Photo by Sylvie Rosokoff
Amy Shearn is the author of the new novel Animal Instinct. Her other books include Dear Edna Sloane. She lives in Brooklyn.
Q: What inspired you to write Animal Instinct, and how did you create your character Rachel?
A: Like my character, I had gotten divorced right before the pandemic, and found it so incredibly strange to be trying to make a fresh start in such deeply weird times.
But a novel needs a story, not just a kind of interesting vibe, so I invented Rachel, who is using AI to invent her own perfect person to date.
I was thinking a lot about how much we invite technology into our lives, even in these really intimate corners like our romantic lives, and how we might want to be a little more intentional about that. I also wanted to celebrate the sexuality of women in mid-life, and write about a character exploring her queerness.
Q: What role do you see AI playing in the novel?
A: At first it was merely a mechanism for the main question of the plot, which is something like: What would happen if, instead of having to choose from who’s available, we were able to create our own specific ideal person? Or more specifically: What happens when Rachel creates her perfect person using AI, but then it seems to take on a life of its own?
When I started writing, in 2020, this felt like science fiction. Now, very weirdly, people already seem used to incorporating AI into every corner of their lives!
Q: Oprah Daily said of the book, “From celebrating women in mid-life embracing their sexual liberation to revealing (rather devastatingly) our co-dependency on technology to build emotional intimacy, Shearn’s novel is at once genuinely provocative, deeply heartwarming, and aware of its time.” What do you think of that description?
A: I’m so flattered by it! I love it so much. I was especially interested in celebrating women in mid-life, so I’m delighted that reviewers have seen this.
Q: Did you know how the novel would end before you started writing it, or did you make many changes along the way?
A: I didn’t know how it would end! In the first iteration of the book, I had the AI become kind of malevolent by the end. I wanted to make a kind of comment on what happens when we trust technology with our souls, really.
But then as the book coalesced, I realized that, in the world of this novel, it was more important to me that Rachel is not punished for her sexuality, and for having some optimism about dating and sex and love. So – without sharing too many spoilers! – the ending changed quite a bit.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’ve actually been working on a short story, which is such a fun palate cleanser after releasing two novels in two years (I’m very tired). I also have another novel in progress. I haven’t touched it in a while, but the characters are getting loud in a way that signals to me I’ll be back to work on it soon!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: I work with writers at all levels as a coach and developmental editor! As a coach, I truly love getting to coax stuck writers back to a creative practice. And I find editing novels and memoirs in progress to be incredibly satisfying. Interested writers can find more information on my website! :-)
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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