Smitten by Stories: Falling in Love with Writing

Trespassers and Other Stories will be published in March 2025.

In his essay for Creative Nonfiction Magazine, the late Brian Doyle captures the joy of the writing process:    

"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 observation on writing and joy when my publisher invited me to write the story behind the stories. How and why had I written my fifth book, “Trespassers?”

Due out on March 5, 2025, Trespassers & Other Stories is a collection of transatlantic short fiction set in coastal Massachusetts and my native Ireland. Nearly all the stories feature women, .Whether they’re ages range from 16 to 76, all of these women are or feel displaced and they must face off with their own misfit status. The book is available for pre-order now.

How?

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

I’m not a linear writer. Or drafter. Or editor. But as I muddled through each draft of these stories, as I did my edits and re-edits, I did have a daily process. Mind you, I didn’t always follow that process, but most important: I enjoyed the “pitter of pencils and the scribble and scrawl of pens.” Haphazard as it sometimes appeared, I knew this: The process had to be just as joyful as the end product or having a published book on the shelf. Otherwise, why bother?

Why?

That “why” question sent me down a long and twisty road to locate the inspiration for this story collection or what the dickens led me to writing and storytelling in the first place.

I asked myself: “When and where did you get smitten by stories?”

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

Here’s an excerpt from what I wrote for my publisher:

“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 and, of course, people.

Back then, I wasn’t old enough to understand how these 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 flow or the draft keeps stalling, your work takes you on your own “big, happy dance.”

Meanwhile, enjoy my complete interview (below) about the how and why of “Trespassers” at my publisher’s website.