We’ve all been there, or know someone who has: overeducated and underemployed, a grown-up child is forced to return to his or her parents’ home until something better comes along. In One Bird’s Choice, memoirist Iain Reid returns to live with his eccentric parents, where he scores a part-time job at a radio station in his home town. To make matters worse, his parents own a hobby farm and Iain is expected to help out. The result is an entertaining and heartwarming exploration of family, growing up, and learning that you really can go home again.
One Bird’s Choice is Iain Reid’s first book and he chatted with Books@Torontoist about taking it from concept to creation for our latest Coming Soon interview.
Torontoist: Give us your one-sentence pitch for the new book, One Bird’s Choice.
Iain Reid: I’m terrible at pitches but here goes: it’s a funny (true) story about family and food and animals and life. You see, I told you.
Torontoist: How long did it take to write it?
IR: I’ve been working on this book in one form or another for about three years or so.
Torontoist: This is your first book. What surprised you about the process from taking book from concept to reality?
IR: Throughout the process I’ve been surprised at times how long it takes for a book to get in the stores. It’s a marathon. Although in reality I think that’s just an illusion for a first time writer who wants to be running a sprint. It doesn’t really take that long. But after every draft I always felt like, okay, great, the book’s done, but my editor would just laugh and say, no, not yet, settle down. That’s something else I was surprised at (but pleasantly so): my editor. I never knew the importance of a good editor. My editor at Anansi, Janie Yoon, is brilliant. We didn’t argue once. I didn’t appreciate the sheer skill that editing requires until I worked with her. It’s a knack I’ll never have.
Torontoist: Did you let your family and friends look at the book while you were writing it?
IR: Indeed I did. My parents would ask me to read them chapters as they were being finished. So they, along with their cats, were my first audience. Their reaction was always the same. They would laugh. They’ve been supportive throughout. My parents understand it was a funny situation and they have the ability to laugh at themselves (and me, of course). If they ever felt uncomfortable about anything I wouldn’t have written it. But we’re not talking big family secrets here or anything. It’s not a reality show about some pseudo-celebrity family.
Torontoist: How did it feel when the final galleys arrived at your door?
IR: I remember a writer friend of mine told me by the time the final book arrives at your door and it’s in your hand, it’s not even that exciting anymore, because you’ve poured over it so many times and considered it and seen arc copies, etc. But he’s written a lot of books. I suppose because it’s my first one I was still pretty damn chuffed to get my hands on it. It’s moderately terrifying, too, because every page, every word, has the potential to be reveal a mistake.
Torontoist: What was the editorial process like?
IR: It was sweet. I really got lucky with my editor. I have only good things to say about her and the process. It’s a nice feeling to watch someone who’s very good at their job while at the same time making you look better. And I’m not sure she could say the same about me. My spelling is atrocious.
Torontoist: Did you catch any last-second mistakes?
IR: I don’t think so—some little things, but nothing dramatic anyway. Of course now that I say that, I’m going to find something glaring in the actual book…I definitely jinxed it.
Torontoist: Were you tempted to make major changes to the manuscript at this late stage in the game, or is the book truly finished?
IR: We made some pretty large structural changes at the start and added quite a bit of text, but once that early stage was complete it was mostly fine tuning. There were no major changes in the last couple of drafts. This book is finished.
Torontoist: What do you think of the cover? Did you have an idea for the cover going in or did the designer take the reins from the start?
IR: For a while I was pretty worried about what was going to happen with the cover. I’m a picky person. And right from the start I had an idea in mind of the type of thing I wanted. When I was emailed a picture of the cover by my publishers I was nervous to open the attachment. I was certain I’d be let down, even partially. But I had the opposite reaction. I loved the cover and thought it hit the perfect tone. It really represents the story well and was so obviously much better than what I could have come up with. Bill Douglas is the guy who designed it. And he got Edward Pond to take a photograph. I’m very thankful it was Bill Douglas.
Torontoist: What are you hoping to achieve with One Birds’ Choice?
IR: That’s a difficult question. I’m not really sure what I hope to achieve with it. I think the part of the process I can control is done now. The book has been written and soon will be put out there. So what happens from here is up to everyone else. I guess I hope, like most writers, that lots of people read it. And that they enjoy the story.
Torontoist: Have you started on a new book or are you taking a well-deserved break?
IR: I took a rest when we finished the book, but that was a while ago. I’ve been back working on something new all summer. It’s also non-fiction. It’s coming along but still a little early to be talking much about it. But I certainly don’t feel deprived of rest. I like resting. I rest a lot, if it’s well deserved, or not.
One Birds’ Choice will be published by House of Anansi Press in September 2010.
