Maureen Morrissey
Author Interview - Maureen Morrissey
Author of Sonder: Janie's Story
Downtown New York City in the 1970’s and 80’s is a dark and dangerous place for Janie Thompson. A young woman unequipped to make her way through the temptations and pitfalls that littered cold days and mean nights, she is in and out of danger at every turn.
She has left behind the family and neighborhood that almost destroyed her to search for her lost brother and herself. The journey takes her deep into rabbit holes as she tries to navigate a path through before it is too late.
A "sonder," the realization that she is not truly alone, may be the only thing that saves her.
Author Interview - Maureen Morrissey
Author I draw inspiration from: Margaret Atwood's strong female characters are my number one inspiration for the women in my books. Ken Follett brings his stories to life, whether it is a historical fiction or modern-day thriller. He writes great detailed descriptions and you learn or remember forgotten facts along the way. Herman Wouk is another inspiration, his characters are flawed and very human as they experience historical events. He makes you reconsider what you think you know.
Author Interview - Maureen Morrissey | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book: I love to read outside on a warm sunny day or inside by the fireplace on a wintry one!
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with: There are so many, I'd have to be in elevators all day. I would start with Lillian from my own novel Woven: Six Stories, One Epic Journey. She is bad-ass (can I say that??) and would have some interesting insights into a woman's life in the 1920's-1970's.
Author Interview - Maureen Morrissey | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author: My first rejection as a writer came when I was seven years old. I had set up a writing and publishing center in my room, where I wrote, illustrated and stapled together scary stories on that thin beige-colored drawing paper common in the 1960's. I went to my mother with my first self-published book, as proud as a peacock, and asked if she wanted to by it for a nickel.
At the time, a nickel would have bought five chocolate Ice Cubes or half a fried chicken wing from the kosher butcher; I figured I would sell a second book for the other half, or wait for my six cent allowance on Saturday to make up the difference. At any rate, she was probably washing clothes or cleaning the bathroom (both of which would soon become my chores; punishment for bothering her? Hard to tell.) and just said, "No."
That hurt but also, like everything that hurts, gave me a resolve to keep trying. Through these many, many (many, many, many) years, I have written countless short stories, published articles and book chapters for teachers, and continued my learning through endless Writing Workshop experiences and lectures and classes. And all of that brought me through to retirement in the middle of a pandemic, giving me time and mind space to sit down and write my first novel, Woven.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook: Paperback, every time! The organic feel of the paper and the weight of the book and the sound of pages turning, and whatever smell that is, take me back to sitting among the stacks at the NYC Public Library as a five year old. As a long-time elementary school teacher, I found such pleasure in sharing "hard copies" of books with kids. Now that I am also a grandmother, I cannot imagine reading an ebook to my grands either.
The last book I read: I just finished A Faithful but Melancholy Account of Several Barbarities Lately Committed, by Jason Brown, subtitle "Linked Stories". I was talking to a friend about the construct of my novel Woven being a series of short stories that weave together, and she recommended this. It was nice to see Woven is not alone.
Author Interview - Maureen Morrissey | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer: Pen and paper for thoughts, plans, ideas, wonders; computer for composing...It took years to make the transition to using a computer for writing but now I find the ease of editing and revising too great to go back.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with: Harriet the Spy (book by the same name by Louise Fitzhugh) and I would have been thick as thieves. I am not sure now whether she inspired me as a child or whether I found a kindred spirit in her. Her insecurities got her in trouble but her basically good and kind character never let her completely down.
Author Interview - Maureen Morrissey | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a: Since this is my second career (third if you count raising a family), I think if I were not an author, I would still be teaching. Helping children learn to read deeply and thoughtfully, and helping them find their voices through writing was such a joy. But then, if I thought about all the paths I did not choose I might be an astronaut or a geologist or a professional photographer or a travel blogger.
Favorite decade in fashion history: To be very honest, fashion was not a priority until much later in life, long after my daughters asked, "Are you really leaving the house dressed like that?" I guess I would have to say I enjoy all the options of current fashion trends for both men and women.
Place I’d most like to travel: Sooooo many, because traveling opens up my mind and new experiences are invaluable. I just love being immersed in different cultures and local cuisine and beautiful places. Number one on the list is New Zealand. It has always been my dream to spend a month roaming that magnificent country.
My signature drink: I love a skinny margarita on a warm sunny day, but will definitely make do with a G&T or mojito. In the winter, I go for a Pinot Noir or a Manhattan with a Luxardo cherry. This question is making me thirsty.
Favorite artist: I am a huge fan of 1970's photography and no one did it better than Mick Rock. He captured the times and the icons with emotion and lighting in both color and black and white.
Number one on my bucket list: Our first trek after retiring was supposed to be a month long journey around South and Central America, but the pandemic has put it on hold, hopefully not for much longer. The plan is to spend a few days exploring the Galapagos in Ecuador, hike Machu Pichu in Peru and visit family in Colombia and Panama. If we accidentally wind up in Brazil and/or in the Amazon rainforest, I would not be upset.
Anything else you'd like to add: My life, with my husband of forty two years, has been some trip! This newest venture, that of writer and published author, is the latest in a string of adventures and I look forward to many more. But this new world in which I find myself, with readers and writers as my new peer group, is a thrill every day. I thank you all for the support you give to the artists who take up pen or keyboard to share their innermost thoughts with the world.
Find more from the author:
https://maureenmorrisseysauthorsite.wordpress.com/
https://www.facebook.com/Maureen-Morrisseys-Author-Page-100453655228193
mobility61@yahoo.com
Sonder https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09VF3RZR3
Woven: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08NCPHYZY
Author Bio: Maureen Morrissey is a writer, retired educator, wife/mother/grandmother/ daughter/auntie/dog mommy, avid reader, photographer, traveler, blogger, and most recently, half-marathon runner. In her spare time, she volunteers at animal shelters and investigates the quality of rooftop bars in New York City, her hometown. Oh, and she loves concerts, museums and Broadway shows, too.
Maureen began writing her first novel, Woven, the day after retiring from teaching fourth grade, in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic. Housebound, and with the mind-space and time, finally, to dedicate to the undertaking, she dove in to a daily routine of researching, composing and revising Woven; finishing the first draft in Autumn and self-publishing in December 2020.
She recently completed a second novel, Sonder. She is enjoying the companionship and support of her community of writers and authors.
