Today I am chatting with the delectable Amy Maroney. A longtime writer and editor of nonfiction who dove down the historical fiction rabbit hole several years ago and came back up with The Miramonde Series.
The first book in the series, The Girl from Oto, was praised as “an exquisite novel” by National Book Award winner Martha Conway. The second book, Mira’s Way, is due out this summer.
Question 1:- Looks like we’re heading for a nuclear apocalypse how would you spend the final days.
In the company of those I love most, I would spend the days hiking, dancing, swimming in mountain lakes, eating amazing meals and drinking the wine we were “saving for a special occasion.”
Sounds like my kinda day!
Question 2:- When it comes to writing what are the excuses you use not to sit down and write.
That sink full of dishes is staring me in the face. The old dog needs her medications. I’d better run some laundry. I’m suddenly starving. I need more caffeine. What about all those return texts and phone calls I need to make for various family members’ appointments etc.? I’m hungry AGAIN. Did I ever buy my father-in-law’s birthday present? This coffee isn’t hot enough. The 6-month-old dog is chewing up (fill in the blank) and barking like a maniac. There’s a conga line of ants coming under the door. Wait a minute, hold everything: I’m still hungry.
Me Too! Writing is hungry work.
Question 3:- What teacher inspired you a):-laugh in the face of adversity, B) hide in the face of adversity c) or just how to spell it properly?
I hated middle school because we had to move to Germany for two years. I thought I was missing out on the best two years of my life in California. But it turns out that middle school is never the best two years of anyone’s life, anywhere. During the horrible ordeal of being stuck in the middle of Europe where I was forced to travel widely and visit castles and museums on a regular basis, I had a teacher in 8thgrade—we’ll call him Mr. Writer since I can’t remember his name—who taught me how to identify the protagonist, antagonist, and foil in short stories. Plus a lot of other important tips about analyzing literature. Then back in California for high school, I pulled out the bag of tricks bestowed upon me by Mr. Writer and was able to sail through all my English classes with ease.
Mr Writer, I would have loved one of them! And your right about middle school.
Question 4:- What school friend inspired A) you to something bad, b) do something good and, c) give up on the human race (momentarily)
When I met Nicole at 2 years old, even my wee toddler brain recognized a kindred spirit. She is one of the funniest humans I’ve ever met, and we spent many years joined at the hip getting in trouble, laughing until we cried, and navigating the stormy seas of childhood and adolescence as best we could.
Every child should have at least one "Nicole" friend.
Question 5:- Name three celebrities who get on your tits, wick or something similar?
This cracks me up because “get on your tits” was not familiar to me as an American—but now that I know what it means I’m definitely using it! I would have to say the Kardashians and any other reality TV “stars” who are famous only for spending money and getting into snarky onscreen conflicts.
I second you choice. And by the way 'get on your tits" should be used daily along with 'the dogs bollocks' to even things out.
Question 6:- Pick the perfect method for torturing people who interrupt you when you are talking.
Loudly singing a refrain from whichever 80s song is currently hogging headspace in my mind. ”Every Rose has its Thorn” by Guns n Roses for example.
Love it.
Question 7:- What is the most useless, waste of space advice you have been given?
Get a puppy as a companion for your aging dog.
Advice well worth giving to someone who "gets on your tits".
Question 8:- You’re God for a day what changes would you make to this planet of ours?
Obviously, no more dogs. Just kidding, I actually love dogs. Most of the time. Okay, seriously now, I would fix global warming, ensure that women hold 50% of every political office, corporate leadership position, etc., and end poverty forever. I would also impose strict gun control laws in every county that doesn’t yet have them, starting with the U.S.
Love your answer.
Question 9:- Ok now you are the devil for a day?
Everyone who is deliberately cruel to others—and every world leader who deliberately lies and misleads the public for his or her own personal gain—will have an extremely embarrassing thing happen to them in public each time they do something mean or deceitful. So embarrassing that passers-by will double over laughing and no one will ever take them seriously again. To kick off the fun, I will orchestrate pratfalls and bird poop incidents and the splitting of pant seams.
That is the dogs bollocks of an answer
10 What sort of comedy do you find not funny?
Anything sexist or racist or otherwise “-ist.”
Thank you Amy for your illuminating answers and I want to wish you luck with your new book Mira's Way.
And you can learn more about Amy at her website www.amymaroney.com
You can buy The Girl from Oto there as well.
Kerrie Noor Is A Comedy, Romance & Sci-Fi Author From Scotland. Explore her recent work on Amazon or contact her for more information.