Interview: Suzanne Clores

By Walt McElligott 

Suzanne Clores, a lecturer at Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, authored Memoirs of a Spiritual Outsider (Conari October 2000) and has published numerous articles and essays. Currently she lives with her husband and daughter in Chicago and teaches in the MA/MFA program in creative writing at NU. Suzanne holds an MFA in fiction from the University of Arizona, provides consulting services, and teaches classes at the Chicago's Writer's WorkSpace. 

Interview 

Walt McElligott: Perhaps you can begin by discussing your 2000 book, Memoirs of a Spiritual Outsider (ISBN# 0645241001722), which I believe is available from Amazon.com. 

Suzanne Clores: My memoir gives voice to all the lapsed Catholics who find themselves hungering for God and yet cannot find a satisfying meal no matter what. Eight years ago, I published Memoirs about the events that followed my spiritual crisis at age 25. Almost desperately, I went on a wild spiritual journey based on bits of overheard conversation about "meditation" and "witchcraft" and unexplored curiosity about yoga, voudou and shamanism. 

This exploration nearly took over my life for five years. I was like a junkie, who led a double life--by day I led a fairly ordinary 20-something life as a temp, an office manager, a radio production assistant, an editorial assistant, a live-in girlfriend, a Brooklynite, and a brunette. 

By night, I hunted for God (I was still a brunette). I read as much as I could, especially academic texts about the misunderstood and esoteric practices of Wicca and Voudou. I sought out teachers and spiritual centers and ceremonies with the tenacity that acquaintances would apply to their dating life. In short, I became a professional spiritual gypsy. Unabashedly. This was an interesting time in my life--and for the most part the urge to seek has passed. I rarely shared these activities with those close to me, and as a result, the journey I took, and the journeys others shared with me, carry an incredible power as they appear in print. 

Walt: Please discuss your other successful publications. 

Suzanne: I am the author/editor of The Wisdom of the Saints, ISBN--9780806523910, 192 pp, published in paperback by Kensington Publishing Corporation in August 2002. This book is part of the publisher's Philosophical Library, and is available through Amazon.com and Barnes&Noble.com. 

The book title is rather self-explanatory, but the story behind it is interesting.  I was approached by an editor just after 9/11 to compose a book of inspirational quotes by Saints. They had intended it to focus on Christian Saints but as I began to study I saw so much wisdom particularly about nonviolence spoken beautifully by the sages from Eastern traditions. Eastern traditions like Hinduism and Buddhism present insight in such a unique and relevant way, it  seemed right to make it a truly diverse book representing Spiritual Wisdom from around the world. 

Walt: Please describe your current writing projects. 

Suzanne: I have two upcoming projects. The first is a surprisingly tenacious novel, called The Greatest of Ease, about an unusual friendship between a twenty-something hipster and an aging alcoholic. 

And, in a complete departure from serious literary efforts, I'm writing a children's drama for one of the cartoon channels. The children's program is surprising fun, and even soulful. 

Walt: Your website shows the diversity of your experience in the "Arts", and includes an audio link from Chicago Public Radio entitled "Dealing with Unexpected Loss." Would you further explain this event for our readers? 

Suzanne: I had recently lost a friend, and another person I was looking forward to meeting. Both deaths were sudden. On this CPR show, I talked about how the timing of death has nothing to do with our schedules, our agendas or our intentions. Death is on its own track. 

Walt: What was your earliest experience at becoming published? 

Suzanne: For the Junior Library of American Indians, I basically harassed an editor (who was a former minister) to let me write Native American Women, (ISBN-13: 9780791024799 ISBN: 0791024792) in August 1995. This was published for a reading level of ages 9-12 by Chelsea House Publications. 

In my history of Native American women I sought to highlight for young readers how Native American women were traditionally respected and valued members of their tribe who played important roles in tribal religions and governments. The book relates how vital Native American women were in passing on traditions, stories, and knowledge to younger generations. 

Walt: As a successful author and teacher of writing, do you have one particular suggestion for writers who are seeking to write a book worthy of publication. 

Suzanne: For Fiction, I would say breathe as much life into your characters as you can possibly afford. For Memoir and Fiction both I would say, just tell the story. 

Walt: Do you have a favorite "secret place" in Chicago, where you might go when seeking inspiration for writing? 

Suzanne: I like the quaint, quieter city streets, but I also find inspiration in the odd industrial sections that seem underdeveloped or unplanned. I'm not a natural city person, I'm much more responsive to nature. But I find if I treat the details I find under the El tracks or behind alleys with as much interest and observation, the Muse will rise anyway. 

Walt: Suzanne, will you please outline your how your consulting and coaching services are available to others. 

Suzanne: My "Consulting and Coaching Services" are geared towards the specific needs of fiction writers, memoirists, creative nonfiction writers and bloggers. These phone, e-mail, and in-person sessions assist writers in drafting, editing, and revising their projects. A complimentary initial consultation helps us set realistic goals based on the project type and external deadlines. Interested parties can see samples of my work and contact me through my web site. 

Walt: I understand that you have scheduled a writing class for Fall 2009. Please explain that event. 

Suzanne: Skull and Spine: The First Chapter and the Chapter Outline of your Book - Part 1, is set for Oct 6 - Nov 24 at The Writers Workspace, Chicago. Enrollment is limited, and anyone interested in securing a space should contact me via my web site or by email. 

My workshop will help anyone starting a book length project get a handle on their idea. This in-depth 8-week workshop is for the novelist, short story writer, memoirist and essayist taking a first pass at a book-length project. We’ll sketch your conflict, crisis, and resolution, set up your scenes, settings and a sense of journey that drives a reader past the first chapter and into the rest of your manuscript. This class is ideal for getting a big idea on the page. By the end you will have written, workshopped and revised the first chapter and committed to a working chapter outline. 

I'm planning these additional workshops: 

Winter 2010 - Weekend Writing Retreat in the Southwest. Exact location and details to come 

Spring 2010 - Skull and Spine: The First Chapter and the Chapter Outline of your Book - Part 2 

Walt: Many thanks, Suzanne, for taking time out of your busy schedule to spend it with members of the Chicago Writers Association.