Maren Cooper is the author of Finding Grace. After her career as a health care leader, she began volunteering for various non-profits. She grew up in the Midwest and now lives in Minnesota.
Welcome Author Maren Cooper
Stories that bind. Finding Grace shows us what the deep end means when it comes to unconditional love. Something that is seldom easily seen in today’s society. So, it is my pleasure to have you here as part of my meet the author series, thank you.
What made you choose to become a writer/author?
To be totally honest, it was the peer pressure of sitting in classes at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis and realizing I couldn’t just sit there—I had to write something! Once I started, the choice was made, and I was hooked. But, as a book lover, my initial objective in taking classes was to learn more about how authors create their art.
Please share something about you that no one knows?
I have two awesome grandchildren and a terrific grand-dog who tries to be-friend my senior cat with increasing luck on every visit. Never give up!
Inspiration for writing Finding Grace
I feel for each character in the story, their strength, devotion and unbreakable faith and hope. I love that you’ve written these values within your story. Well done!
What inspired you to write your story?
For awhile now, I’ve been fascinated about the concept of the “unreliable narrator” and set out to try my writing hand at it. Initially, that inspired Finding Grace; I’ll leave it to my readers to determine if I succeeded. Clearly, my characters are complex, and each of the three main characters narrate the story from their own POV, so each has the power to influence the reporting of events.
How much research did you put into the setting for your story?
My favorite place in the world is the North Shore of Lake Superior so I’ve been researching that setting for much of my life! Hawk Ridge, Gooseberry Falls, Tettegouche are all favorite haunts.
Research about mental illness and the effects of a narcissistic parent were top of list. I also did some reading about runaways, the difficulties in diagnosing various stages of mental instability and how hard it is to access care in a desperate situation.
What message (theme or takeaway) would you want readers to embrace in your story?
I hope the story of Grace’s struggle to find a safe path through the tangle between her parents is a take-away for all parents. The most undervalued role of a parent and first priority is to keep their child safe. Unconditional love is hard to practice when dealing with a troubled child. That self-sacrifice can often be forgotten in the rush of their own emotional trauma, and is a costly mistake for everyone.
What’s Next for Maren Cooper
Are you planning your next book?
My next book is in the queue to be published in November of 2023!
Could you share a little more about it?
This third novel, not yet titled, is a contemporary story with a bit of a mystery to it. Stay tuned!
Connect with Maren Cooper
Readers, Maren would love to hear from you. You can connect with her here.
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