Tell us about what inspired The Moroccan Daughter.
In the late 90’s I crossed the Strait of Gibraltar for a brief day trip to Tangiers, Morocco. My curiosity was piqued by this mystical country, and knew that I had to return. When I revisited Morocco in 2009, it didn’t disappoint. I was hooked, having visions of myself living with a nomadic tribe in the Sahara. It was when I first walked through the blue gates of the ancient medina of Fés that I knew someday I would set a book there. But it’s not always that easy. I knew that Fès would make a unique backdrop for a story, but I didn’t know exactly what that story would be. I waited and waited for inspiration. Fast forward nine years, when I received a call from a friend who knew of my desire to write a book in Morocco. She told me I needed to meet her niece, a Moroccan-born woman now living in the United States, married to an American man. She apparently had many stories to share. I could not let this opportunity pass me by, so I flew to New York City to meet her. I was instantly mesmerised, and could see a story beginning to form in my mind. She told me about what it was like growing up as a girl in Morocco, and talked about all the interesting family dynamics. One thing that blew me away was that her father was the director of a prison, and that she had actually lived on the grounds of a prison as a child. What sealed the deal for me happened later, when I stumbled across an article about the annual marriage festival held in the Atlas Mountains. That was it. I knew I had my story. I booked my trip and off I went.
Does the creative process get easier for you with each book?
I’m not sure I would say it gets easier. Each book is so different, and it comes down to the inspiration for the story. Sometimes the seed of a story is so rich and full that it feels like the story wants to write itself. Other times I feel like I’m fighting with the story, and it takes a little more effort before I reach that aha moment. All my books are located in very exotic locations. Being present in those locations, following my characters’ footsteps, is vital for the creative process.
What is something that’s influenced you as a writer?
I have a few things that have influenced me. Being from a family of three generations of hairdressers and spending most of my life in beauty salons surrounded by eccentric, creative women was one of my biggest influences. Top that off with 40 years with a revolving chair of clients, each one telling me all their secrets and stories.
For as long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated with other cultures, and can never get enough. I love to travel, and find it very easy to immerse myself in nearly all cultures—the farther off the beaten path, the better for me. I have learned so much from all my travels.
Living in Afghanistan, the Bahamas, and Mexico has been a massive influence on my writing.
If you could give one piece of advice to aspiring writers, what would it be?
Write the book that is in your soul. Don’t chase the money, don’t chase the publishers. Just write the book, and the rest will fall in place.
What’s your daily writing routine like and what are you working on at the moment?
I am a natural multi-tasker. I own a family-run spa in Mazatlán, Mexico, where I still do all the in-house training for the staff. I have seven grandchildren, four that are Zoom schooling in my house during the pandemic. So let’s say my daily writing routine has fallen out the window, for now.
When things were a bit more normal (and using the word normal with my life is a big stretch), I would write in the morning and then head off to the spa. But now with a house full of kids, I write mostly in the evenings. Good thing I am a night person. After everyone is gone, I enjoy sitting in my living room, my front door wide open, allowing the street sounds to transport me to another place and time.
Right now, I am getting ready for The Moroccan Daughter to hit the shelves, and preparing for my Zoom book tour that starts in a few days. I am thinking about the next book, waiting for the pandemic to end so I can book my travel to the next location.
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