Spring Break
Scottish-born visiting author discusses writing process
Livesey came to Valley Library Friday as final installment of Visiting Writers Series
Craig Bidiman
Issue date: 5/18/09 Section: News
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The Scottish-born novelist has written six novels since 1986, as well as released a collection of short stories.
Making her first trip to Corvallis this past week, Livesey reflected on how she came to be a writer.
"I took a very zig-zaggy path to writing," she said. "When I was growing up there were a number of professions I aspired to."
"It took me a long time to realize that I didn't want to be the person between the covers of a book, but the person behind the covers of the book."
Livesey explains that when she came to America she was able to examine her life in England and Scotland with a whole new perspective.
"The experience has been quite helpful to me," she said. "Although it does mean I have to do more research to make sure I am up to date on what is happening in various ways."
She also noted how her experiences in America and Europe have influenced the setting of most of her novels, which generally find themselves in Edinburgh or London.
"I think setting is very integral to a story. There are so many possibilities, and life has a different quality wherever you go. And I don't think that you can just have an idea for a story without knowing where you are going to set it."
Tim Vrvilo, a junior in English and education, attended Livesey's reading and felt the night was a great learning opportunity.
"It's great to see how professionals do this," Vrvilo said. "We are able to ask questions and discuss different techniques and styles to adapt to our own work."
Livesey read a selection from her newest novel, which she explained was the most complicated novel she has ever written because it has four main characters. Also, each of those characters has their own narrative that help to piece together to tell a larger story.
"I think it is about how someone can be very close to a person in one way and still miss out on essential things that are going on with them in a very distressing way," she said.
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