Heather’s Bookshelf: Author Interview with JD Grubb
Book Title: There Was Music
Released: 09/04/20
Genre: Literary Fiction with a touch of Fantasy
Interview by Heather L. Barksdale
What inspired you to write “There Was Music”?
Grubb: Inspiration began with music, which is another passion. Ideas took form while I was playing classical guitar outside one morning in Colorado Springs, Colorado—the idea of trying to convey the power of music through prose—and then I had a vivid dream not long after that lead me to consider integrating the theme of the cost of survival. From there, the soul of the narrative took form as I met various individuals who have overcome traumatic circumstances, wrestling through and fighting for healing and the reclamation of their identity while rediscovering a sense of hope for the future. Their stories both humble and inspire me.
Is there anything that you want readers to know about you, your writing process, or your book?
Grubb: I mainly want readers to experience my novel through their own framework of the world, to consider what the narrative stirs within their imaginations and why. I do not want myself, the author, getting in the way of that kind of discovery, but would love to be part of the subsequent conversation.
As to my writing process, I do not have a particularly rigid one. With There was Music, especially, I explored a looser, more stream-of-conscious approach, though I did still briefly map out my heroine’s journey from start to finish (beginning with the end, actually). For an in-depth look at the history of and process for writing There was Music, check out https://jdgrubb.com/the-origin-of-there-was-music/.
How did you come up with the names of your main characters?
Grubb: There are a myriad of influences and approaches, but with title characters there is always thought about the layers of meaning; though I usually aim to keep them subtle. For example, while Rhoda is a more common name, I gravitated toward its etymological roots associated with “evergreen”, which suggests resilience through the seasons. A different approach would be with Ketash Masanor, which is derived from a superficial reading of the Japanese word Katashi (“firm, hard”) and Masanori (“model of justice”). Or finally, Nabilak’s name is an indirect allusion to Shakespeare’s The Tempest, specifically the character of Caliban (Nabilak is essentially “Caliban” spelled backwards).
When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to break yourself out of it?
Grubb: Thankfully, this almost never happens if I dedicate consistent time to writing. But in general, going out and living life, learning wherever and whenever I can, engaging with real people and events, fills me with more inspiration than I could contain in any one narrative.
Are there any tips that you would like to share with other aspiring authors?
Grubb: Persistent and diverse reading and writing are essential to nourish one’s arsenal of creative thought, language, and narrative perspective. Studying the craft of writing and literary criticism can also be immensely valuable, opening one’s mind to new possibilities. For those interested in publishing, I suggest taking the time to truly research and keep researching the publishing industry to understand what is available. The industry is ever changing, which can be both exciting and exhausting.
If "There Was Music" were adapted into a movie, who would you like to see cast to play your lead characters?
Grubb: Oh man, there are so many great people to choose from . . . Meryl Streep is simply the most talented, versatile actress alive. She could bring even a smaller role to life in a big way. The title role in There was Music would need a younger actress with incredible emotional range—for example, someone like Brie Larson. There is a part for Sir Patrick Stewart in there for sure—we need more of him in cinematic works outside the Star Trek universe—as well as names like Liam Nieson, Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Jennifer Connelly, Brian Cranston, Viola Davis . . . In a way, though, not having too many A-list actors might be better or less distracting, giving a chance to more rising talent.
What is your favorite book, genre, and/or author?
Grubb: I classify my novels as “Literary Fantasy”. To me, the appeal of Fantasy is the freedom to imagine topography framed by but not constrained to real world facets. Meanwhile, the tone and central conflict of my narratives fit more within the sphere of Literary Fiction where writing style and characters are as important as the subject matter. I generally lean toward the latter for my own reading, unfortunately struggling to find Fantasy novels that really keep me engaged.
In terms of breadth of works, some of my favorite novelists are J.R.R. Tolkien, Chaim Potok, Fyodor Dostoevksy, Yann Martel, and Khaled Hosseini. Some novels I re-read are The Lord of the Ring, My Name is Asher Lev, The Idiot, Life of Pi, and The Kite Runner. Some powerful stories by other authors have been Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, Bharati Mukherjee’s Jasmine, J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man, F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird, Richard Adams’ Watership Down, Angela Carter’s Nights at the Circus, Thomas Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd, Charlte Brontë’s Jane Eyre, and C.S. Lewis’ Perelandra. But there are so many great titles yet to read and discover. I always welcome recommendations.
What are you working on next?
Grubb: There was Music introduces the world of Illirium and points to a larger narrative, so I am excited to show readers more of that. I have two manuscripts waiting to be edited. But first, through a unique series of events, I am currently focusing on another companion piece. Also set in Illirium, a little after the time of There was Music, the story explores the unique perspectives of three unlikely companions—a Sky Rider, a seer, and a spirit—brought together in an unexpected and unusual quest.
Learn More About the Author and There Was Music Here:
Website: jdgrubb.com
Facebook @JDGrubb and Instagram @JD_Grubb
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