Ask the Author: Carolyn Moncel
Answered Questions (8)
Carolyn Moncel
I started writing before I could spell. :) I can remember writing my first story at age 5. My brothers helped me to spell the words I wanted to use. I was inspired to write because I come from a family of story tellers. My mother once told me that my 2x great grandmother was over 100 years old when she died. But, what my mother remembered most about her, was her ability to tell stories — especially ghost stories! So I’be always been inspired by my family.
Carolyn Moncel
I’m obsessed with genealogy. For the last 13 years, I’ve been working on numerous lines of my family tree. There are many stories of family members who have disappeared never to be heard from again. However, the story that practically haunts me is that of my maternal 3x great grandmother. She was born into slavery. In 1859 she drowned 4 of her 5 children as well as herself. The one child who serviced was my my 2x great grandfather, and he went on to have 14 children of his own. Uncovering Freedman’s records allowed me to find my grandmother’s name. It was Flora. What I long to do is retrace her life and tell her story.
Carolyn Moncel
Write your truth whatever it is. I think it's true that most writers create from either a place of fascination or fear. In the space of those two places is truth. So tell it even it people disagree, even if it's unpopular, even if it's a vast departure from previous work.
Carolyn Moncel
I don't necessarily dream of becoming a New York Times bestseller, but I would like to be known and respected by peers in the genre of my choice. I am thinking of author Alice Munro for example. No one denies that she is an outstanding short story writer and if I earned half the recognition that she has garnered in her career, I would be thrilled yet humbled.
Carolyn Moncel
Sometimes, but I'm most inspired by just observing the world around me. Dreams have turned into stories. However, one of my favorite stories was inspired by listening to a married couple fight in a cafe. :)
Carolyn Moncel
I started working on my latest short story, "The Fortunate One," about 18 months ago. I started writing the story because I was intrigued with the idea of what the US military means by "leaving no man behind" and if there were ever circumstances for which this statement became more complicated. Enter the country's first female president, a hostage situation, rescue plans, and how circumstances change based on who this particular military hostage happens to be. However, this isn't solely a political story, or a war and military story. It's a human story. It's a mother's story. The decisions that must be made are difficult no matter who happens to be inhabiting the White House.
Carolyn Moncel
Currently, I am working on my first novel. It's a young adult or new adult story involving a young woman who returns to Paris to find her father, a man she hasn't seen since moving back ot the US with her mother. In the process, lots of secrets are uncovered and well, there's a love storyl. How could there not be a love story between two beautiful young people enjoying a summer in Paris?
Carolyn Moncel
Whenever I experience writer's block, I go for a walk. Ideas in general have always come to me while walking, so it's the best time to get unstuck. This trick worked for me even during my time working in PR and developing campaigns. However, one time while living in Paris, I had a severe case of writer's block. There was nothing chic about my outfit on that snowy day. Dressed in a pair of ratty jogging pants, running shoes, a shapeless hat and my husband's oversized pea coat, I was walking down the street with a huge yet gentle beauceron, muttering something unintelligible in English. I cannot tell you how many curious stares I received from people passing by but by the time I returned home, I was no longer stuck.
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