by Mary | Jul 16, 2014 | Edgar Allan Poe, Natural History of a Novel, What I'm working on now., Writer Tech
The first book I didn’t write was about Jean-Louis Michel. The son of a French soldier and a Haitian slave, he was born in 1775 in what is now Haiti. In 1795, Toussaint Louverture and the black population of the island defeated the French army. Those of mixed...
by Mary | Jul 7, 2014 | Uncategorized
Reviewed for the Washington Post by Mary Doria Russell The worldwide success of the Harry Potter series has led to a great emphasis on Young Adult crossover novels in contemporary publishing. Wizards, werewolves, vampires and teen warriors have dominated sales for...
by Mary | Jun 19, 2014 | Edgar Allan Poe, EPITAPH, What I'm working on now., Writer Tech
I am officially between books. On average, it takes me three years to finish a novel. For 36 months running, I start every day the same way. Two cups of coffee, three newspapers. Into the office, hands on the keyboard. Okay, GO. Eventually, an insane drive for...
by Mary | Jun 13, 2014 | Uncategorized
1. CHOICES In her closet, descending wardrobes: 14 Petite, Medium, Small She has reached her goal weight on the Ovarian Cancer Diet Plan Proud to be lighter, at last, than the daughter who was slim in youth and toned in middle age. In her kitchen: A...
by Mary | Jun 9, 2014 | EPITAPH
Coming from Ecco (Harper/Collins) on March 3, 2015. Pre-orders will be available soon!
by Mary | May 6, 2014 | EPITAPH, The Cure For Anger, What I'm working on now., Writer Tech, WYATT
Some novelists start with an outline. For them, a book is like a sculpture that will be modeled in clay. In the beginning, there’s just a wire armature. They add and add and add until the story is complete and rounded. For others — and I am among them...
by Mary | Mar 17, 2014 | Uncategorized
We’ve been having some trouble with the website and this blog entry failed to post a couple of weeks ago. Let’s see if it works this time! Reviewed for the Washington Post by Mary Doria Russell (March 17, 2014). When Theodore Roosevelt left the White House...
by Mary | Mar 7, 2014 | THE SPARROW
The title of The Sparrow comes from Matthew 10:29. “Not even a sparrow can fall without your Father knowing it.” That text is often quoted to people in times of crisis. It’s meant to be comforting. God knows your troubles. God’s eye is on the...
by Mary | Mar 3, 2014 | EPITAPH, What I'm working on now., Writer Tech
Last night at the Oscars, Robert DeNiro said, “The mind of a writer can be a truly terrifying thing. Isolated, neurotic, caffeine-addled, crippled by procrastination and consumed by feelings of panic, self-loathing and soul-crushing inadequacy. And that’s on a good...
by Mary | Feb 6, 2014 | Uncategorized
This morning, my friend Susan Petrone posted this on Facebook: Financial advisers always say to “pay yourself first,” i.e., put something into your savings first and then pay your bills. I’m off one day a week and it’s supposed to be my writing...
