I decided shortly after Simon & Schuster bought my novel that I’d plan a trip to meet Ken, my agent, and Nami, my new editor. Having never been to New York, I figured there was no better way to experience it for the first time than now—when I have a valid excuse to fly across the country to mix business with pleasure (though, it’s hard to tell the difference these days).
And so, I will be setting off next Saturday to spend Spring Break (yep—I still live by the schedule of a student, being a teacher and all) in the Big Apple.
I was thinking about what this trip really means to me as a writer. You always read about New York City and its often magical power over one’s actions, attitude, style, etc., but what is it going to mean to me—a Southern writer who mostly focuses on rural towns?
The first thing that keeps popping into my mind when I think about my trip is Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye. I’m not sure I’ve shared this with anyone, but The Catcher in the Rye, is what made me want to tell the kind of stories I write. Good God Bird is heavily influenced by Salinger’s story of a troubled young man who flees to the big city to figure out his life, the world, et al. There are several references to Catcher in my own novel, given that one character in particular seems to have a fascination with it. It may be stereotypical for a young writer to say: but I share this fascination. And, I think the fact that Salinger passed away just a few weeks ago has made the work more present in my mind. When I think about my trip, I think of Holden Caulfield standing in Central Park at the end of the novel and I realize that one of my characters, too, could one day come to mind when others have similar experiences.
I say this all to start a conversation of sorts. I’m always interested in the type of works that inspire others to write. I actually get inspiration from many sources, including other writers, movies, television, and even National Public Radio (as with Good God Bird).
So, what books, movies, people, animals, places, sounds, etc., inspire your writing?
I look forward to seeing what the city inspires in me…and sharing that with you all!
--Corey





