Crafting Fiction from Life’s Unexpected Turns with Mary Camarillo

"Good fiction exposes us to people we don’t understand—and makes us care about them.” — Mary Camarillo

In this episode of Uncorking a Story, we delve into the writing journey of award-winning author Mary Camarillo. From her early days as a voracious reader and rebellious high school journalist to an unexpected career at the U.S. Postal Service, Mary shares how her life experiences shaped her unique storytelling voice. Join us as we discuss her acclaimed novels, The Lockhart Women and Those People Behind Us, and the creative process that turns the everyday into compelling fiction.

Early Influences: Mary’s love for books began in childhood, bolstered by her role as a literary magazine editor and an underground newspaper rebel. The Power of Perspective: A career at the U.S. Postal Service exposed Mary to stories and characters that later fueled her novels. Fiction's Truths: Mary draws parallels between writing audit reports and crafting fiction, emphasizing the need for authenticity. Patience in Writing: Her debut novel, The Lockhart Women, took six years to complete, highlighting the value of perseverance and trust in the process. Neighborhood Dynamics: Those People Behind Us explores themes of division and connection in modern communities. The Joys of Overwriting: Mary encourages writers to embrace the messiness of a first draft, emphasizing that editing is where the magic happens. Advice for Aspiring Writers: Build a writing community, value independent bookstores, and embrace revision as part of the journey.

Buy Those People Behind Us