BOOKFINDS

The Language of Trees by Ilie Ruby

The Language of Trees by Ilie Ruby

1.      Tell us the story behind the story. How did The Language of Trees come to be?

I wrote the book over a period of several years. I was inspired by the gorgeous landscape of Canandaigua, where my family spent childhood summers. The area is teeming with Native American folklore and ghost stories. It is also an extremely evocative place. Every rented cabin that we stayed in had a ghost story attached to it. In the cabin next to ours lived a woman with 13 cats, she was the secret keeper of the place and we were enthralled with her stories and folklore.

2.      What was the most challenging aspect of writing your debut novel?

I actually started with the character of Luke, a blithe spirit. I felt his character very strongly but knew that if I wrote the story from his perspective I would have to create a spirit world and maintain that for 350+ pages. I realized that I wasn’t so much interested in creating a spirit world but more a world that was spiritual.

I also found it hard to know when to stop creating new versions. One of the hard things about writing something over a long period of time is that your tastes change, and your wisdom about writing changes. Then you have to reconcile your own phases and styles.

3.      What is the message you want readers to take away from your book?

That although you may go through hard times, there are such things as second chances—you can fall in love after tragedy. You can start anew.

4.      Describe your background.

My mom was an artist. I grew up writing and painting every day. I actually thought everyone did these things every day. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized that this was not a way of life for most people.

5.      Describe your writing schedule. Do you outline? Any habits?

I don’t outline novels. I outline short stories. I am a night owl so writing late at night is the best for me. I usually write in long stints—10 to 12 hours per writing “session.”  I can’t do that anymore now that I have 3 little kids, so I am having to alter my writing schedule.

6. What books are on your nightstand? What are you currently reading?

I am reading a lot of humor writing at the moment: things that make me laugh—David Sedaris, old Woody Allen, Ayelet Waldman, among others. Also some books on “mommy-ing,” and adoption.

7. Which authors inspire you?

Alice Hoffman, Alice Seybold, Anita Shreve, and a bevy of poets: Jack Gilbert, Jorie Graham, Mary Oliver, etc.

As a child, my favorites were Judy Blume, Norma Fox Mazer, C.S. Lewis

8.      What have you learned from this experience?

To be cautious about where galleys are sent and make sure they end up in the right hands.

9.      What is your advice for aspiring writers?

Stick with it no matter how long it takes. Learn to respect your own individual timeline.  Respect your first drafts.

10.  What are you working on now?

I am actually going to outline a second novel and a children’s book, Eden’s Garden, about a girl who came from Ethiopia. I promised my daughter I’d write a book for her so this is it.