A Conversation with Shelby Van Pelt
A couple of weeks ago, I had the chance to attend a book signing with Montana author Kathy Dunnehoff, whose novel is titled The Do-Over, and Shelby Van Pelt, author of Remarkably Bright Creatures. At Montana Coffee Traders in the heart of downtown Kalispell, Montana, these two authors met with the community to have a conversation about writing. Dunnehoff interviewed Van Pelt, and here are some of the profound takeaways I noted related to writing and editing:
Van Pelt was not actually thinking of a novel in the beginning. Remarkably Bright Creatures, unknown by that name at the time, began as a creative writing prompt in a class she was taking. The task was to write from an unusual or unique perspective, so she began writing from the point of view of an octopus. Her professor stopped her after class to tell her how great it was. Van Pelt mentioned that this comment changed everything for her. She may not have kept going with this idea had her professor not said something to her. She urged us to share when we love something, because one sentence might give someone the courage to keep going and keep pursuing their dreams.
People often say there are two types of writers: plotters and pantsers. Plotters have everything planned and mapped out–or so they think. Pantsers just kind of “fly by the seat of their pants” and eventually things start to come together. The two authors also agreed that sometimes writers are a combination of both. Van Pelt mentioned that one of the best things about writing is the discovery along the way and how things just happen to connect in a way that wasn’t thought of originally. She said the happenstance of this experience is just like magic.
Van Pelt mentioned, “At the beginning, I was told many versions of, ‘This is the way to become a writer.’ What I found is, there’s not a way.” She went on to state that everyone’s path and process is different, and you just have to start.
She is writing new material, but she stated: “I’m finding that everything I’m writing has a Marcellus-shaped hole.” This sentiment was very touching and heartfelt—if you’ve read the book, you can’t help but let Marcellus capture your heart.
In regard to editing, she said her editor was detailed in how she kept track of what was mentioned in the story and the things that changed throughout the writing process. Remarkably Bright Creatures had over 300,000 words at one point in time and had to be cut down. Her editor said, “Every page should be moving something forward.” While it was hard for Van Pelt to cut things out, she appreciated the meticulous nature of her editor and how she pointed out where things were moved to and if things were repeated. As an author, it is hard to keep track of all of those when you’re in the depths of writing.
The amazing Kathy Dunnehoff is the mother of one of my dearest friends, and I am so thankful I was able to witness this conversation and signing. The books are linked below!
Just before her fortieth birthday, Mara Jane Mulligan, devoted wife and mother, runs out of bubble bath, and the ensuing panic attack drives her to Canada for more. She realizes that one foamy soak probably won't cure what ails her, so she takes a 30 day vacation from her life. (What woman doesn't need one of those?)
She changes her name from plain Janie to Mara, swaps mom jeans for vintage funk, discovers her inner party girl and outer cleavage, and hopes that by the end of the month, she'll be ready to return home and happily warehouse shop for jugs of ketchup again.
Surely her family will understand. Her son's visiting Grandma, and maybe her husband won't even miss her. Unfortunately, her husband doesn't miss much and tracks her to Abundance, a Vancouver bubble bath company.
She's pretty sure she can explain the strip club and the pack of wild grandmas, and also the lesbians at her slumber party, and possibly the all-over sunburn from the clothing optional beach, but the soapy encounters with the bubble bath mogul?... probably not.
As her 30 days sail by, Mara Jane Mulligan discovers she has a decision to make that even Dorothy couldn't avoid…
Will she click her heels for home or kick them up for good?
After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in Puget Sound over thirty years ago.
Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors—until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.
Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.
Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a gentle reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.
