An Interview with Jenny Siler (3/3) By Steve Rudd

(1/3), (2/3), (3/3).

When you first started out writing, did you manage to get your first book published with ease, or did you really have to persevere in your quest to get into print? The first book was deceptively easy. Actually, this book was the most difficult so far to find a home for. What are the main advantages and disadvantages of being a published novelist, and does the knowledge that you are a best-selling writer ever go to your head? You're kidding about that last part, right? Seriously, I have absolutely no idea what it feels like to be a successful novelist. It must be nice, though. You know, no matter how many books I publish, I think I will always feel like a failure on some level. I absolutely HATE having to tell people what I do for a living.

Has anybody ever approached you with a view to perhaps adapting one of your stories for the big screen? Sure. Several of my books have been optioned, but nothing has ever come of it. My agent has a saying: books get made, movies don't. It's absolutely true. Hollywood works in mysterious ways. The prospect of having a movie made from my work is something I try not to think about. If it happens, it will be like winning the lottery or getting hit by a meteor.

For many years you lived in Missoula, Montana, a place that featured in your superb 'Iced' thriller. However, you recently made the decision to move to Maine. Was it a difficult decision to make, and what was it that you adored so much about Missoula? I grew up in Missoula, so it's the place I feel most at home. I love the landscape in Montana, the emptiness of it and the overwhelming scale. I find bleakness to be utterly beautiful. I was actually dragged kicking and screaming from Montana 4 years ago when my husband decided to go back to school.

We moved to Virginia, which I found to be one of the more horrible places on earth. Being in the south was like living in a strange and inhospitable foreign country. Fortunately, we've moved north again. To Maine, this time. I'm very happy here. The winters are bleak, the landscape harsh, the ocean vast and overwhelming. If they could just get rid of all these trees, I'd be in heaven. Are you currently working on anything right now? I've got a sort of sequel to An Accidental American that comes out in March. It's called The Prince of Bagram Prison. Right now I'm taking a break from fiction for a while and working on a non-fiction project about a famous art thief. It's quite interesting. Finally, what's the best piece of advice you've ever been given as a writer? Show, don't tell. For more information about Jenny and her books, please visit www.jennysiler.com

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