James Ellroy Reveals Secrets of His Writing Inspirations
James Ellroy shares insights into his writing inspirations, shaped by personal trauma and a unique creative discipline.
Key Points
- • Ellroy's writing is influenced by the murder of his mother during his childhood.
- • He describes his work ethic as 'Herculean and Calvinist'.
- • Ellroy blends fact and fiction, using real American history in his narratives.
- • He cites influences from literature, classical music, and select films.
In a recent masterclass at the Festival America in Vincennes, celebrated author James Ellroy provided a candid look into his writing inspirations and creative processes, particularly in relation to his latest work, *Les Enchanteurs*. Ellroy's narratives are deeply informed by his personal history, especially the traumatic loss of his mother to murder during his childhood. He openly acknowledged leveraging this profound tragedy as a fuel for his writing career, stating, "I used this atrocious event to sell books."
Ellroy incorporates a rigorous work ethic into his craft, describing it as being both 'Herculean and Calvinist', which he believes underscores his talent, attributed to a divine gift. He noted, "I have a talent that was given to me by God... I do not waver in my determination to create ever more perfect books to glorify God."
His writing often blends fact and fiction, focusing on the dark fabric of American history, particularly the crime scene of Los Angeles, where he imagines alternative narratives surrounding historical figures, such as Freddy Otash and Marilyn Monroe. Ellroy elaborated, saying, "The starting point is American history, the criminal history of Los Angeles. Then, I imagine an imaginary version of the events that actually happened."
He also highlighted the significance of reflective periods in his creative process, stating, "I learned very early to entertain myself with my mind. I think I am not particularly intelligent, but I am an incredibly precise observer." Influenced by the works of Dashiell Hammett, as well as classical music from Beethoven, Ellroy also expressed his preference for original narratives over film adaptations of his work, even though he recognizes the influence of cinematic masterpieces like *L'avventura* and *La Dolce Vita* on his storytelling style.