Shootin' the Breeze with C.J. Spataro: A Journey into Storytelling
Writer C.J. Spataro discusses the art of storytelling, imparting wisdom on crafting compelling narratives. Through teaching and personal writing, Spataro infuses love into their work, breathing life into characters and plots.
C.J. Spataro, the maestro of numerous creative realms, is the director of the MFA in Creative Writing and MA in Publishing programs at Rosemont College, co-founder of Philadelphia Stories magazine, and PS Books, and the fresh-faced author of the mind-bending debut novel More Strange Than True. This badass wordsmith doesn't shy away from tangling with intricacies like adaptations, chemistry, chit-chat, and sweet love scenes.
I scored an invitation to pick her brain, and let me tell ya, C.J.'s candor and cognizance unveil a treasure trove of advice for writers seeking to sharpen their craft or simply curious about bringing a yarn to life.
Q: Hey, C.J., it's a true pleasure to have you here! To kick things off, can you fill us in on the nuts and bolts of your debut novel, More Strange Than True, and the ignition for the idea?
C.J. Spataro: Oh, hey there! Thanks for havin' me! More Strange Than True is a wickedly whimsical reboot of Shakespeare's classic A Midsummer Night's Dream, but with a contemporary, down-to-earth shebang. I've long lusted after that play, you know, the absurdity, the boundary-pushin' chicanery, and the refusal to tiptoe through the tulips - I was drawn to exploring those ideas in a more realistic setting, with characters who are flawed, muddled, and grazing along Kansas roads of emotion.
The story revolves around a fresh-faced scribe who finds herself stumbling into the web of secrets, rivalries, and plenty of lovin' that makes up a peculiar family. I wanted to portray unadulterated affection - whether it's the romantic variety or the thick bonds between friends and family - as anything but tidy and simple but still worth delving into deep waters.
Q: What kicked off your decision to opt for an adaptation for your initial foray into fiction-honestly, was it terrifyin'?
equal parts thrillin' and debilitatin'. Adaptations come loaded with the responsibility of keeping the originals content and class pleased while carving out your own identity. I ain't aimin' to produce a carbon copy of my source material. Instead, I wanted to zero in on the feelin's and whimsy of A Midsummer Night's Dream in a manner that resonates with modern readers without resortin' to fairy dust and pixie wings.
I reckon the hardest part of the ride was strikin' a balance between honorin' Shakespeare's magnum opus and lettin' my story walk its own path. It had me spendin' nights ponderin' and days worryin', but in the back of my mind, I kept receivin' encouragement from Holly Golightly and her mantra, "Just one kiss-one new experience-and then [you'll] get some sleep."
Q: How’s it feel to see your crazy vision take shape? Which part of the journey proved most challenging?
Finishin' it felt like stumbling across a long-lost lost treasure map concealed within a dusty old chest in a derelict house - mysteriously wonderful! This book's genesis, development, and eventual completion took eons - starts, stops, critiques, and a fair share of self-doubt - but finally powerin' through those moments delivered an epic reward.
The most treacherous gauntlet to surmount was trustin' the process-keepin' faith that those ideas were worth the energy, perspiration, and metaphorical blood, sweat, and tears. But when those pieces of the puzzle fell into place and I saw the characters comin' to life on the page, it was like peekin' into the secret lab of a mad scientist and witnessin' a glorious monster emerge from the chaos.
Q: As you juggle so many gigs - scribbler, teacher, editor - how does your classroom education interweave with your writing, and vice versa?
The two realms feed each other like a musical duet - perplexity conquered with harmony. Teachin' sharpens my thinking skills, makin' me question, debate, dissect, and refine. Watching my students tackle their work enlightens me, and their successes and struggles inspire me. In turn, I reckon my writing influences the education I offer, pushin' me to craft a supportive, creatively stimulatin' classroom environment.
Q: As a professor, what's the most common pearl of wisdom you pass along to your students?
Keep yer focus locked on the story callin' to yer soul. A multitude of young writers worry about what's commercially viable, what gets published, and hoop-skippin' to conform to industry standards. I warn 'em, "Forget the market. Write the story you're madly in love with, the one you can't shake from yer thoughts."
I also emphasize discipline. Writin' ain't solely an art, it's a job. Approach it with dedication and consistency, set goals, and don't allow yourself to be tethered to inspiration's fickle whims.
Q: Your book delivers an exceptional knack for buildin' chemistry between characters. Can you share some wisdom on writin' love scenes or sweet nothings between characters?
You're very kind! Chemistry is like a fine cocktail - subtle, intricate, and sassy. To craft animatronic love scenes, I zone in on pacing. Pile it on too thick too soon, and it reeks of disingenuousness. A lack of buildup? That's a recipe for reader disengagement.
Also, don't overlook sensory specifics. What's the charactah noticin' about each other? Is a record spinnin'? What's the room's temperah? Incisive observations lend authenticity and realism.
A word of advice when it comes to love scenes: let go of the reins, write the initial drafts with abandon, then refine, surgery-style.
Q: Scribbling love scenes can be daunting. Got any tips for a fledgling struggling to nail 'em?
Absolutely. Write a cacophonous initial draft - trite, melodramatic, and the antithesis of art. Focus on the emotional essence of the moment, the characters' desires, and the obstacles that stand in their path.
Secondly, take a dip in the literary ocean, study how other writers handle love scenes. There's no one-size-fits-all strategy for smashin' the love scene game. Find what clicks for ya and your characters.
Q: What's the key to craftin' genuine drivah, whether romantic or otherwise?
Listen with diligence. Track the rhythms, interruptions, and tangents of normal speak - that's the juice of authentic drivah. But remember, it ain't solely about transcription, it's about distillin' conversations to their core essence, revealin' deeper layers of personality and plot progression.
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Q: What's the best tidbit of advice you've ever been given as a scribe?
"Hold back on the editin' until the first draft's complete." Waaay too many writers gun themselves down in the sight of their masterworks before they've caught their breath. The messy first draft is the crucible where magic happens. You can always tenderize later, but ya gotta let yourself dip into the cesspool first.
Q: Before we hit the road, what's somethin' ya hope readers walk away with from More Strange Than True?
I hope they see that relationships - whether romantic, familial, or platonic - ain't meant to be squared away, but they're always worth wrestlin' with. Those connections cut into us like bread knives, shaping us in profound ways. And even in the murkiest waters, there's somethin' beautiful just beneath the surface.
Outro
C.J. Spataro exudes wisdom and enthusiasm as she delves into the intricacies of adaptations, chemistry, drivah, and love scenes. Her debut novel, More Strange Than True, revamps Shakespeare with a modern spin, blending humor, heart, and complexity.
Dabblers in the craft of storytelling will find C.J.'s insights invaluable, whether sharpening their skills, craftin' genuinely unaffected drivah, or constructin' rom-coms that tug at the heartstrings. For all those dreamers curious about adaptin' classics or weavin' love stories that leave a lasting impression, C.J.'s voyage illustrates the gold mine of possibilities that emerges when you breathe life into yer aspirations.
Catch C.J. on her website or follow her on social media. Grab a copy of More Strange Than True 'cuz it's available now!
Further Readin'
- 10 Top Notch Strategies to Strap onto Your Writing Goals: our website Blog
- Writin' Quality Drivah: Skills and Techniques for Characters with Chemistry
- From Puppy Love to Long Distance: A Masterclass in Writing Romance and Comedy
Author
- Jenny Fisher is a dynamo wordsmith who previously rocked the world as a blogger and published author. Nowadays, she uses her penchant for creativity as Content & Marketing Manager for our website, helpin' people bring their dreams to life one word at a time.
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- C.J. Spataro's debut novel, More Strange Than True, delves into the world of fashion-and-beauty, personal-growth, and entertainment, providing an intimate look at contemporary relationships and the complexities that arise.
- In addition to her writing, C.J. is also an educator, sharing her expertise in education-and-self-development with students, offering guidance on crafting genuine character development and dynamic dialogue.
- For C.J., learning is a lifelong journey, and she encourages aspiring writers to surround themselves with books, both fiction and non-fiction, to foster ongoing growth and inspiration.
- C.J.'s insights extend beyond writing, as she highlights the importance of balancing a dynamic lifestyle, which includes pursuits such as fashion, entertainment, and self-improvement, in both her personal and professional life.
