Smitten by Stories: Where Writing Begins

Trespassers and Other Stories will be published in March 2025.

In his essay for Creative Nonfiction Magazine, the late Brian Doyle writes:     

"One of the things that we do not talk about when we talk about writing is the sound and scent and sensuality of it, the scratching and hammering and tapping, the pitter of pencils and the scribble and scrawl of pens…"

Late last year, I was reminded of Doyle’s wise commentary when my publisher invited me to write the story behind my soon-to-be-published collection of short stories.

Launching on March 8, 2025, Trespassers & Other Stories is a collection of transatlantic fiction set in coastal Massachusetts and my native Ireland. Nearly all these tales feature women, whose ages range from 16 to 76. While each woman faces off with her own set of life challenges, all of them feel displaced. So ultimately, this book is about how and if we manage to find our real or existential home.

How?

In response to my publisher’s story-origin question, the “how” part was easy.

I’m not a linear writer. Or drafter. Or editor. But as I wrote and edited and re-edited these fictional stories, I did have a daily process. I didn’t always follow that process, but every day, I loved the “pitter of pencils and the scribble and scrawl of pens.” And I knew this: The entire process had to be just as joyful as the end product or having a published book on the shelf.

Otherwise, why bother?

Why?

The “why” part of the book’s origin story sent me down a long and twisty road to locate the inspiration for all my writing and, more recently, this story collection. When did this writing and storytelling bug first bite?

Origin Story: From an Irish Farm to a Writing Desk in Massachusetts

Here’s an excerpt from what I came up with:

“One of my earliest childhood memories is of my live-in grandfather telling me one of his self-spun yarns—complete with the usual cast of talking dogs, goats, witches, hens, rabbits and, of course, people.

In these stories, Granda was never the narrator. Instead, he let one of his four-legged or two-legged characters narrate—usually in a chirpy or growly or cackling-witch voice.

Back then, I wasn’t old enough to understand what a gift I was getting. Or how these oral stories were more—much more--than a trifecta of plot, characters and resolution. As a kid, I didn't see or hear how, in each one of my Granda’s tales, the teller, narrator, setting, dialog and characters were all engaged in a big, happy dance.”

As a writer, I hope that, even on those days when the words won’t come or the draft keeps stalling, your work engages you in your own “big, happy dance.” And, most important, that you really enjoy the process or “the sound and scent and sensuality of it (writing).”

Meanwhile, enjoy my complete interview (below) at my publisher’s website on the how and why of “Trespassers and Other Stories.” The book is available for pre-order now.