No one appears to be able to tell me what Jeremy Shipp’s novel, Vacation, is about. Either it’s because no one could figure it out, or because saying something would ruin the story. I’m betting it’s a little of both.
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1. An amazing amount of talent out there have all called you a unique voice, or something similar. Have you found developing such a stand out voice difficult?
I started writing novels at the age of 13, so my speaking voice and my narrative voice started changing at about the same time. My speaking voice soon settled into place, but the other has been transmogrifying ever since. Getting to the point of Vacation has taken over 10 novels, over 100 short stories, and a lot of experimentation and fun. I’m honored to know that there are people out there who appreciate the product of this evolution.
2. How do you think your style has affected the path you’ve taken to publishing success? Do you believe uniqueness has ever lead to a rejection?
I’d say that publishing success is a hard thing to come by for any writer. It takes skill, time, energy, patience, and numerous rejections to get the right stories to the right people (those people who are passionate about publishing the work.)
I’d also say that most of my stories are quite weird, in plot and voice, and it seems like editors/readers either really connect with the story or “don’t get it.” Maybe in another dimension where my style was more mainstream and sporks didn’t exist, I would get a few more acceptances to other publications, but I wouldn’t want to live there.
3. At what point, if any, did you think you’d "made it" as a writer?
In terms of “making it” on the publishing side, the sale to ChiZine was, and still is, a big thing to me. And, of course, the debut of Vacation. These were cause for many (literal and metaphorical) dances of joy.
4.What do you want people to get out of Vacation? Entertainment? Deep thoughts? A good laugh?
Hopefully all three of those, and at the same time.
5. How do you like to promote yourself?
I enjoy the classics: interviews, questing for reviews and blurbs, and the occasional voodoo ritual. I also like to try stranger tactics, such as being interviewed by the Devil and posting the transcript as a blog on Myspace. I’ve also written a rather silly fake infomercial for Vacation.
6. How would you like to promote yourself, if money was not a factor?
I’d like to produce a rather silly real infomercial for Vacation. A music video might also be cool. Though to be completely honest, I’d probably spend all the money on ceramic leprechauns (I have a problem.)
7. How much does feasibility factor into your stories? How far are you willing to push the suspension of disbelief?
I strive for realism in the emotional reactions and realities of my characters. And I attempt to write about behaviors that make sense within the systems that the characters exist. But beyond that, I don’t mind pushing the envelope--off the desk, and onto the floor where all the tiny polka dot goblins roam.
8. What would be too weird for you?
Probably something involving a clown, a bathtub, and a whole lot of jelly. Though now that I think about it, I’ll probably include it in my next book.
9. How do you want us to remember you?
As a human being who was often afraid of speaking his mind and his heart, but did so anyway.
10. What are you going to do next?
I’m in short story mode at the moment, but I also see many more novels in my future. (Hopefully I’ll finish the 5 or so that I’m in the middle of.) And possibly a children’s book.
I also see the purchasing of many ceramic leprechauns and a packet of sporks.