When you combine the writing talents of film maker and screenwriter Linda Andersson with radio/television personality and author Sara Marx, you’re bound to have a book that’s funny, sexy and exceptionally well written.
Such is the case with InSight of the Seer, a gripping and passionate novel based on Andersson’s hit lesbian paranormal crime series, InSight and The Seer.
InSight of the Seer takes the reader into the life of L.A. cop, Guin Marcus, and her private struggles in coming to terms with her clairvoyant abilities. After her life is forever changed by senseless tragedy, Guin must learn to overcome her fears and accept the truth about herself and her extraordinary gifts.
I recently interviewed the dynamic writing team and the ladies dished co-writing duties, who inspires them and all things Seer.
Congratulations on InSight of the Seer being published! How does it feel to be new co-authors?
Linda: Thank you! I feel great about it. Sara and I have been sharing the excitement whenever a new milestone is reached or when we get feedback from a reader. Very cool.
Sara: A very exciting time. Linda generally funnels the feedback to me because I'm wrapped up in another co-project that I'm not sure I can mention yet...
You both met when Linda cast Sara in the lead role of her film, Misconception. How has your friendship and creative partnership evolved since then?
Linda: Well, we made that film in 2007 and I moved away to Los Angeles, the same year, so most of our relationship since then has been over the phone and through emails. We haven't actually seen each other since except over Skype, but we're great friends and very compatible creative partners. I have never met anyone with whom I can "share a brain" with so easily.
Sara: I'm just glad someone finally acknowledges I have a brain.
How did the co-writing process work on InSight of the Seer with two different writers in two different states? How did you both share writing duties?
Linda: I had the storyline started and sort of knew where it was going because The Seer and InSight projects had already been produced and the characters and "world" already existed. So, writing the first book was basically just going forward with what we had both already seen ourselves through the performances of Deborah Stewart (Guin Marcus), Vincent De Paul (Det. Burnette), Amanda Majkrzak (Cheryl Jones) Heath Daniels (Terence) and the rest of our cast in both projects. I believe that helped fill in the 2,500 mile gap between us.
Sara: Linda and I did a lot of Skype-ing and I'm pretty sure we sustained both Verizon and Sprint throughout the recession. Basically Linda called me and said nobody's buying screenplays or TV pilots, and understandably she wanted The Seer to survive the recession. She thought a book would be the answer. She had some ingredients, which were the characters and their world, and she had a great kitchen, which is Los Angeles, the networking capital. So, I put on my chef hat and we got to baking. We both did important things. If you asked Linda, she'd probably claim the most important part of the recipe is the ingredients; I'd probably claim that it's all in the wrist. I can tell you that together, we made good cookies.
Linda: The writing duties were "as needed". Since I knew where I wanted the storyline to go, I took the lead with the outline, but otherwise, we went with whichever idea sounded best for each situation and choices of dialogue. It really was pretty magical, because the characters always seemed to speak to us both the same way as we wrote. It just worked.
Sara: She'd say here's the way I see things. In turn, I'd write my version of her vision. It was an interesting collaboration.
What was the creative process like for each of you? How did you negotiate plot and character development?
Linda: For me, I'm sort of like a TV writer, where I have the "show bible" in my head and I know exactly where this series is going, so I outline as much of the story as possible, but changes are allowed and welcomed if they make sense. Also, there is already a feature film script written, so the second book has to fit in chronologically between this first book and that storyline, although the plots can be whatever crime Guin has to solve by using her psychic abilities. The character development for Guin and the relationships she has with the other main characters in her life have a gradual arc and growth with each installment.
Sara: We're different kinds of writers--I'm book and she's screenplay. I think we learned a lot from each other throughout this process.
Did Guin’s character in this book develop in any way that surprised you as writers?
Linda: Because of the web series, I already knew where Guin's character would go for the most part, but Sara really helped bring out the humor a lot more. And it's become more of a dramedy now, which is good, because Guin can be a pretty dark character.
Sara: I have to tell you, Guin isn't mine. She existed in notes and in the webisphere, which was good for me because she's a dark character and those are always the tough ones to write. They get in your head and depress you...and make you lose sleep. That Guin belonged to Linda allowed me to play with her and send her back home. I didn't get down. I didn't have to take her to bed; Linda did.
Linda: Kinky.
Sara: Yeah. Anyway, I felt free to do some things with Guin that probably weren't in the initial vision. I think we ended up creating a better-rounded character with a humorous, gentler side that makes her a highly relatable character. At least that's what the readers are saying. God, I still can't believe we have readers...
Linda: It's great.
What has been the reader response to InSight of the Seer so far?
Linda: I am excited to report that it's been very, very positive.
Sara: Very nice. I'm happy that they're happy. I'm thrilled.
In 2012, the follow-up book to InSight of the Seer (titled The Seer: Connected) will be released. Where will The Seer: Connected take Seer fans? Any surprises for Guin?
Linda: The storyline also takes place in Los Angeles. Guin will have a few surprises, and I'll keep it to that so that we don't spoil it for our readers. But, I can say that she will be a much "lighter" character due to changes and growth.
Sara: I didn't know we were telling about Seer # 2! I've only told everyone I know... So, the complexity of Guin's character is pretty well established in book # 1. Now, the series will focus on delving more deeply into the aspects of crime solving. Plus, Guin's powers are evolving, the results of which are both funny and spooky. I'll say book # 2 is definitely much creepier.
Where does the inspiration for Guin’s literary life come from?
Linda: When I created the character over 6 years ago, I had an idea of what her deal was, but it wasn't until the fabulous Deborah Stewart portrayed her for the first time on--screen in The Seer, that I saw the potential. Now I see Deborah in my head when I write Guin, and I use her mannerisms and voice to work out the scenes. It's sort of a "What Would Deborah Do?" By the way, I did the same thing with our new character, Lt. Jace Sloan, who in my mind will have to be played by Rose Rollins. Just puttin' it out there.
Sara: I'm clear over here on the other coast, so I don't know Deborah as a muse the way Linda does. But I do know Guin by now. I actually made a soundtrack of music to write her to. It's eerie and mysterious and untrusting--the perfect score for the Guin I know.
What are some of the songs on your Guin soundtrack?
Sara: Sarah McLachlan– Black, Paramore – Decoded, Muse - Supermassive Black Hole, Foo Fighters – anything, Sheryl Crow - On the Outside, Uh Huh Her - Not a Love Song, Better Than Ezra - One More Murder, John Mayer - 3 x 5, Blue Foundation - Eyes on Fire. Throw in a little Melissa Etheridge and a dash of Spitbabies, and you've got yourself a fairly dark soundtrack to cozy up to...
What have you learned through the process of writing this first Seer novel?
Linda: I've learned that I could write this character and world for many, many years to come. I've also learned that with a badass writing partner like Sara, it's possible to knock out a first draft of a novel in two and one-half months and be extremely happy with it.
Sara: This second one's taking a little longer than the (first), but that's fine. There's more research necessary for this one.
Are there any individuals who inspired you and helped make InSight of the Seer possible?
Linda: Again, I have to credit Deborah Stewart and all of our past cast for making the visualization part easy for me. Teri and my friends who pretend to never be tired of hearing about my dreams and aspirations. And of course Sara, our fabulous publisher, Bella Books and editor, Katherine V. Forrest.
Sara: Karin Kallmaker was the first person we went to with The Seer project. I insisted upon it, but Linda was incredibly quick to agree because we're both familiar with Bella's reputation for sexy, fun women's fiction. It was a no-brainer; we just had to get the okay from them. It came quickly and we were--are--thrilled. There wasn't even a runner-up choice for a publishing house. It was a natural match. When we learned that Katherine V. Forrest was our assigned editor we called each other and freaked out. The only way we could have had a better day that week would have been if they'd announced that someone like Jorja Fox was going to voice over the book on CD. *laughs* I was going to say Ellen DeGeneres, but she's too funny--it'd be a whole different story by the time she was finished with it. Anyway, for us, getting Bella, Karin and Katherine was like hitting the lotto.
Linda: Sara is very easily sidetracked.
Sara: I am.
Linda: Don't you want to thank anyone?
Sara: She knows who she is. I thank her every day. Oh, but I want to thank you, Linda, for talking me into doing this.
Linda: No problem.
For other new or aspiring authors, what would your words of advice be?
Linda: Learn how to outline. If you're a screenwriter, write the feature first as your outline and then fatten it up. Write something everyday.
Sara: Definitely writing every single day is key.
Linda, you’re currently fundraising for the upcoming film, Rise of the Seer, which continues Guin Marcus’s story. Where can readers go to donate and help get this project funded?
Linda: Yes, we will be going full swing with our fundraising very soon, but are already taking donations and other offers. I am also looking for team members, who can promote within their social networks both online and in the flesh. Our website is www.watchtheseer.com While you're there, you can also find links to our Facebook and Twitter pages.
Any final thoughts?
Linda: I'm very happy that I decided to take the "transmedia" route for The Seer, much like the studios are doing. We have two web projects, a book, and an upcoming feature. I think it's a great way to introduce characters and worlds to different demographics within our demographic. For the folks who were there with us for the web series, they are now buying the book to find out what happens next in the ongoing storyline. One medium supports the other. Perhaps after the feature film, we'll have a Guin Marcus action figure.
Sara: I have two more books due out this year from Bella Books. Before I Died, a paranormal-environmental tale will hit shelves in July and Decoded, an FBI-thriller, in December. And if we're making action figure wish lists, I'd like Rachel Maddow.
Linda: What has that got to do with our books?
Sara: Umm...
Thank you, ladies.
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