we greatly appreciate the time you spent. We wish you continued success.
About The Interviewer: Ian Benke is a multi-talented artist with a passion for written storytelling and static visual art — anything that can be printed on a page. Inspired by Mega Man, John Steinbeck, and commercials, I.B.’s science fiction writing and art explore the growing bond between technology and culture, imagining where it will lead and the people it will shape. He is the author of Future Fables and Strange Stories, the upcoming It’s Dangerous to Go Alone trilogy, and contributes to Pulp Kings. The CEO and Co-Founder of Stray Books, and an origami enthusiast, Ian is an advocate of independent, collaborative, and Canadian art. https://ibwordsandart.ca
Author Jodi Meadows On How To Write Compelling Science Fiction and Fantasy Stories was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.