Did You Know I’m A Huge Jodi Picoult Fan?

I’m in a full-on WOW zone today.

The past few days have been a whirlwind.

Wednesday saw the removal of my wrist cast, which in itself was enough cause for celebration, but when I returned home from hospital, I found a message from the wonderful people at the Official Jodi Picoult UK Fanpage informing me I’d won tickets to Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer’s evening at the Times building, London.

I’m a HUGE Jodi Picoult fan. This is not a secret. Her books inspired me to write issue-driven novels. Mine have strong elements of romance, with the happy ever after or hopeful ending, but they are issue-driven.

I was not going to turn down this superb opportunity to attend a Jodi Picoult evening, but the event was the next day.

Cue major excitement and blind panic.

Cue Gajitman, the hero of the hour, insisting I should go and he would take care of everything on the home front.

Trains, although a little tricky trying to book one all the way home that didn’t take seven hours, were sorted, the schedule for the next day was set, and I went to bed keen to get some sleep ready for my big adventure.

The day was hectic, with train cancellations, bus transfers, and the journey taking almost twice as long as anticipated, but everything – all of it – was worth it. I met some wonderful people – a lovely lady who was travelling the same journey as me – we chatted all the way to Waterloo, fellow Jodi Picoult fans (Hi Helen), who were as thrilled and excited as me to be at The Times event, and Jodi Picoult, her charming daughter, Samantha van Leer, and a handsome Prince Oliver, who were funny, delightful and engaging.

I met Jodi Picoult three years ago on her Lone Wolf tour when I ended up on the stage howling like a wolf, as detailed in the blog I wrote at the time, here.

Yesterday, it was the mother and daughter team promoting their second co-written book, Off The Page, a follow-up to Between The Lines, with assistance from Prince Oliver, a character fresh out of the pages of the books.

After the introduction, readings were given, the first by Samantha, the second by Prince Oliver, then the audience was invited to participate in a Q&A session.

A question was asked about research, and that’s something about which I used to speculate when I was a brand spanking new writer. I remember thinking specifically about Jodi Picoult books, packed as they are with hard-hitting and sensitive issues, and wondering how a writer gained access to experts.

Jodi explained she writes about issues that keep her awake at night, then finds the experts in that field and emails them requesting their assistance, explaining she is writing a book. She arranges to meet for an interview, which she records, and/or requests to shadow them to get a feel for their role. Their help is acknowledged in the published books.

Seven years on from starting my first novel, I’ve  found that people are very generous with their time and knowledge and are happy to help a writer in need, for which I will always be grateful, and I offer thanks and if they allow, an acknowledgement in the book, too. My family and friends were my first port of call. There’s a vast amount of skill and experience within both groups, but if they’re not able to help, the chances are they’ll know someone who can. I’ve yet to approach an expert without a friendly letter or Facebook message of introduction from a mutual acquaintance, but should that time come, I know it’s okay to do so.

People were interested to learn about the writing process when co-authoring a book. Jodi and Samantha explained they literally sat side-by-side when writing the books and were often ‘on the same page’, but that didn’t stop heated debate or discussion on the occasions they were approaching the story from different angles. It was then Jodi realised her daughter was indeed a writer, that her ideas were great, and valid, and had every right to be considered. (I’ve paraphrased here, but this was my understanding.)

Samantha was thirteen when she had the idea for Between The Lines, and the book was written over the course of two to three summers, with the writers working eight hours per day. I think I’m right in saying the second book was written in a similar way.

I posed the final question of the evening, asking if when writing her adult books Jodi ever ran plot problems past Samantha, and Jodi cited an occasion where a dark scene had caused her problems. Samantha took it on and it was resolved. This made me smile as it’s something I do with my daughter, who has an instinct for asking the questions that will lead me to a revelation or realisation.

What I enjoyed most about last night was the mother/daughter dynamic on the stage – completely natural, with a dose of gentle ribbing, perfect synchronicity and flow of conversation, and an obvious love for one another.

Wonderful.

Thank you so much to The Times, the Official Jodi Picoult UK Fanpage, and to Prince Oliver, Samantha van Leer, and Jodi Picoult for a warm, friendly and thoroughly entertaining and inspiring evening.

I’ve returned home ready to write.

Laura x