A Conversation with Emma Fedor by Swetha Amit
Swetha Amit: What inspired At Sea? How did the idea initially come about?
Emma Fedor: I have always wanted to write a novel. I had this original manuscript I spent years on and tried pitching it to agents. It didn't work out, so I decided to start over again. Through this process, I learned much about myself and the publishing industry. I developed this idea of how to write something that will attract attention and stay true to myself as a writer. My inspiration comes from the things I've been reading. For this instance, the idea emanated after reading the State of Wonder by Ann Patchett, which traces the journey of a researcher on an expedition in Brazil. And then, one day, when I was snorkeling, I wondered what if someone could breathe underwater without any apparatus, and the story was built on from there.
SA: How long did it take you to write At Sea?
EF: It took me about five years. I am not a fast writer and was juggling a full-time job involving intensive writing. This book was written on weekends and vacations whenever I could squeeze in time. Sometimes I'd go months without writing. This five-year time also includes the first drafts and revisions.
SA: It's interesting how you alternate between two protagonist timelines in your book. Was the structure initially planned out that way?
EF: I don't usually outline or plan my writing. I'm one of those people who just begins writing and hopes it goes somewhere. Initially, this book was supposed to be in two parts. I generally write in chronological order. I started writing the 2008 section parts and jumped into the 2014 timeline. I always knew I wanted to begin the book with that instance of having two figures sighted in water and not coming back to the surface. It was mysterious, and I initially planned it as a prologue. One day when I printed it all out, I separated it into different sections and shuffled them around. I wanted readers to read something first and wonder how the characters got there, and it can get tricky with a dual timeline. It can be exciting but also confusing.
SA: You chose to tell the story of your protagonist, Cara, using close third narrative. What made you choose this point of view instead of the first person?
EF: I gravitate towards the first person as it feels natural and easier. Somewhere along the way, I challenged myself and switched to close third. I was surprised to see how I could provide more depth in the scenic descriptions. It gives you more freedom in what you can say and how to develop the characters. Cara is sort of naïve and ignores the red flags, so using the first person would not help strike the balance I wanted to attain in my story.
SA: Your book is an interesting mash-up of genres. It's got this element of mystery, romance, thriller, and psychological angle. How did it all come up for you?
EF: I wasn't shooting for any genre. Although I recollect wanting to write about people in their twenties trying to figure out what they were doing. I was fascinated with the time and age group where Cara is in her life. I wanted a good romance in the story. The other factors evolved along the way when I was writing. I was surprised when the mystery and thriller elements developed during the process. I started with the idea of what if someone could breathe underwater but wanted to explore something other than science fiction. The psychological aspect was to ground the story back to reality.
SA: Returning to the characterization, how did you develop the stories of Cara and Brendon?
EF: When I first wrote about Brendon, I wanted him to be the charming person Cara would immediately fall in love with. Initially, I was afraid to give him faults as I wanted him to be likable. Along the way, I realized it would not be realistic if I carved him out to be so perfect. I decided to add more dimension to Brendon's character and complexity to Cara and Brendon's relationship. I wanted to project that just because someone has flaws or is battling mental illness doesn't mean you'll like them less. However, it makes their relationship much more difficult.
SA: It's interesting how you set the story on an island where Cara is cut off from everything else. Did you always intend the setting to be an island?
EF: Early on, I knew I wanted to set something in Martha's Vineyard. Initially, I didn't think about it being an island. I just thought about this place's beauty and wanted to get it on the page. It wasn't until I started writing the novel I realized how much of an impact this setting had on Cara's character. Especially when she is cut off from everything at that point. It was likely she'd believe Brendon and get absorbed with him to a point where he became her world.
SA: In the book, Cara says how art is an anecdote and helps with the healing process. Do you similarly view art/writing?
EF: From a young age, I was a big journal and diary writer. I would write as though no one was ever going to read it. If you think someone would see it, it's not going to be sincere, and you aren't going to say what you are feeling. That helps with fiction writing too. I turn to writing when I am struggling with something. It's cathartic to be able to write down everything.
SA: What do you expect readers to take away from this book?
EF: I want readers to suspend their disbelief and believe in the unbelievable, which we don't get to do in life. This book is an escape in that sense. We know someone can't breathe underwater, but it's fun and liberating to just let yourself imagine they could and not get bogged down by the details of it. The way readers interpret the ending will also say a lot about who they are.
SA: Who are the books/authors who have inspired you?
EF: While growing up, I read a lot of Judy Blume. It was great to read her work, where she talks about things that people don't like talking about. Summer Sisters is a book I love. Lily King is my favorite writer; her storytelling style is beautiful and graceful. Three Women and Animal by Lisa Taddeo are also books I like. I gravitate towards women writers and enjoy works with good family sagas, relationships, and coming of age.
SA: What's your favorite childhood memory?
EF: It would be going out on a boat at Cape Cod with my cousins and cruising along the bay on a summer day.
SA: What's the strangest place you have visited?
EF: I majored in Spanish in my college days. So, I spent a semester in Peru. I did an independent study with descendants of the Machiguenga tribe in the tributary area in the Amazon. It was different from anywhere I've been and a beautiful experience.
SA: Do you have any weird writing habits?
EF: I seldom write at a desk. I am always reclined on a bed or cozy chair, with my knees curled up, plonked with many blankets and pillows.
SA: Are there any upcoming books in the pipeline?
EF: I just finished a draft for a potential next book. It traces a group of rock climbers in the American west and revolves around the death of a rising star rock climber. It remains to be seen whether his death was an accident, or some foul play was involved. The book is written in multiple points of view from the perspectives of four people close to him and potential suspects.
Emma Fedor grew up in Connecticut and later attended Kenyon College, where she double majored in Spanish Area Studies and English with an emphasis in creative writing. Her short story “Climb” was selected as a semi-finalist for the 2018 American Short(er) Fiction Prize, and her debut novel, At Sea, was named a GoodReads and Zibby Mag most anticipated book of 2023. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, baby girl, and chocolate lab, Homer.
Author of her memoir, A Turbulent Mind-My journey to Ironman 70.3’, Swetha Amit is currently pursuing her MFA at University of San Francisco. She has published her works in Atticus Review, JMWW journal, Oranges Journal, Gastropoda Lit, Full House literary, Amphora magazine, Grande Dame literary journal, Black Moon Magazine, Fauxmoir lit mag, Poets Choice anthology, and has upcoming pieces in Drunk Monkeys, Agapanthus Collective, The Creative Zine, and Roi Faineant Press. She is one of the contest winners of Beyond words literary magazine, her piece upcoming in November. She is also, alumni of Tin House Winter Workshop 2022 and the Kenyon Review Writers’ workshop 2022. Twitter: @whirlwindtotsInstagram @swethaamit