"Lucky Brilliant is a smart, sensitive teenager who must deal not only with the loss of her father but also the subsequent mysteries that are revealed about him. With her mother coping in solitude, a village of friends and neighbors help Lucky through the troubles that seem to arrive in waves. At times charming, at times serious, and even with a bit of fortune-telling, Lucky Brilliant is a compelling read." Welcome to the blog our Writer of the Week, Maureen Sherbondy.
Maureen Sherbondy is one of those poets and writers that stand out and are in a true league of their own. The author of poetry books such as Eulogy for an Imperfect Man, Beyond Fairy Tales, and The Art of Departure, Maureen Sherbondy's love of words does not go unnoticed by her readers, followers, and friends. Even I recall reading Beyond Fairy Tales fresh out of college and working on my Masters's degree.
Although not originally from North Carolina it is where Sherbondy is calling home these days, living in Durham, best known for being the home of Duke University. However, where she grew up in New Jersey has three claims to fame. "The town I grew up in (Metuchen) has three claims to fame: a. David Copperfield grew up there b. John Ciardi lived there c. Robert Hegyes of Welcome Back, Kotter grew up there."
At fifty-six-years-old Sherbondy started writing when she was just eight, "I like to make things up. I have always been an avid reader and writer. My Opa saw patients during the day and wrote at night. He was a good role model." She also enjoys writing in some very unique places, "At coffee shops, on long lines, at red lights."
When asked what inspired her latest work titled Lucky Brillant she shared with us, "The characters began talking to me. I saw scenes in my head," and admitted it took several years before she published the story.
When we caught up with her Maureen was reading, "No One Writes to the Colonel by Gabriel Marquez and a book about John Ashbery’s work (Parallel Movement of the Hands). I am also reading various poetry books." Short stories and poetry are two of her go-to genres.
Because we know all writers have a favorite quote, we were compelled to ask Maureen what hers was to which she shared, "Wherever there is water there is someone drowning" by Robert Bly." When we inquired if Maureen belonged to a writing group she stated, "I belong to a poetry group and another group (female writers—we discuss writing and talk about our current projects) Yes, I have been helped immensely by the support of all of my writing groups."
When she is not busy writing Maureen Sherbondy is most often thinking about it or enjoying a good concert in her downtime saying she enjoys to, "walk, think about character development, go to rock shows, take photos of beautiful things, dance."
If you loved Lucky Brillant or have read Maureen's other works you will be pleased to learn she just finished another poetry collection and a flash fiction collection and admitted to the blog that she has also "started a new Young Adult book," and is planning for it to also be a stand-alone.
When we asked what advice she could share with writers who are looking to publish, Maureen Sherbondy offered the following, "Persistence. Don’t give up. Learn your craft. Revise, revise, revise. Read books by other writers."
Follow author and poet Maureen Sherbondy on social media, or visit her website for more information about her, her poetry, and Lucky Brillant. Tune into Writing Corner Wednesday, September 1st to catch our interview with Maureen at 6 p.m. EST.
Author Bio
Maureen Sherbondy’s most recent books are Lucky Brilliant and Dancing with Dali. She has published a short story collection and nine other poetry collections. Her work has appeared in Calyx, The Stone Canoe, Roanoke Review, Fiction Southeast, Prelude, and many other journals. Her work has also been anthologized. Website: www.maureensherbondy.com
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