Five Questions with…Lisa Landolt, author...

You submitted your questions for our Fiction Readers authors. Now find out what Lisa Landolt, author of Good Man Hunting has to say about inspiration, her writing process, and the characters in her story.

When you are reading for pleasure, do you look for an author whose style is similar to yours or someone who's different?
G. M. Lupo

Very interesting question. I think the answer is both. I do like books written in first person, present tense with a sense of satire and irony; however, I am drawn to a book first by the storyline and second by the writing style. I enjoy reading debut authors as well as established ones. My goal in selecting a book is usually to find one that makes me feel as if I have just had the wind knocked out of me. I haven't found one author to do that consistently, so I keep my options open.

Come on tell the truth...are some of your characters based on people you know?
Amanda C.,

Yes, absolutely. I draw from the people in my life and especially from those people who have affected me in a strong emotional way. If you make me really mad or do something that sticks in my mind, there is a good chance that you will see your personality or the dynamics between us show up in something I write. Don't worry, I won't use your name or identify you in any way without your permission. :-) My writing often contains metaphors that represent some type of strong emotionally-driven occurrence from interactions with different people.

In my latest book, GOOD MAN HUNTING, I included several characters who are based on real-life people. Sandra is a compilation of many of my law clients who feel basically "stuck" in their circumstances. The character of Joyce in my book was actually inspired by a good friend who is named Joyce, and her name is used with her permission. (Joyce doesn't kill people in real life, however.) Mike, the good-looking actor whom Sandra goes after is based on several real-life actors including Jared Leto and Johnny Depp. The evil character of Martha in my book is based on a woman I met several years ago (who shall remain nameless) who was extremely hateful and manipulative.

When I was in high school, I worked at a pizza place, and so the pizza place employees in my book are all loosely based on actual people who worked with me way back then. The manta rays mentioned in my book are also based on real, live manta rays who have the actual names used in the book (for more information on them, see the Manta Pacific Research Foundation). Similarly, the hair salon that does all the makeovers for the characters in the book is an actual hair salon I went to for over ten years called Daireds Salon and Spa Pangea. Daired gave me permission to use his salon in the book. I also use other real places in the book fictitiously that many readers may recognize in Dallas and other parts of Texas, Washington, D.C., Hawaii, and California. I think it makes a novel more interesting when some real-life landmarks are used and when characters are based on real people.

Do your stories dictate how the characters develop or do your characters determine how the book plots/reads?
Anita Dehghani

What a really good question, Anita! My characters dictate the directions of my writing. In GOOD MAN HUNTING, the main character, Sandra, took over the book. Everything is seen through her eyes, and she determines how the book progresses. The plots are determined ahead of time, but how exactly the plots unfold is determined by Sandra and other characters, such as the evil Martha. Special Agent McFarland of the FBI also directs several of the chapters. Sometimes when I wrote conversations between characters, a completely new plot twist seemed to develop as if right before my very eyes.

What motivates you to write on a certain subject?
Stefania H.

Usually I am motivated to write on a certain subject because it is something about which I feel strongly. Most often it's something that upsets me deeply or that I find extremely weird. I like writing about things where I can put a new spin on them or exaggerate circumstances to make a point. For example, In GOOD MAN HUNTING, I had fun with the extreme measures society takes when it comes to pursuing the opposite sex. I took this a step further and created the Hunt Club ladies to help average, invisible women get any man they want–no matter how rich or good-looking.

How is it working with editors, and to perhaps see your work through their eyes? Especially after writing and rewriting and becoming invested in your characters.
Ruthe M.

Turning your book over to editors can feel a little like you are dropping your baby off to go play on the highway. You have a fear in your stomach that something bad is going to happen, and there's nothing you can do about it. As it turned out, I was pleasantly surprised with the editing process. Thankfully, with HarperCollins, my editor seemed to really "get" my novel, the characters, and what I was trying to portray. The changes she recommended flowed right into my way of thinking, and I had no problems with any of it. Similarly, the copy editors who took on the line editing did not make drastic changes. I agreed with the recommendations and was pleased for the most part with everything they marked.

All great questions. Thank you!

Gives a new meaning to "shotgun wedding". Good Man Hunting is a featured book in Fiction Readers, a group to discuss contemporary women's fiction, books, women's issues and much more. Click here to join the group.