Interview With Author Adrienne Morris
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve always been obsessed with American history (especially the Civil War/post-Civil War period), but rarely found fiction that really explored how ordinary people living in the North were affected on a multi-generational level by all the trauma of the war. I knew I wanted to write stories about characters with deep wounds mentally and sometimes physically and about the ways in which these wounds could be healed by seemingly small acts of friendship and kindness. My novels (all seven of them) are about family and friendship, but at times can be a little gritty since real life can be like that. I don’t gloss over controversial aspects of the time period but I also don’t demonize the people of the past. As always, history is more complicated than what we briefly learn about at school.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
By the Shores of Solon Pond is a fictionalized account of my cousin Waldo Potter’s life. After extensive research I felt compelled to write about this long forgotten young soldier who diligently sent his army pay home to his impoverished parents. It’s important for people to remember the sacrifices made by the people of the North to win the Civil War. So much has been written about (and glorified about the South). I wanted to even the scales a bit and bring new life to my cousin’s memory. The book is a poignant coming-of-age tale about family and heroism.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I never outline for my novels. The seeds of a story come to me in a flash of insight usually with a visual image in my head. After seven books I recognize these events as the “call” to start a new novel. I think artists and writers are nudged from the beyond to bring beauty and understanding into this world. I hope that’s what I do. I also write with a dip pen and blue/black ink. It gets me right into the time period I love to write about.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I really love classic literature so Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky and George Eliot come to mind. They write BIG, complex novels with great characters which is why I love them so much. I want to inhabit a world for as long as possible if I love the characters. I have a soft spot for orphan stories too, so I adore Huckleberry Finn. I read a lot of history as well–probably even more than fiction. The list would be too long to put here.
What are you working on now?
A series of short seasonal stories about Jane Shaw, a girl orphaned by the war who lives with her grandparents. A young veteran comes to town on Christmas and after saving Jane from drowning becomes an important person in all of their lives–especially Jane’s.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve tried a bunch of different ones but always come back here because of the professionalism and the ease.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Go easy on yourself while working on a first draft. It’s really okay if it isn’t any good. You can change things in the edits. Also, for any older writers, it’s never too late to gift the world with your perspective. When I start to worry about readers too much, I remind myself that if I discovered my great-great grandmother’s unpublished book, I’d treasure it. Don’t worry so much about outcomes. Just give yourself permission to create. If it’s on your mind, then you are meant to create it however it turns out.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Write the book that you want to read.
What are you reading now?
Dostoyevsky’s Demons. It’s very intense.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to do more organic outreach. Sharing my novels online is fun, but there’s nothing like meeting people in person.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I’d bring my own books. The characters are like family to me.
Author Websites and Profiles
Adrienne Morris Amazon Profile
Adrienne Morris’s Social Media Links
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