Being Mary Ro
In the late nineteenth century,
after disease and circumstance have left her alone in the world, a woman believes
she is predestined to spinsterhood in her small community in Newfoundland. When
a series of dramatic events brings a strange man to her door, Mary emerges from
the comfortable isolation that she knows to follow her dreams in Boston. Those
desires do not come without sacrifice and hard choices. When her past comes
back to haunt her, Mary must decide whether there is room for both her
aspirations and her heart—or if she must surrender one to have the other.
Recently we spoke with author Ida Linehan Young about her latest novel, Being Mary Ro.
When and why did you want to be a writer?
The desire to write
has always been with me. I remember writing poems and short stories in
elementary school and I enjoyed it. I had often thought about writing my first
book but always believed that I wasn’t good enough to be an author, that I
didn’t have an extensive nor flowery vocab which I felt would be required. Then
one day I saw an episode of Land and Sea where a town on the Burin Peninsula
was featured and a group of men who had been in a fiery bus crash in Northern
Saskatchewan. These men who survived had never talked about the crash and were
still haunted by it. I had volunteered at the Atlantic Burn Camp a few years
previous to that and had come to learn that it was important to talk about
these things. My daughter had also been doing research on our family tree and
she said, “Mom if you died tomorrow, there are five
headstones in the graveyard of our uncles and aunt, and we have no idea about
them.” So that’s what really started me in the process of writing my first
book.
Are they the same reasons you do it today?
No, the first book
was all about healing. My subsequent novel was for the love of writing. I found
I enjoyed putting word to paper and that I was good enough. Writing is like a
comfort food for me.
How have your grown as a writer over that time?
Yes, I think I have.
I participated in a WANL (Writer’s Alliance of Newfoundland) program where I
had my work reviewed and feedback. I took that to heart and incorporated it
into my writing.
What inspired you to write Being
Mary Ro?
I enjoyed the writing
process. I had often heard my father talk about a family tragedy that also
happened in our community and within his lifetime. I wanted to pay tribute to
that family and that sparked the idea for Being Mary Ro.
What was the most challenging aspect of the process?
Being historically
correct. I am a stickler for detail and I wanted to make sure that what I was
writing was true to the period. I did lots of internet research and visited
some historical sites.
What was the most rewarding part of the experience?
The most rewarding
part was two-fold. First was getting it done and looking at this manuscript and
thinking “I did it.”. Secondly was really enjoying the story. I liked what I
wrote. And If I didn’t, I had the power to change it.
What did you learn during the process?
When I had the first
iteration done, I went to WANL. My feedback was that the novel was good but
that I was too nice, and things were too neat. So, I went back to the story and
threw some wrenches in it and made it messier and more like real life.
How much research was involved?
There was quite a bit
of research involved. I spoke to some seniors about what life was like before
electricity to give me a feel for it. I spent a lot of time on the internet. I
visited Commissariat House, Newman Wine Vaults, other historic places and sites. I
did some reading from that period as well.
How did you feel when the book was
completed?
It was a very
satisfying experience. I was thrilled with the story. I liked the characters. I
liked the whole process. It was very fulfilling.
What has the response been like so far from those that have read it?
I have had very
positive response. So far those who have read it, have loved it. Some said they
felt like they were actually living in that time. Others said they thought of
Mary as their sister or their friend. They were cheering for her and sad for
her and wanted the best for her.
What makes a good book?
Everybody is
different here. But for me a good book grabs you from the beginning and makes
you want to know how it turned out but not by looking at the ending, but by
accompanying the characters on their journey.
Is your creative process more 'inspirational' or 'perspirational'?
I think I’m a bit of
both but that I lean towards inspirational. I want readers to take something
from the book. I want them to feel good at the end.
What are your thoughts on Newfoundland literature today?
There are so many
great Newfoundland books and Newfoundland authors. I think its marvelous. I
know some people buy books just because a Newfoundlander wrote it or its about
our province. I want people to buy mine because of those things, but because
they like the story as well.
What's next on your creative agenda?
I am in love with
writing. I believe I will continue for as long as it’s not a job but an
enjoyment. I think that will be for a long time. I am looking forward at least
two more stories, then who knows after that.
