Browbeaten by a Jungian analyst into believing she was a writer, Donna Morrissey began her literary career at the age of 32 after working a variety of jobs including: waitressing, working as a cook at an oil rig camp, bartending and providing respite care.
Today, she is the award-winning author of three works of literary fiction:
Kit's Law,
Downhill Chance, and
Sylvanus Now — as well as
Clothesline Patch, which garnered her a Gemini Award.
Donna has agreed to take time away from her fourth novel to answer some questions about her life and her road to publication.
The Interview
You’ve been very open about flunking out of high school and leading a very non-conventional working life – earning a living by cooking for an oil rig camp, bartending, working at a fish plant and rescuing hookers, among other jobs. What was it that school didn’t offer you and what were the twists of fate that led you to various jobs?
It’s not that school had nothing to offer me, I had nothing to offer it. Simply wanted to be outside, roaming the countryside, and having fun. Which I did. Work was something I picked up along the way to pay for the next train trip or bus ride - I can’t remember a job I wasn’t fired from... oops, should I have said that???I gotta ask: how did you rescue hookers?
Ahem, that’s a bit of a overstatement. There were ‘two’ young women that were friends of friends that needed help. I offered them a place to live, free rent for awhile, get away from abusive relationships. That was the extent of that career....When you were misdiagnosed as having fatal tetanus, your world changed. How and what happened next?
Well, I suffered post traumatic shock syndrome, went into hell for awhile, and decided to go to university, study psychology and see if there was a cure for this terrible, terrible thing. Which was amazing because even during the healthiest of times I didn’t have the courage or confidence to return to school. I always say fear is my greatest motivator. I didn’t find a cure for PSS, but I sure found lots of company....plus, having a label helped...up to that point I didn’t have a clue what I was dealing with....You returned to school earning a degree in social work and there discovered the source of that earlier, wrong diagnosis – generalized anxiety. Has this illness had an effect on your writing? Have you been able to overcome it?
I’m sure attending university opened many windows for me, and eventually, doors, I suppose. It started me on a learning curve that’s still moving up. We may be able to control what happens to us, but we can control how we deal with it. Our fate lies in there...how we respond to those curve balls life throws at us. I also discovered many different ways to deal with anxiety, post traumatic shock issues....Cognitive thinking, physical health, plus, SSRI’s are a wonder drug for people suffering this kind of condition.During all of this, you had two children. Did they travel with you or were you back in Newfoundland before they were born? Have either of them chosen writing as a career?
My son travelled the country with me when he was a toddler....he was great. I was more settled when my daughter arrived. Neither of them write, although they both have that energy that flows through the pen. Maybe someday ??You began your writing career by writing a letter a day at the insistence of a Jungian analyst who called you by name:
writer. How did these letters translate into short stories and then into plays?
I started by doing free association, just writing the first thing that popped into my mind, and never ending the writing session until an hour was up. Eventually I started with a family member, and poured out my heart onto the paper, and then one day I hit upon a metaphor and I was astounded. I’ve never stopped writing....that was the moment I felt the ‘awe’ thing with writing. I then wrote two short stories, two screen plays, and then the novels. Every day I am surprised that I am still able to do this sort of thing. It’s a very insecure world....never know if ‘its’ gonna be there today.I have thought that the Irish love-of-story has had a profound effect on the unique culture of Newfoundland. Do you agree with this and do you credit being a Newfoundlander with your ability to tell a tale?
I don’t know about that. I’m sure there are more story tellers out there than Newfoundlanders... what a dull world if that were the case. As wonderful as the island is, and its story tellers, I love equally reading about other cultures and places. And a story is unique to an individual, not a place. Place is where we cradle our stories, and most certainly place inspires writing for me, but - if George Eliott hadn’t lived in England, I believe she still would’ve had that amazing ability (she’s my hero). How did you hone your craft? Did you have mentors or participate in writers’ groups, or such?I had no groups or writing friends.
I simply sat and wrote. Every day. For as much time as I could afford. It probably would’ve been great having a writing group, people to inspire and encourage and teach. Lots of things I learned by trial and error....but yet, I think the most learning comes from the practise.When did you know you were good?
You’re very generous. I ponder that question with every sentence I write.Some writers write to a strict daily schedule of so many hours or so many words. Others write intensely for short periods of time. Do you have a writing schedule?
I am very strict. I start writing every day around seven. I never leave it - except to pace and moan - til noon. And then, perhaps another couple of hours later in the afternoon. If I’m not writing, then I’m reading. It is my work day.When you begin a new story, do you plan it out ahead of time or do you write it as it comes? How do you begin a new book? Would you describe your writing process?
There is no process. I don’t plan it out. I have a vague idea. I write from intuition. It is difficult, I never know where I am, where I’m going, if what I’m writing today will work. I simply choose a place relating to the ‘bit’ of a story that’s circling my mind, and start. My pattern, as I look back, is that I write this huge opening sentence. And then my story precedes it. I always have to be going back in time from the opening sentence. Two years down the road and I have two hundred pages preceding that opening sentence. It’s the darndest thing....Once you have a first draft, what comes next? Does it simmer for a bit before you look it over? Do you do a lot of editing?
My first draft is usually the finished draft, aside from a few touch ups or scene changes. I edit as I go...I hate my editing hand, it creates a lot of angst for me because I can’t move ahead quickly. Everything has to be perfect in order for me to move ahead. Which is very time consuming, given that most everything I write, I re write fifty times....Would you describe your path to publication?
I was very naive. After I finished Kit’s Law, I bundled up thirty pages of the story, wrote the greatest, most creative letter of introductory anybody (so they say) has ever read, and sent the package off to six or seven publishers. My plan was to aim for the biggest and settle for what I could get. I got replies from nearly all of them. They said after it was the letter of intro that got my ms read by so many editors. So, a good letter of intro....thirty pages from your ms....and lotsa luck. Lotsa lotsa luck, and remembering that no never means no....What are the realities of life for a Canadian author? (For example: Is it difficult to get published/to get an agent? Can a Canadian writer make a living at it? Is the writing community welcoming to new writers?)
I have been very blessed. According to my agent my path wasn’t a normal path for an emerging writer. My first novel was an instant best seller that gave me a privileged place with Penguin publishing. I have friends who are writers who cannot live off their sales. And they’re darn good writers. A very low number of writers make a living from their sales. It’s probably the poorest industry out there....the saying in the business is that it has very few assholes because you gotta be in for love not money....I would say the greatest perk is meeting so many people. Having people tell you they love your writing. Can there be anything greater than that??? Oh, yes, buying the book. That’s a great thing too....As you know, writing can be an isolating experience and many writers have little support or encouragement to keep at it. Can you offer any advice for writers just starting out?
Stick with it. Create a place and simply do it. If you got nothing on paper, you got nothing to work with. You gotta put words to paper. You’ve got to be disciplined. It’s the only way. And it’s hard. But, sooo gratifying when you ‘hit that metaphor’ for the day, or mine that gorgeous thought you didn’t know you had....and too, read. Read everything. Gotta put something in your head for something to come out.You are working on your next book. Any chance you’ll share the storyline with us?
Naw. It’s boring. I’m all mixed up with it. You’ll steal my storyline and beat me to the printing presses....When’s it due out.
Probably this coming spring. Or September. Man, am I in trouble....second piece of advice...never sign contracts you don’t have a prayer in hell of keepin....Is there anything you’d like to add?
That you flatter me with this attention. And you honour me. Thank you. Thank you very very much.Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. I know you’re working on a deadline and time is precious. I’ll be watching for the new book to hit the shelves.
If you want more,
here's a link to
Writer's Cafe for audio interviews with Donna about two of her books,
Downhill Chance and
Sylvanus Now. They are well worth the listen.
Hope you've enjoyed this!
Colleen
