Jami Attenberg's newest book is a creative writer's guide
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Jami Attenberg's new book, "1000 Words," is due out Jan. 9. Photo: Bryan Tarnowski
The social media platform formerly known as Twitter is rarely known as a source of joy these days (or, maybe, ever). But five years ago, novelist Jami Attenberg used her reach there as a force for good, challenging writers to punch out 1,000 words a day for two weeks.
Why it matters: That challenge turned into an annual endeavor, #1000WordsOfSummer, with the New Orleans-based novelist offering guidance and encouragement to those who set out to accomplish the feat.
- And now, Attenberg has turned it all into "1000 Words: A Writer's Guide to Staying Creative, Focused, and Productive All Year Round," which is out Jan. 9.
Zoom out: The challenge is still going strong, with about 30,000 writers taking it on last summer.
- That kind of growth means Attenberg regularly gets sent copies of books that writers work on or start during the event, she says.
- "I'll be standing at the airport, flip to the back, and I'll be thanked in it, and I don't know the person," she says. "What's really great is when people are able to stick with the process long enough … and see it through to publication."
We caught up with Attenberg ahead of the book's release.
On her role in the challenge: "All I'm doing is saying,'You can do it,' and they're doing all the work. But it's nice to even be a small part of that process."
Who says that for you? "People in my life who are great readers and friends. Claire Cameron and Kristen Arnett, my first readers.
- "I can send them things, and they'll read it and say, 'It's great. Keep going.'"
What's the story of the cover art? "I was tweeting, 'I think I need a logo for this thing,' and we'd never even met in person, and [Jacques François] said, 'Give me an hour,' and he made one for me.
- "He has a very generous spirit and is such a creative visionary. He's someone who wants to be making things in the same way I want to be making things, where it feels really good to be making things, so it makes sense that his electric work is a part of this"
On how the book was made in New Orleans: "This is my first wholly-in-New-Orleans creation. My agent lives here, Katherine Fausset, … and Jacques, I met since I've lived here.
- I really feel like the lessons I've learned about community living in New Orleans have really inspired me, and this is such a community-oriented book."
Her po-boy order: "I love Frady's. That's my local, and I like their catfish."
Her favorite celebration restaurant: "I've been liking MaMou lately. Whenever I've gone with out of town guests, it feels really special there."
What she's reading now: "'Monsters' by Claire Dederer, which is so fascinating.
- "She basically looks at all these famous male auteurs that have done controversial or bad things, like Woody Allen. … She's tussling with [the question of] 'Can you still like the art of an artist who's a bad person?'"
What's next: Attenberg will celebrate the book launch at Baldwin & Co. on Jan. 9. She'll be joined by François and novelist Maurice Carlos Ruffin.
- She'll also host a "write along" with Katy Simpson Smith at Blue Cypress Books on Jan. 25.