Meet our featured writer of the month…
Debra Brenegan
I live in two states – Wisconsin and Missouri. I teach in Missouri and hightail it to Wisconsin all the rest of the time to write.
How long have you been writing?
I wrote my first story when I was 11 and inflicted it upon my relatives in the guise of “a gift.” I am grateful, still, for their graciousness. I majored in journalism as an undergrad, so have been writing, in some form, for years. I went on to get a Master’s and a Ph.D. in creative writing after my writing preferences switched from nonfiction to fiction and poetry.
What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment as a writer?
It was such a thrill to get my first short story published. I think that is when I felt utterly validated as a fiction writer. But my greatest feeling of accomplishment occurs when I find out that someone connected, in some way, with one of my works. I feel useful then, and happy that my work has helped someone with something.
What are you currently working on?
I’m doing research for a historical novel that will serve as a prequel to The Scarlet Letter. It’ll cover the years leading up to Hester’s famous standing on the scaffold – from Hester’s perspective.
Why do you write?
I write because I need to. I know many writers say this, but it is really true. A good day for me involves the spectrum of writing in some way – whether it is teaching writing, reading good writing, or working on my own writing projects.
Tell us about your work in Crack the Spine.
“To Serve and Protect” is a multi-layered story about softball, social alienation, and police cover ups.
What inspired this work?
I was spending a lot of time watching my daughter’s softball games and wanted to write something about that specific setting. At about the same time, there was a story in the news about the accidental death of a local teenager who was in police custody. No charges were filed against the police, who put a closed-vent gas mask on the teen, because it was determined they weren’t properly trained in gas mask use. I was outraged and wanted to write something about social victims winning.
Favorite Book?
Jane Eyre, hands down.
Favorite Author?
This is like asking a chef to pick her favorite spice! I have so many favorite authors, but I have been in love with Faulkner the longest.
If you could have dinner with one fictional character, who would it be?
Hester Prynne.
What is your favorite word?
Accept (in all of its forms).
Anything else to say for yourself?
I often have students or community members come to me in anguish about whether or not they are “real” writers. If you write, you’re a writer. Once you believe that, the skies open up and sunshine rains down upon you (except at night when you are trying to sleep, in which case it is moonlight – but only from a quarter-moon so as not to interfere with your REM cycles).
This was a wonderful interview. Ms. outlook and approach was an inspiration to me. Thank you. Also, the format of the new weekly newsletter is very reader friendly.
Sorry for the typo, above. Should be “Ms. Brenegan.”
Looking forward to your new book. Loved Shame the Devil. Historical fiction is my favorite genre.
Thank you!
Glad to see the interviews! I love “writer of the month” features, and this is a good one!