AUTHOR CHAT with Bonnie Garmus - Lessons in Chemistry
TLDRIn this engaging interview, debut novelist Bonnie Garmas discusses her journey to publishing her successful book 'Lessons in Chemistry,' a New York Times bestseller and GMA book club pick. She shares insights into her main character, Elizabeth Zott, and the inspiration behind her creation, as well as the challenges faced by women in the workplace. Bonnie also talks about her personal experiences with sexism, her passion for rowing, and the exciting adaptation of her book into a series, including her involvement in the project and the importance of accurate representation.
Takeaways
- 📖 The author, Bonnie Garmas, is a debut novelist with a background in copywriting and creative direction, with experience in technology, medicine, and education.
- 🌟 'Lessons in Chemistry' is a New York Times bestseller and a GMA book club pick, featuring the character Elizabeth Zott, a 1960s scientist turned TV cooking show star.
- 🎓 Garmas began writing at a young age and has always been involved in writing, though 'Lessons in Chemistry' is her first published novel.
- 💡 The inspiration for 'Lessons in Chemistry' came from a personal experience of Garmas' where her ideas were claimed by a male colleague without credit.
- 📚 The process of publishing 'Lessons in Chemistry' was lengthy, taking 18 months from completion to publication.
- 👩👧 Garmas drew from her own life and observations of societal issues, such as the treatment of women in the workplace, to create the character of Elizabeth Zott.
- 📖 The novel explores themes of sexism, motherhood, and the pursuit of personal and professional fulfillment.
- 🐶 The character of the dog, 6 30, in the novel was inspired by Garmas' own dog, Friday, who was incredibly intelligent and had a remarkable story of resilience.
- 🎬 A screen adaptation of 'Lessons in Chemistry' is in the works, with Garmas serving as a co-executive producer and providing feedback on the scripts.
- 📚 Garmas is working on a new book set in the 80s and 90s, which she describes as a very organic writing process.
Q & A
What inspired Bonnie Garmus to write 'Lessons in Chemistry'?
-Bonnie Garmus was inspired to write 'Lessons in Chemistry' after experiencing a situation where her ideas were dismissed and then presented as someone else's in a professional meeting. This led her to create the character of Elizabeth Zott, a scientist who faces similar challenges in a male-dominated field.
How does Bonnie Garmus approach her writing process?
-Bonnie Garmus does not use a strict outline for her writing. She allows characters to develop organically and enjoys the process of discovering who they are and how they interact with the main character, Elizabeth Zott. She also revises her work extensively, sometimes rewriting sentences up to 20 times to get the flow and transition just right.
What is the significance of the character 6 30 in 'Lessons in Chemistry'?
-6 30, the dog in 'Lessons in Chemistry', provides a unique perspective on the human characters and their actions. His narrative voice is laced with kindness and directness, offering commentary on human behavior and decisions. Bonnie Garmus based 6 30 on her own dog, Friday, who was incredibly intelligent and had a profound impact on her life.
How does Bonnie Garmus feel about the U.S. cover of 'Lessons in Chemistry'?
-Bonnie Garmus was not entirely satisfied with the U.S. cover of 'Lessons in Chemistry', feeling that it was too romantic and did not accurately represent the book's content. She appreciated the UK and German covers more and was open to the idea of a new cover design for the paperback edition.
What was Bonnie Garmus' experience with sexism in the workplace like?
-Bonnie Garmus has experienced sexism in the workplace, which influenced her portrayal of such issues in 'Lessons in Chemistry'. She has heard from many women in labs around the world who can relate to Elizabeth Zott's experiences, indicating that while progress has been made, there is still a significant gap in gender equality in the workplace.
How did Bonnie Garmus incorporate her passion for rowing into 'Lessons in Chemistry'?
-Bonnie Garmus is an avid rower and incorporated this into the novel by making rowing a significant part of the character's lives. She feels that rowing is a cooperative and persevering sport, which contrasts with the typical workplace environment. She wanted to juxtapose the balance and teamwork required in rowing with the often disruptive nature of office work.
What was the process like for Bonnie Garmus to get her book published?
-Bonnie Garmus had a unique publishing experience. After finishing about three-quarters of 'Lessons in Chemistry', she attended a Curtis Brown writing course in London. At a party thrown by Curtis Brown, she met Felicity Blunt, an agent, who expressed interest in her work. Despite not having finished the book, Bonnie committed to a deadline, and Felicity ended up signing her based on the partial manuscript.
How does Bonnie Garmus feel about the potential for a sequel to 'Lessons in Chemistry'?
-Bonnie Garmus does not plan to write a sequel to 'Lessons in Chemistry'. She believes in leaving when the getting is good and not disappointing readers with a sequel that might not live up to their expectations. She prefers to focus on new stories and characters.
What was Bonnie Garmus' reaction to the news of being nominated for Barnes and Noble Book of the Year?
-Bonnie Garmus was shocked and thrilled to be nominated for Barnes and Noble Book of the Year. She was particularly surprised given her age, as she didn't expect such recognition later in her career.
What role does Bonnie Garmus play in the adaptation of 'Lessons in Chemistry' for screen?
-Bonnie Garmus is a co-executive producer for the screen adaptation of 'Lessons in Chemistry'. Her role involves reading scripts and providing feedback to the scriptwriter. However, she acknowledges that her suggestions are not binding and the final decisions rest with the production team.
What are Bonnie Garmus' thoughts on the portrayal of the character Elizabeth Zott?
-Bonnie Garmus wanted to create Elizabeth Zott as a strong, independent woman who does not accept irrationality and is very rational in her ideas and thoughts. She wanted Elizabeth to be a role model for herself and for others, someone who does not second-guess herself and handles conflicts and challenges with resilience.
Outlines
📖 Introduction and Setting the Scene
The video script opens with the host greeting the audience and setting the scene for the interview. The host is in an airport lounge due to work commitments and expresses excitement for the upcoming discussion. The guest, Bonnie Garmas, is introduced as a multifaceted individual with a background in copywriting, creative direction, and a personal life that includes being a mother and an Open Water swimmer. The host mentions the book 'Lessons in Chemistry', highlighting its success and the central character, Elizabeth Zott, a scientist turned TV cooking show star in 1960s California.
🌟 Bonnie's Journey to Publication
Bonnie Garmas shares her journey to becoming a published author, which began at a young age with her attempts at writing novels. She discusses the challenges of balancing writing with a full-time job and the rejections she faced before finally achieving success with 'Lessons in Chemistry'. The process of getting her book published is described as lengthy and arduous, taking 18 months from completion to publication.
💡 Inspiration Behind 'Lessons in Chemistry'
Bonnie reveals the inspiration behind her novel 'Lessons in Chemistry', which stems from a personal experience of having her ideas stolen during a technology meeting. This event led her to write the first chapter as a form of constructive anger. She also talks about the process of character development, mentioning that Elizabeth Zott was initially a minor character in an unfinished novel but grew to become the protagonist of 'Lessons in Chemistry'.
🌈 Crafting Elizabeth Zott's Character
Bonnie discusses the conscious decision behind creating Elizabeth Zott's background and character traits. She was influenced by experiences of friends with gay children who faced rejection and wanted to explore the dynamics of a character with a zealous religious upbringing. Elizabeth's reluctance to be on television and her scientific mindset are highlighted as key elements that shape her character and her journey in the story.
🎭 The Evolution of Elizabeth's Story
Bonnie explains her organic approach to writing, allowing characters to develop naturally without a strict outline. She talks about the importance of Elizabeth's journey and the family she creates for herself in the story. Bonnie also shares her initial reluctance to make Elizabeth a television personality, but the decision was made to explore the conflicts that arise from her attractiveness and intelligence in the workplace.
📚 Writing Process and Future Projects
Bonnie describes her writing routine, emphasizing the importance of revision and the influence of her copywriting background on her writing style. She also discusses her reluctance to write a sequel to 'Lessons in Chemistry', preferring to leave the story open-ended and not disappointing readers. Bonnie hints at her current work on a new book, expressing her love for the characters and the story.
🌟 The Impact of 'Lessons in Chemistry'
Bonnie reflects on the impact of 'Lessons in Chemistry', particularly the character of Elizabeth Zott. She shares how Elizabeth has become a role model for her and others, embodying strength and resilience. Bonnie also discusses the historical context of the novel and her surprise at it being categorized as historical fiction, despite her perception of historical fiction as being set in much earlier times.
🚣♀️ Rowing and its Significance in the Novel
Bonnie talks about her personal experience with rowing and how it influenced the inclusion of the sport in her novel. She highlights the collaborative and persevering nature of rowing and contrasts it with the typical workplace environment. Bonnie sees rowing as a metaphor for teamwork and cooperation, which she believes could improve workplace dynamics.
🐶 The Inspiration Behind 6 30, the Dog
Bonnie shares the inspiration behind the character of 6 30, the dog in her novel. Her own dog, Friday, who was incredibly intelligent and had a remarkable story, served as the basis for 6 30. Bonnie also discusses the significance of the name 99 for her dog, which is a nostalgic reference to a childhood friendship.
🎬 Adaptation into Series and Cover Art Controversy
Bonnie talks about the upcoming adaptation of 'Lessons in Chemistry' into a series, her role as a co-executive producer, and her interactions with the scriptwriter. She mentions the challenges of translating the book's narrative to the screen and the adjustments made for the series. Bonnie also addresses the controversy surrounding the U.S. cover of her book, expressing her dissatisfaction with the romanticized image and the decision to change it for the paperback edition.
🤣 Humor in Literature and Reader Interaction
Bonnie discusses the humor in her writing, attributing it to her experience in writing speeches and her husband's reaction to her work. She emphasizes the importance of humor in keeping readers engaged and shares her excitement about the positive reactions to her book's comedic elements.
📚 Book Recommendations and Future Plans
Bonnie shares her favorite books from the past year, including 'Maureen Frye and the Angel of the North' by Rachel Joyce. She also recommends 'The Authority Gap', a non-fiction book that addresses gender inequality in the workplace. Bonnie expresses her hope to tour the U.S. again and her excitement about the upcoming audiobook for 'Remarkably Bright Creatures'.
🎉 Closing Remarks and Upcoming Events
The host concludes the interview by thanking Bonnie for her participation and highlighting the upcoming author event featuring Shelby Van Pelt. The host encourages viewers to follow Bonnie and engage with her on social media platforms for updates on her work and future appearances.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Debut Novelist
💡Open Water Swimmer
💡Copywriter
💡Chemist
💡TV Cooking Show
💡Sexism
💡Rowing
💡Motherhood
💡Writing Process
💡Book Cover
Highlights
Bonnie Garmas, a copywriter and creative director, discusses her debut novel, 'Lessons in Chemistry,' a New York Times bestseller and GMA book club pick.
The novel features Elizabeth Zott, a 1960s scientist whose career takes an unexpected turn when she becomes the star of a beloved TV cooking show.
Bonnie was 64 when her book was published, having finished it at 62, and shares the long wait and process of publishing.
Bonnie has been writing since she was five, and her journey to becoming a novelist includes experiences of rejection and perseverance.
The inspiration for 'Lessons in Chemistry' came from a personal experience of Bonnie's, where her ideas were claimed by a male colleague in a meeting.
Bonnie's writing process involves a lot of rewriting and revising, with a focus on creating a story that captivates readers for hours.
The character of Elizabeth Zott was developed to be a strong, independent woman who does not accept irrationality and is very rational in her ideas.
Bonnie's own dog, Friday, inspired the character of Six Thirty, the dog in the novel who provides a unique perspective on human behavior.
The book addresses sexism and the challenges women face in the workplace, drawing from Bonnie's personal experiences and observations.
Bonnie shares her excitement about the upcoming series adaptation of 'Lessons in Chemistry' and her role as a co-executive producer.
The cover design of the book has been a topic of discussion, with Bonnie expressing her preference for the UK and German covers over the US cover.
Bonnie's recommendations for books include 'Maureen Frye and the Angel of the North' by Rachel Joyce and 'The Authority Gap', a non-fiction book discussing women's equality at work.
Bonnie's writing routine involves starting early, reading what she wrote the previous day, and spending several hours editing and refining her work.
The character of Calvin, who comes from an orphanage, is designed to be a strong male ally in the book, showing that such characters can help close the gap on sexism.
Bonnie's experience with rowing, both as a sport and as a metaphor for teamwork and cooperation, influenced the inclusion of rowing in the novel.
The book's reception has been positive, with many readers relating to Elizabeth Zott's character and finding inspiration in her strength and resilience.
Bonnie's background in copywriting has influenced her writing style, with a focus on precision and the importance of rewriting to achieve the desired impact.
The novel 'Lessons in Chemistry' explores themes of motherhood, personal and professional growth, and societal expectations through the life of Elizabeth Zott.
Transcripts
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