Author of the "The Fig Eater"

March 23, 2000

Author, Jody Shields discusses her hit novel, "The Fig Eater" and candidly describes her life as a professional writer.

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TWBookmark: Welcome to TimeWarnerBookmark! Warner Books and The Talk City Network are proud to present our special guest for tonight, Jody Shields author of "The Fig Eater." Following stints at Vogue, the New York Times, and House & Garden, Jody has taken a gamble and written her first novel. Welcome to Talk City, Jody! Thank you! What kinds of books did you read when you were growing up? What interests did you have?

Jody Shields: I read through all of the "Wizard of Oz" books by Frank Baum. Oh, and "Freddy the Pig." I loved fantasy. I had always painted since I was a child. My degrees are all in art, specifically printmaking and sculpture.

Colin: What was the first story you wrote - do you remember?

Jody Shields: One of the first ones I wrote was for Seventeen Magazine when I was 13. It was my first published piece. It was about touring Europe as a teenager. It was about some real life adventures that I had.

Dionys: Did you read C.S. Lewis' "Narnia" series? If so, what did you take away from that?

Jody Shields: I have to confess I never read it. My one hole in my childhood. I'll remedy it, though, on your recommendation!

Charlie: Who do you like to read?

Jody Shields: I mostly read non-fiction. I'm working on my next book which is set during World War I so I'm mostly reading first hand accounts of the war in Europe, from doctors, nurses, orderlies and soldiers. I'm also doing research in medical history.

Leticia: When did you first decide you wanted to write?

Jody Shields: I had written since I was a teenager, but probably 6 years before I wrote my first novel. This is my first novel. It's inspired by one of Freud's case histories. They call it a literary thriller/murder mystery. I altered the case history and had Freud's patient murdered. People tell me it gives them wild dreams when they read it at night.

Sally: This is your first novel. What other fiction-writing background do you have?

Jody Shields: None! This is my first novel and two screenplays. They were both not produced, until the novel was published. Now, Hollywood thinks my screen plays are more interesting. My book has been sold to Mirimax, but I'm not writing the script. It's being produced by the company who did "The Cider House Rules.”

Dee Dee: Do you have a routine for your writing? A favorite place, time of day? And do you listen to music? If so, what kind?

Jody Shields: No, I need total silence. I usually start working at 8 a.m. Although I start early, I do work all day. I manage to procrastinate for at least 2 hours a day. The best procrastination trick is to alphabetize my spices. Everyone has something that they do and that's mine!

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