By Esty Loveing-Downes and Jacob Shapiro
Mystery writer Elizabeth Sims knows a whole lot about a bunch of stuff.
After all, she’s a former newspaper reporter. And photographer. Also, a ranch hand, corporate executive, certified lifeguard, bookseller, symphonic percussionist, and member of American Mensa.
An award-winning author of books stretching from one end of the literary spectrum to the other, Elizabeth Sims’s expertise on the subject of writing runs the gamut of fiction, craft, publishing, and education. Along with the publication of her Rita Farmer Mysteries, the award-winning Lillian Byrd Crime Series, and her nonfiction work, You’ve Got a Book in You: A Stress-Free Guide to Writing the Book of Your Dreams, Sims somehow has found time to become the most published contributing editor at Writer’s Digest magazine. Whether launching her own imprint, Spruce Park Press, or teaching seminars on craft, Elizabeth Sims does it all when it comes to writing. A former professor of mystery, horror, and short story, Sims has a knack for appreciating and analyzing the written word.
Recently, she agreed to an interview with Shift, where we discussed her take on all things literary. “Zooming” in to meet with us from her home office in Michigan, she graciously commented on a wide range of literary topics, offering wisdom and insight into her life, work, and theories on writing.
Presenting a conversation with Elizabeth Sims…
On writing during a pandemic
“Twenty twenty was a big deal for me. I wish I could have been on lockdown when everyone else was instead of trying to deal with a home sale and a home purchase, because I’m part-introvert. I moved with my wife from Florida back to Michigan, which is our home state, during the pandemic. There was a slowdown in freelance work and an opportunity for ramping up of my own work. And so, everything is now going on in my new little office in my new little house.”
On working from home
“I do a mix. Variety seems to be good for me. I have my own little space; I can shut the door and do my own thing. I listen to classical music on an old school radio. I really enjoy the cafe, and I miss that. It’s not attractive enough for me to risk Covid-19 sitting there with a mask on. ‘People in Hell want ice water, but complain when they get it,’ to quote Patsy Cline. When I have my radio on in my office, it’s my attempt to duplicate Starbucks.”
On self-discipline
“It’s easier for me to procrastinate [at home] than when I’m sitting at the cafe. I can’t look at email; I can’t shop for something on Amazon. So, I do tend to get my work slammed down more efficiently if I’m at a cafe out someplace. And then, of course, you get to have your coffee. It’s that part I kind of miss. I have to be more self-disciplined at home.”
On writing queer characters as an LGBTQ author
“It probably would have been easier for me to have written straight-oriented material. I know if I hadn’t written queer subject matter, it would have been way easier to land a mainstream publisher right away. It definitely was harder to break in and try to figure out what to do being an outsider, but I’m glad I did write what I wrote first, which was the Lillian series, and that I used my real name and just decided not to try to game it in any way or in any way disguise myself. I feel good about that decision.”
On apprehending story
“I taught Short Story Writing and Writing Mysteries and Thrillers at Ringling College of Art and Design in Sarasota, Florida. … I had [students] read too many. [Now] I would have them read fewer and spend more class time analyzing them: ‘What is the author trying to say here? What am I supposed to interpret from this?’”
On theme
“I certainly like ‘the quest for truth’—honesty at whatever cost. Many times there is a cost. Readers read to learn things. They want to learn how to live their life, how to live better. We put ourselves in the position of those characters: ‘What would I do if that happened to me? What choice would I make? If I was in that situation, would I run away or stand and fight?’ Some of the greatest literature has to do with moral questions, whether it’s Shakespeare’s tragedies or a perennial straightforward classic like To Kill a Mockingbird. Aesop’s Fables do a similar thing. The Old Testament and New Testament Bible stories, old Judeo-Christian principles—and the Qur’an has a story in it as well.”
On work as contributing editor for Writer’s Digest
“I have a bit of a dual career. I found I have a bit of a talent for helping authors get better/more efficient/closer to where they want to be. That’s been nice. It’s certainly a symbiotic thing. I learn about how to write by writing my fiction. I’ll be writing a novel or something, and I’ll be like, ‘Oh yeah.’ And I’ll solve a little puzzle or something will trigger the idea for an article. I’ve written 53 articles for Writers’ Digest all this time. I think I’m their most prolific contributor, which is cool.”
On holding reader attention
“Pure, plain honesty really can be funny. Which is kind of sad actually, because people are expecting someone to be trying to act a certain way, or put out a certain persona. But, when you totally give up on any cogent persona and just let it all hang out? It can be funny.”
On developing authentic voice
“How I developed my own voice: I stopped trying to be like anybody else. I stopped trying to write like I thought a good author should write. I let out all the stops and would use vernacular, use my opinions. Actually, lots of opinions in your fiction can help characterize your voice. Helping other authors find their voice is really hard. Take the work seriously and do a good job. The writers that I’ve worked with who had the best voices were probably fairly well read, didn’t take themselves too seriously, and they felt relaxed and loose—more so than other writers—as they’re writing. You have to give yourself permission to throw down crap in order to get to the good stuff, and sometimes the crap is better than you think it is.”
On modern writing
“I’m an analog girl in a digital world. I love these old tools. And I love old style and old things, but of course one must adapt to changing times. A couple years ago, I wrote a piece about using throwback writing technology. I wrote about using a quill pen, pencils, ballpoint pen, a very old 1926 typewriter—things like that. That was a fun piece, and it got so much response. I guess you have to be entertaining, but the personal was very interesting to people.”
On the little things
Tea or coffee?
I drink both every day. Coffee for medicinal, tea for comfort.
Summer or winter?
These days I’m picking winter, because I’m a Michigander now.
Sleeping in or waking up early?
Early on weekdays, sleeping in on weekends.
Mac or PC?
PC. Android.
Kindle or paper?
Paper. I don’t even have a Kindle anymore—gotta have paper.
Fallon or Kimmel?
Who’s the one who’s in that famous SNL skit? Debbie Downer at Disney. Was that Fallon? I’ll go with him. I can watch that and laugh my ass off every single time.
Short stories or poetry?
Short stories.
Target or Walmart?
Target. If you knew the Target and Walmart where I lived in Bradenton for 10 years, you would absolutely be with me on that one.
Podcast or audiobooks?
I don’t really listen to either, but I like podcasts because they’re happening now—and a lot of them feel like a voyeur.