Ask the Author: Mary Hogan
Answered Questions (12)
Mary Hogan
Great question! Every since I read "The Shipping News" years ago, I've wanted to go to Newfoundland. What I'd do there is probably...freeze. :)
Mary Hogan
I'm dying to get to Ann Patchett's COMMONWEALTH. And I have a stack of friend's books that are calling my name!
Mary Hogan
Bonjour, Romanne. I'm SO sorry it's taken me this long to respond. I've been on book tour. I'm thrilled that you chose PRETTY FACE for your school project.
I definitely was a "Hayley" when I was a teen. I grew up in Southern California where everyone was tan and thin and perfect...except me. Or so I thought. It felt awful to feel not good enough. Especially so close to Hollywood where EVERYONE is perfect. Once I grew up and experienced other parts of America and the world, I saw that I wasn't so bad after all. In fact, I was just fine. A message I would love ALL girls to receive. You are perfectly fine as you ARE!!
Writing for teens is wonderful because so many experiences are FIRSTS: first love, first heartbreak, first true taste of life. But, the best part about writing for teens is hearing from young people like you. Truly! Knowing that one of my books spoke to someone makes my heart happy.
Merci for writing me!!
I definitely was a "Hayley" when I was a teen. I grew up in Southern California where everyone was tan and thin and perfect...except me. Or so I thought. It felt awful to feel not good enough. Especially so close to Hollywood where EVERYONE is perfect. Once I grew up and experienced other parts of America and the world, I saw that I wasn't so bad after all. In fact, I was just fine. A message I would love ALL girls to receive. You are perfectly fine as you ARE!!
Writing for teens is wonderful because so many experiences are FIRSTS: first love, first heartbreak, first true taste of life. But, the best part about writing for teens is hearing from young people like you. Truly! Knowing that one of my books spoke to someone makes my heart happy.
Merci for writing me!!
Mary Hogan
Every mystery in life is fodder for fiction!
Mary Hogan
Probably because I read about them when I was an impressionable youth, I'd have to say Gabriel and Bathsheba in FAR FROM THE MADDING CROWD. Even the setting is romantic...the rugged English countryside. Gabriel is a shepherd; Bathsheba is a beautiful, headstrong woman who believes he is beneath her. Alas, the heart wants what the heart wants. (There's a handsome soldier in there, too, as I recall.) I read this Thomas Hardy novel in middle school (!) and never forgot it. The original movie is scrumptious, too. Alan Bates, Julie Christie, Terrance Stamp. Read the novel first (always), then cuddle up with Netflix and see Hardy's characters come alive. P.S. I think there was a remake, but how can you remake Alan Bates, Julie Christie and Terrance Stamp? Mon dieu!
Mary Hogan
Dana, what a nice holiday gift to receive this note from you! Isn't Johnstown an amazing story? I was hooked the moment I heard about it. So heartbreaking, and so avoidable. If you can, visit Johnstown in fall. The Alleghenies are truly spectacular. Johnstown itself is an interesting working class town. Modern and old. Somewhat eerie.
That whole area has been struck by tragedy. Did you know that United Flight 93, the plane that crashed in Shanksville, PA on 9/11, went down only a few miles from Johnstown? The memorial is very moving. In that whole area, you can feel the energy of the brave souls who perished. (I know this sounds very airy-fairy, but you can!) And you will love David McCullough's detailed book. It's where I began my research and I owe a huge debt to his incredible skill as an historian and writer.
In answer to your Q, the novel I'm writing now is a family story, more in line with TWO SISTERS than THE WOMAN IN THE PHOTO. Though I love, love, LOVE the historical fiction genre, a great story like Johnstown has to find you. So much immersion happens, you really have to be almost kidnapped by the story. Unable to NOT write it, you know? If such a story every comes my way again, I will pounce on it. In the meantime, I hope that you like my other novels, too!
Happy Holidays!!
All best,
Mary
That whole area has been struck by tragedy. Did you know that United Flight 93, the plane that crashed in Shanksville, PA on 9/11, went down only a few miles from Johnstown? The memorial is very moving. In that whole area, you can feel the energy of the brave souls who perished. (I know this sounds very airy-fairy, but you can!) And you will love David McCullough's detailed book. It's where I began my research and I owe a huge debt to his incredible skill as an historian and writer.
In answer to your Q, the novel I'm writing now is a family story, more in line with TWO SISTERS than THE WOMAN IN THE PHOTO. Though I love, love, LOVE the historical fiction genre, a great story like Johnstown has to find you. So much immersion happens, you really have to be almost kidnapped by the story. Unable to NOT write it, you know? If such a story every comes my way again, I will pounce on it. In the meantime, I hope that you like my other novels, too!
Happy Holidays!!
All best,
Mary
Mary Hogan
Thank you, Char! I, too, love reading historical fiction. This is my first time writing one, though. Such an exciting challenge. This story--the incredible real event at my book's core--grabbed me by the throat and would not let go. For 24 years! That's how long I have tried to find the time to write this book. There is such a sense of injustice about what happened in Johnstown. I think that's probably what hooked me the most. Being the middle child of five kids, I have a hyper-developed sense of fairness. Mom, btw, loved my little brother most. :)
Mary Hogan
Hi Laurie. Incredibly, I've met SO many people from Johnstown since my novel came out June 14. Who knew? The story is really centered on the 1889 flood...the biggie. But I was stunned to find out about the others. What crazy geography it is there. Though, I must say, I fell in love with the area. The Alleghenies are gorgeous, and there is something hauntingly beautiful about Johnstown today. So much history. I feel fortunate to have been able to tell the story. It's about CLASS as much as it is about the catastrophe. That darn club!! Aargh. I love that my book is reopening the discussion.
Mary Hogan
Hi Gisele! Hi fellow author/Okie!
I WISH I could write about Oklahoma. Sadly, my parents moved me away while I was still a kid. I even lost my accent. Sigh. Though I love, love, love living in New York, I DO wish I knew another venue as well. I'm sure readers tire of the same location.
My latest book, an historical novel called THE WOMAN IN THE PHOTO will be published this summer. I've begun a new novel that I'm not ready to talk about yet. :) What are you working on? Do tell!
I WISH I could write about Oklahoma. Sadly, my parents moved me away while I was still a kid. I even lost my accent. Sigh. Though I love, love, love living in New York, I DO wish I knew another venue as well. I'm sure readers tire of the same location.
My latest book, an historical novel called THE WOMAN IN THE PHOTO will be published this summer. I've begun a new novel that I'm not ready to talk about yet. :) What are you working on? Do tell!
Mary Hogan
I'm writing an historical novel. Love, love, love it. But, man, what work! Every detail has to be right!!! The shoes, hair, underwear. Stay tuned...more posts as I get further into history.
Mary Hogan
I was once given the best advice I ever heard on how to eliminate writer's block: write BADLY. Sit down and write sentences you would be too embarrassed to read aloud. Because, writer's block is really perfectionism run amok. "If I can't write perfectly, I can't write at all!"
The truth is: even good writers write badly sometimes. They just fix it before anyone reads it. Thank goodness for computers!! Can you imagine all the wasted paper with typewriters?!
The truth is: even good writers write badly sometimes. They just fix it before anyone reads it. Thank goodness for computers!! Can you imagine all the wasted paper with typewriters?!
Mary Hogan
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