Martha O’Connor lives in Marin County, California with her husband, the novelist Philip F. O’Connor, and their children. Her work has
been published in Stand, Confrontation, Midwest Poetry Review, and other literary journals. The Bitch Posse is her first novel.
Visit her website for tour info.
What are you reading right now?
I am reading a book called HOW TO BE LOST by Amanda Eyre Ward. It’s been in my To Be Read stack for awhile, and I took it with me on vacation. I’ve been unable to put it down! It’s an incredibly compelling story of a young woman whose sister was kidnapped when they were small children. Now, many years later, she is convinced her sister is alive, and she’s determined to find her.
Do you write to music? If so, what was the soundtrack for The Bitch Posse?
For The Bitch Posse, I listened to the Pixies’ Doolittle over and over and over again. It became almost a writing ritual for me. I still believe it is one of the greatest albums ever made.
You’re married to a writer. What’s that like?
Most of the time it’s fantastic We trade chapters or bounce ideas off each other. Once in awhile it’s difficult if we’re both under tight deadlines, but it usually works out great.
What kind of response has The Bitch Posse received from folks you went to high school with?
Everyone I have heard from has really loved it. Then again, people tend to avoid you if you’ve pissed them off somehow. I live 2500 miles away from my old hometown, so I don’t talk to many that many people from the old days. Most of my old friends have been really supportive though. One of MY original Bitch Posse is a bookseller and has personally sold dozens upon dozens of copies!
What’s your favorite book from childhood?
My favorite childhood book is Anne of Green Gables by LM Montgomery. In fact, it helped me through a rough part in the revisions of The
Bitch Posse. I think it’s a wonderful story of devotion between friends.
What’s your favorite Bay Area eatery?
My favorite restaurant in the Bay Area is Lotus Cusine of India in San Rafael. We go there every time we have something to celebrate. They
have never missed with a meal, never. Also, they have a wonderful lunch buffet and many vegetarian options.
You wrote everal novels before The Bitch Posse, but this is the first one that’s been published. What did you learn from your other
novels that aided you in the process of writing this one?
I learned what not to do! That’s the wonderful thing about writing. With every project, you learn and grow. The novel I wrote just before
I wrote The Bitch Posse was a genre mystery. It was never published, but I learned SO MUCH about plotting from writing it. In fact, I’d
venture to say that all writers should attempt a mystery at some stage in their careers, just for that reason.
You’re in the process of touring for your book. What question would you least want an audience member at a reading to ask?
“What’s that hanging from your nose?”
Let’s say someone fell in love with your book and wanted to show his or her appreciation by bringing a gift of a food item to one of the readings. What item would be most likely to inspire your everlasting gratitude?
The appetizer platter from Lotus (see above).
What’s in your attic? If you don’t have one, what’s in your hall closet?
We don’t have either one! But our basement contains:
Holiday ornaments
Children’s School Work
Correspondence going back 15 years
Taxes going back 10 years
Crappy patio furniture
Even crappier particleboard desk
Paint
Very old and mostly bad writing
Boxes labeled things like “Junk” and “Misc”
