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A Conversation with Author, Meg Mathisen ~
What inspired you to write MUDDIED?
When I first began writing MUDDIED my inspiration was merely to put words on the page and create narrative, but as my writing evolved parallels with my main character, Greta, and myself kept forming… not actual events but more so emotional states of being. What I was realizing in my character and myself was that I had the ability to change my world and surround myself with like-minded people by making better choices and breaking familiar bad habits that continually took me to the same dark places in life.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I do. I write in first person-present tense. I often like to break the rules but mostly I write to connect with a generation that is fast paced and technology-driven while staying true to my own unique style and art form.
How did your style evolve?
I was in a class with Hubert Selby, Jr., the author of Last Exit to Brooklyn and Requiem for a Dream. Cubby, as he always liked to be called, was very supportive of individual writing styles and encouraged students to be true to themselves. In his class I met three other artists – Dya Englert, Adam Rodin and Shannon Mullins – we created a writing group and from there we met religiously critiqueing one another’s work and offering support. We all felt it was important to keep the spirit of Cubby alive.
How did you come up with the title?
It was through great frustration and determination that I came up with the title, MUDDIED. I was at the point where my story was complete and I was having friends read my manuscript to give me notes, so it was time to get serious about the title and cover. Every title I came up a title it seemed to be cliche; either a location or character in the narrative. So one night after way too many drinks and no good answers, I sat in bed disgruntled and informed my husband, Greg, that we were not going to go to sleep until I had my title. The goal was to describe what was going on in Greta's inner self, as well as her external world. Greg is very creative so with his help we ultimately arrived at MUDDIED.
Did you have a message in mind when writing your novel?
I had various messages in mind as the narrative evolved. One was - If you want to change your world you have to change yourself and your environment first. Another one was - No one will believe in you until you believe in yourself. I felt like those were cliche so the one I ended up using is - no matter how hard you try to run from your demons, eventually you will have to face them; it's just a matter of when.
What books and authors have influenced your writing?
Hubert Selby, Jr., of course, inspired me greatly. I really love his book, Waiting Period, which I believe is the last one he wrote and had published. Oddly, it has the lowest reviews on Amazon of any of his books but I really connected with it. The main character is pretty twisted which I tend to like if there’s some redeeming reason for it. Others are Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, James Frey’s A Million Little Pieces, Janet Fitch’s White Oleander, and Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild. I could go on but the list would be quite long.
A Conversation with Author, Meg Mathisen ~
What inspired you to write MUDDIED?
When I first began writing MUDDIED my inspiration was merely to put words on the page and create narrative, but as my writing evolved parallels with my main character, Greta, and myself kept forming… not actual events but more so emotional states of being. What I was realizing in my character and myself was that I had the ability to change my world and surround myself with like-minded people by making better choices and breaking familiar bad habits that continually took me to the same dark places in life.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I do. I write in first person-present tense. I often like to break the rules but mostly I write to connect with a generation that is fast paced and technology-driven while staying true to my own unique style and art form.
How did your style evolve?
I was in a class with Hubert Selby, Jr., the author of Last Exit to Brooklyn and Requiem for a Dream. Cubby, as he always liked to be called, was very supportive of individual writing styles and encouraged students to be true to themselves. In his class I met three other artists – Dya Englert, Adam Rodin and Shannon Mullins – we created a writing group and from there we met religiously critiqueing one another’s work and offering support. We all felt it was important to keep the spirit of Cubby alive.
How did you come up with the title?
It was through great frustration and determination that I came up with the title, MUDDIED. I was at the point where my story was complete and I was having friends read my manuscript to give me notes, so it was time to get serious about the title and cover. Every title I came up a title it seemed to be cliche; either a location or character in the narrative. So one night after way too many drinks and no good answers, I sat in bed disgruntled and informed my husband, Greg, that we were not going to go to sleep until I had my title. The goal was to describe what was going on in Greta's inner self, as well as her external world. Greg is very creative so with his help we ultimately arrived at MUDDIED.
Did you have a message in mind when writing your novel?
I had various messages in mind as the narrative evolved. One was - If you want to change your world you have to change yourself and your environment first. Another one was - No one will believe in you until you believe in yourself. I felt like those were cliche so the one I ended up using is - no matter how hard you try to run from your demons, eventually you will have to face them; it's just a matter of when.
What books and authors have influenced your writing?
Hubert Selby, Jr., of course, inspired me greatly. I really love his book, Waiting Period, which I believe is the last one he wrote and had published. Oddly, it has the lowest reviews on Amazon of any of his books but I really connected with it. The main character is pretty twisted which I tend to like if there’s some redeeming reason for it. Others are Cormac McCarthy’s The Road, James Frey’s A Million Little Pieces, Janet Fitch’s White Oleander, and Jon Krakauer’s Into the Wild. I could go on but the list would be quite long.
2012 FEATURED BOOK FOR FEBRUARY ~
MUDDIED captures the excitement, fear and determination of a young hero often falling backwards in an effort to move toward a more evolved life. It is the journey of the worst and best a person can be when challenged by one's own self-destructive habits. This heart-wrenching tale is an honest and humorous read as each page reaches out and propels you to turn to the next.
At the age of twenty-eight, Greta Mills leans heavily on her closest companion - stashed away bottles of vodka, hidden in every nook of her daily existence. Traumatized by her hand in the death of a young boy seventeen years prior, Greta struggles to change her cycle of never-ending defeat. Through her desperation and hard lessons comes a redeeming and surprising journey of self-discovery and inner-strength as she forges to come to terms with her past trauma and present-day alcoholism.
REVIEWS:
"This is a poswerhouse of a book, expertly plotted and deftly realized, with an ending that is stunning and deeply moving. It is filled with surprise and a narrative drive that will take your breath away. This is an important book. Read it!"
DAVID SCOTT MILTON, author of Paradise Road, Kabbalah and Iron City
"Mathisen uses experimental form and delivers a powerful story... the journey is a pager turner."
CHRISTOPHER MEEKS, author of Love At Absolute Zero
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Meg Mathisen received her masters in writing from the University of Southern California where she studied fiction, screenwriting, stage writing and non-fiction with renowned writers; Hubert Selby, Jr., Janet Fitch, Marc Norman, Kenneth Turan, David Scott Milton, Christopher Meeks, and many other outstanding artists. She lives with her husband in the Los Angeles area where she also works as a television writer-producer. She is writing her second book; a series of humorous essays.
SHOP FOR MUDDIED:
MUDDIED is presently available in paperback at Barnes & Noble and Amazon online. It will be available on e-book beginning February 20, 2012.
MUDDIED captures the excitement, fear and determination of a young hero often falling backwards in an effort to move toward a more evolved life. It is the journey of the worst and best a person can be when challenged by one's own self-destructive habits. This heart-wrenching tale is an honest and humorous read as each page reaches out and propels you to turn to the next.
At the age of twenty-eight, Greta Mills leans heavily on her closest companion - stashed away bottles of vodka, hidden in every nook of her daily existence. Traumatized by her hand in the death of a young boy seventeen years prior, Greta struggles to change her cycle of never-ending defeat. Through her desperation and hard lessons comes a redeeming and surprising journey of self-discovery and inner-strength as she forges to come to terms with her past trauma and present-day alcoholism.
REVIEWS:
"This is a poswerhouse of a book, expertly plotted and deftly realized, with an ending that is stunning and deeply moving. It is filled with surprise and a narrative drive that will take your breath away. This is an important book. Read it!"
DAVID SCOTT MILTON, author of Paradise Road, Kabbalah and Iron City
"Mathisen uses experimental form and delivers a powerful story... the journey is a pager turner."
CHRISTOPHER MEEKS, author of Love At Absolute Zero
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Meg Mathisen received her masters in writing from the University of Southern California where she studied fiction, screenwriting, stage writing and non-fiction with renowned writers; Hubert Selby, Jr., Janet Fitch, Marc Norman, Kenneth Turan, David Scott Milton, Christopher Meeks, and many other outstanding artists. She lives with her husband in the Los Angeles area where she also works as a television writer-producer. She is writing her second book; a series of humorous essays.
SHOP FOR MUDDIED:
MUDDIED is presently available in paperback at Barnes & Noble and Amazon online. It will be available on e-book beginning February 20, 2012.
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