Ask the Author: Alice Zorn
Answered Questions (6)
Alice Zorn
Hi Irene,
Thanks for your question. I'm happy to hear you're enjoying Five Roses.
I’ve been living in Montreal since the 1980s and in Pointe St. Charles since 2001. When we moved to the Pointe, it was beginning to be gentrified, and part of what I wanted to do in Five Roses was to describe the changes I saw taking place. The cover of Five Roses, for example, is from a photo my husband took in 2002. That same house is now completely fixed up: brick repointed, thermal glass windows, door with stained-glass inset, granite doorstep.
Living here, I became fascinated by the rich history of the Pointe, the Lachine Canal, St. Henri, and Griffintown. Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll write a novel about this area in its industrial heyday.
For sure, I’ve heard lots of interesting stories from neighbours who were born or lived here for many years. One, who recently had to move into a seniors’ residence, grew up in the same house where she later lived with her husband. An old boyfriend used to tell me stories about when he was a kid and stayed with his grandmother (“Nanny”) who had an apartment on Island. We used to visit his uncle who lived in Verdun. That would have been in 1981 or 1982. The apartment had walls of raw plywood and an oil heater in the front room that was supposed to heat the whole place. He told a story about renovating a building in the Pointe and discovering a dead body in the basement. Maybe that’s why I only go into the dirt cellar in this house unless I really need to.
Thanks for your question. I'm happy to hear you're enjoying Five Roses.
I’ve been living in Montreal since the 1980s and in Pointe St. Charles since 2001. When we moved to the Pointe, it was beginning to be gentrified, and part of what I wanted to do in Five Roses was to describe the changes I saw taking place. The cover of Five Roses, for example, is from a photo my husband took in 2002. That same house is now completely fixed up: brick repointed, thermal glass windows, door with stained-glass inset, granite doorstep.
Living here, I became fascinated by the rich history of the Pointe, the Lachine Canal, St. Henri, and Griffintown. Who knows? Maybe one day I’ll write a novel about this area in its industrial heyday.
For sure, I’ve heard lots of interesting stories from neighbours who were born or lived here for many years. One, who recently had to move into a seniors’ residence, grew up in the same house where she later lived with her husband. An old boyfriend used to tell me stories about when he was a kid and stayed with his grandmother (“Nanny”) who had an apartment on Island. We used to visit his uncle who lived in Verdun. That would have been in 1981 or 1982. The apartment had walls of raw plywood and an oil heater in the front room that was supposed to heat the whole place. He told a story about renovating a building in the Pointe and discovering a dead body in the basement. Maybe that’s why I only go into the dirt cellar in this house unless I really need to.
Alice Zorn
A hard question to answer because I'm allergic to the word "favourite". Almost every book I read has something to teach me as a writer and a person.
I can tell you about the first fictional couple that impressed me: Elizabeth and Darcy. I began reading when I was very young and read Pride and Prejudice when I was eight years old. I was deeply curious and delighted to see how Elizabeth's strong character made her more attractive to Darcy than any number of social attractions--though, of course, both were stubborn and had to learn the difference between the superficial and the essential--to grow to appreciate each other.
Now, of course, the details and social context of the novel are dated, but the tension between Elizabeth and Darcy still holds true and could easily be transposed to an IT office, a ranch, a schoolyard.
I tip my hat to Jane Austen for having a written a novel that still has many readers, although it was first published in 1813!
I can tell you about the first fictional couple that impressed me: Elizabeth and Darcy. I began reading when I was very young and read Pride and Prejudice when I was eight years old. I was deeply curious and delighted to see how Elizabeth's strong character made her more attractive to Darcy than any number of social attractions--though, of course, both were stubborn and had to learn the difference between the superficial and the essential--to grow to appreciate each other.
Now, of course, the details and social context of the novel are dated, but the tension between Elizabeth and Darcy still holds true and could easily be transposed to an IT office, a ranch, a schoolyard.
I tip my hat to Jane Austen for having a written a novel that still has many readers, although it was first published in 1813!
Alice Zorn
A new novel which I'm really excited about.
Alice Zorn
It is so very important to read all the time. Reading shows you how writing is done.
Alice Zorn
I write fiction. What I love best is making things up.
Alice Zorn
I go for a very long walk or cycle. I think of it as oxygenating the brain. Even if I don't resolve the block that day, I get some exercise which always makes me feel better.
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