The Mysterious Q&A with Lisa Tuttle
M.M. Hall: You’ve also been an entertainment journalist. Have you ever considered screenwriting–adapting one of your novels into that format?
Lisa Tuttle: I’m not attracted to screen-writing as a form, but I have considered it. In collaboration with a young British director I did write a treatment for The Pillow Friend (which is significantly different in several ways from the book)—the producer she first showed it to declared it “the best-written treatment” he’d ever seen! However, this was more than two years ago, and there’s still no sign of anyone coming up with the money to actually make the film.
More recently, I had an idea which I thought might make a good film—for some reason, the idea came to me as a film rather than a book or a story—and so I read a couple of books about screen-play writing, and then sat down to write a treatment. In the course of which I discovered that although I had an idea I had only about half of a plot… so I put it aside to think about… and have been too busy with other things to get back to it. Maybe some day, but other projects are more pressing. If I could get someone to commission me on the basis of an idea or a treatment, I’d certainly turn my hand to screen-writing. As for writing them on spec, or trying to re-create books I’ve already written as screenplays… unless I had a very strong incentive to do so, I’d much rather get on with writing new books.
M.M. Hall: Of your novels, do you have a favorite? The Pillow Friend and Lost Futures are tied for first place, as far as I’m concerned. The Pillow Friend was almost autobiographical in a bizarre way. Was that intentional?
Lisa Tuttle: The Pillow Friend is still my favourite. Yes, a lot of my life is in there (of course the autobiographical element was deliberate! how could it be otherwise?) but so much of it is completely made up that it would be unwise to assume anything in it was taken directly from my own experience. (My own fantasies, maybe!) The geographical curve of the novel—from Texas to London to Scotland—recreates that of my own life, and some of the places are absolutely real, but everyone in the book, including the main character, is totally fictional.
M.M. Hall: You’ve been a journalist/non-fiction author, editor, fiction author, mother, wife, feminist and God/Goddess knows what else. What defines you? Who are you, Lisa (and do you have a middle name?) Tuttle?
Lisa Tuttle: Uh, you left out “relief assistant librarian” (that’s my current job title). When did I get elected God/Goddess? I wish they’d tell you these things! (oops, I just realized I mis-read that last question—you were calling upon the Deity, not adding to my job description!) My middle name is Gracia (named after my father’s mother and his older sister). What defines me? What a question! I’m speechless.
M.M. Hall: No sidestepping allowed. Take a breath and be creative. Call upon your talent and describe yourself.
Lisa Tuttle: No, really, Melissa, what do you want, a psychological profile, or a spiritual autobiography? People generally “define” themselves in context, e.g. “Hi, I’m Emily’s mother” or in terms of how they make their living, or whatever, and this kind of “definition” is acknowledged to be a short-hand used for a specific purpose, as a jumping-off point for getting to know each other. Like the list of biographical and bibliographical facts at the beginning of this interview. Won’t that do? For more insight into who I am, people should read the books.
M.M. Hall: Very true. But I guess I was searching for a spontaneous glimpse into the essence of Lisa? What you’re saying, I think–is that the essence of Lisa can be found your work?
Lisa Tuttle: Well, as an alternative to spending years getting to know me personally, yes! Writing may be just one side of me, but it is very important. It certainly expresses things which wouldn’t otherwise see the light of day. Although—kind of like being able to tap into someone else’s dreams—it’s not something I’d want to force on anyone.
M.M. Hall: What’s next?
Lisa Tuttle: I’m working on a novel called The Mysteries. Actually, I am hoping to have it finished and sent off to my agent before the end of October. After that, there’s a children’s fantasy (working title: The Fith-Fath Island) and lots and lots of other ideas; I need to decide which to write first. Also, there’s the ever-pressing problem of money, so I may have to scout around for some sort of commissioned work, depending on how long it takes to sell The Mysteries (assuming that it sells at all).
