Meet the Accomplished Lehman Lecturer and Author of the Exciting Young Adult Thriller, ‘’SUN DON’T SHINE’’
The women behind numerous acclaimed novels who write “to make sense of the world.”
By Emmanuel Okoli
There are novels you trudge through, where the characters and stories are just words on a page, and then there are novels by Crissa-Jean Chappell. I’ve read a lot of good books, and I’ve read my fair share of bad ones. What separates the two is the author’s ability to make the story immersive. Authors who can make the characters and their tribulations matter to you. Crissa-Jean has mastered this craft, not just in her stories but in all her written work.
Crissa-Jean Chappell is a renowned author and Lehman professor who has taught in the creative writing department for nine years. A natural creative, Jean grew up imagining fantastical adventures of dragons, pirates, and tentacles. Her ability to vividly curate immersive fantasies is why her work is so highly acclaimed.
In books like ‘’Life Inside My Head’’, ‘’Snowbirds’’, and ‘’Sun Don’t Shine,’’ the Florida native spins tales that take your senses for a spin using techniques like concrete language. This technique allows authors to illustrate aspects you can smell, taste, see, hear, and feel.
I recently had the opportunity to interview Jean. Here’s what she had to say.
What inspired you to start writing?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’When I was little, my dad used to read to me. He would stop at the library on his drive home from work and load up the trunk with stacks of books. Some of my favorites are ‘’Frog and Toad’’, ‘’James and the Giant Peach’’, ‘’Charlotte’s Web’’, and ‘’Anything’’ by Beverly Cleary. After a while, my parents discovered that I was reading the newspaper independently (at first, they thought I’d just memorized my favorite books). Then I started to write my own stories on notebook paper—mysteries about magical ponies and sisters who lived in a treehouse.’’
How long have you taught at Lehman?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’I taught creative writing at the college level for almost twenty years, nine years at Lehman and ten in Miami.’’
How long have you been an author? What is it like?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’My first novel, ‘’Total Constant Order’’, was published by HarperCollins in 2007. Over the years, I’ve seen a lot of changes in the publishing world—specifically with social media. Authors and readers can share a conversation through pictures on Instagram or videos on TikTok. It would’ve blown my mind as a kid when I was mailing fan letters to Anne Rice.’’
Why do you write?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’I write to make sense of the world. In fiction, we have plot and structure, and everything that happens must serve a purpose (while real life can often feel random and unpredictable). Writing is all about connection. It’s amazing when I receive emails from readers saying: “I relate to this character,” or something in the story speaks to them personally. Of course, once a book is published, it doesn’t belong to me anymore. It becomes part of the reader’s imagination, crafted from their memories. And that’s a little magical, too.’’
What do you enjoy most about writing and being an author?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’I can daydream at my desk for hours when working on a story. In a way, it’s also like time travel. I forget about the noisy outside world and disappear inside my head. I listen to the characters’ voices and wait for them to tell me their secrets. I don’t outline my novels until after the first draft, so seeing what my characters will do next is fun and surprises me!’’
What do you dislike about writing?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’My characters are like friends to me. I’m always a little sad to say goodbye to them.’’
How did you develop your writing style?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’I learned much about story structure from my film professors in college (my MFA is in screenwriting, and my Ph.D. is interdisciplinary). If you’ve taken my classes at Lehman, you know I’m a fan of Joseph Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces and how mythology shapes our modern lives. Stories are all about human experience. ’’
What's the most challenging part about being a writer?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’The first draft is just the beginning. Revision can be a big challenge. I tend to write a lot of stuff that eventually I’ll cut out and toss in the “zombie graveyard” file on my laptop. Sometimes, the zombie parts will resurrect into a new draft, but usually they stay dead….’’
How do you deal with writer's block?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’I always tell my students I don’t believe in writer’s block. Of course, that doesn’t mean I don’t sometimes get stuck while working on a new book. If I get stuck, I must consider the hero’s dramatic need. If the hero has a specific goal, you will keep building obstacles and problems that force them to grow and change.’’
What do you want to share with aspirational students who wish to be writers?
Crissa-Jean: ‘’Trust in your voice. Don’t let the robots (I’m looking at you, ChatGPT!) steal your voice away. Storytelling is all about sharing your unique view of the world. That’s your greatest superpower.’’
