What Are You Working On?
Writers on their works in progress

Stacey Levine

novelist

Stacey Levine (website) is a Seattle-based author. Her books include My Horse and Other Stories and Dra--, a novel, both published by Sun & Moon Press. Her novel Frances Johnson was recently published by Clear Cut Press. Her writing has appeared in the American Book Review, Bookforum, Fodor's travel guides, The Seattle Times, The Stranger, "and even scarier venues." She was a recipient of a 2005 Artist Trust/Washington State Arts Commission Fellowship. Formerly a creative writing instructor, she now works happily part-time at a medical center.

I'm beginning to work on a novel, and also for some time I've been working on completing a collection of short stories--short fictions that've been piling up forever, it seems.

As for the novel, I was led by that craving to assemble aspects of life and my studies and perceptions into words. I thought my idea for a novel might be substantial enough to become a book eventually; I thought it might be wide and open enough idea to hold lots of layers.

 
What is challenging for you about this project?

I'm trying to make a work of fiction that is earnestly put forth, without traces of irony or archness in its narration. That's a bit different for me.

 
What has been rewarding about working on the new novel?

The writing of lush realism has very soothing effect on me at this point. That's been a surprise.

 
After so beautifully evoking a dreamlike milieu in Frances Johnson, what made you want to deal with realism in this new book?

The need for realism is there because I'm envisioning a kind of spooky scenario having to do with breaking-and-entering and actions slightly criminal, that sort of thing.

 
When do you expect (or hope) to finish, and what's next for the project?

I'm quite sure I won't finish this novel for a few years. I really believe in taking one's time. That makes the book so much better, obviously--if it has a chance to mature, and to grow along with one's life. But I'm not working under contract either, which affords me this luxuriant pace.

Links

Reviews of Frances Johnson at San Francisco Bay Guardian, the Golden Handcuffs Review, and Too Beautiful.

Stacey as one of The Stranger's People to Watch.

Stacey Levine reviews Kenneth Goldsmith's The Weather in Bookforum.

See more What Are You Working On? interviews.

published 25 Jan 06, updated 23 Feb 06 on Too Beautiful. email copyright 2006 Mark Pritchard, Bernal Heights, San Francisco