Dusty to Polished: Coe Booth
What sparks your urge to write, is it always the same?
That’s a good question. I always have a million ideas, and it takes me forever to settle down on the one I want to spend the next year (or, in my case, the next two years) working on. Yes, I’m a slow writer, so when I get an idea, it has to really excite me, make me want to dive in long-term. It has to have characters I want to know more about and a situation that will enable those characters to grow and change. And it has to be an idea that could lead to some surprises. When an idea has all of that, I feel the need to get started writing it.
Do you follow a specific process or set of steps when editing?
Absolutely not! I wish I had a process. With some of my books, editing is a series of complete overhauls. I have to take the book apart, try to remind myself what the original idea was, and then put things back together, often leaving out large chunks. It’s like I need to strip away everything that’s not the story I set out to write. With other books, editing is straightforward. The book is pretty much the way I want it structurally; I just need to tighten things up on the sentence level. When I’m at that point, I often read the book aloud. I especially need to hear the dialogue to know if the rhythm is working.
How do you know when a piece is truly “done” and ready for publication?
Actually, I never think anything is done. Ever! When I look at my already-published novels, I still wish I could make changes. The thing is, even though I don’t think a project is ever truly done, there comes a time when I need to let it go — usually on the deadline! That’s when it’s done enough. Over the years, I’ve realized when I keep reading and re-reading and tinkering and tweaking, all I’m doing is holding onto one project when I could be starting something new!
How would you describe your writing process with an image?
Hmmm, I’d say, my writing process resembles those masks that are the symbols of the ancient Greek theater, the tragedy and comedy masks. Writing is such an emotional rollercoaster for me. Sometimes I’m literally crying while I write because I’m putting my character through something so sad or challenging for them. And while I know they have to go through it, that doesn’t make it easy to write, especially since my books are about children and teens. Luckily, other times I find myself smiling or even laughing when one of my characters says or does something silly or hilarious. It’s that balance between the tragedy and the comedy that keeps me going.
What do you think makes the writing community at The New School unique?
As both a graduate of the MFA program and now a member of the faculty, I’ve always found The New School to be a special place. I started the MFA program at a time when I was doubting whether or not I had the talent and drive to actually have a writing career, and it was here I met a group of writers who have become lifelong friends that I’ve turned to for support and advice ever since. It was here I found my writing voice and learned how to finish the novels I began. Heck, I even met my editor here!
The New School is unique for so many reasons: its location right in the heart of New York City, the students who come from all over the world, the amazing faculty, the access to so many author events at The New School and around town, and the strength of the alumni program. Once you’re here, you always feel connected. Oh, I could go on and on — it’s a wonderful program, and I always say choosing to get my MFA at The New School was one of the best decisions I ever made!
Bio:
Coe Booth was born and raised in the Bronx, NY. She is the author of several award-winning novels for children and young adults, including Tyrell, Bronxwood, Kinda Like Brothers, and Caprice. Her novel Tyrell was chosen as one of Time magazine’s 100 Best YA Books of All Time. She is the winner of The Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and her books have been selected as ALA’s Best Books for Young Adults, The New York Times Editors’ Choice, and NPR’s Best Books. Coe’s short work has appeared in many anthologies, including This Is Push: New Stories from the Edge and Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America. Coe received an MFA in creative writing from The New School.
This interview series is produced by Hijab Ahmed