Interview With Marissa Stapley

Marissa Stapley is the internationally bestselling author of three novels, which have been published around the world and translated into eight languages.

We’re delighted to feature this interview with her on the publication day of THE LAST RESORT!

THE LAST RESORT

From bestselling author Marissa Stapley comes a gripping novel about marriage, loyalty, and the deadly secrets that unravel over the course of a two-week couples’ therapy retreat in Mexico.

Miles Markell is missing, and everyone is a suspect.

To the guests at The Harmony Resort, Doctors Miles and Grace Markell appear to be a perfect power couple. They run a couples’ therapy retreat in a luxurious resort in the Mayan Riviera where they help spouses deal with their marriage struggles.

Johanna and Ben’s relationship looks great on the surface, but in reality, they don’t know each other at all. Shell and Colin fight constantly—Colin is a workaholic, and Shell always comes second.But what has really torn them apart is too devastating to talk about.

When both couples begin Harmony’s intensive therapy program, it becomes clear that Harmony is not all that it seems—and neither are Miles and Grace. What are they hiding, and what price will these couples pay for finding out their secrets?

As a powerful hurricane descends on the coast, trapping both the hosts and their guests, confidences are revealed, loyalties are tested, and not one single person—or marriage—will ever be the same.

A gripping exploration of relationships and trust, The Last Resort is a propulsive read about all the big truths we hide, even from ourselves.

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Tell us about your beginning, where are you from?

I’m from a small town outside of Toronto, although I now live in the city proper. I grew up in a rambling old Victorian house I still fantasize about buying sometimes — but I think I’ve become an urban dweller at heart.

How did your childhood impact the writer you’ve become?

Although my parents are still dear friends with each other, they divorced when I was young and I found this very painful. I didn’t want to leave that Victorian house! So I became quite shy and quiet, and could most often be found reading books or writing my own stories. I know people often struggle with how to become a writer, or how to define themselves as such, but I’ve never been anything else.

When did you decide you wanted to be a writer?

As I said above, it was never a decision; it’s always been part of my identity. Sometimes I think that makes me very lucky — but there are moments I wonder if I’m wrong in believing there’s nothing else I could have been. Maybe I have a parallel future as a lawyer, a doctor — or, more realistically, a barista. Granted, these types of thoughts only surface when a book isn’t going well or I’m in the middle of some difficult edits and wishing I’d become something, anything, other than a writer. Most days I’m quite happy with the way things have turned out.

How has writing changed you as a person?

I think because I’m always mining my inner life to give emotional scope to my writing, I’m deeply in touch with my feelings. This can be a good thing, but it also means my emotions are always close to the surface. I was having lunch with some writer friends recently and we were talking about what a relief it was to be around each other. We were all perfectly comfortable with the level of anxiety and intensity at the table!

Can you tell us a bit about The Last Resort? What inspired you to write it?

Like all of my novels, The Last Resort examines relationships and has at its core the secrets we keep from one another. However, these secrets ended up taking an unexpected turn! I didn’t necessarily set out to write such a dark book, or a murder mystery. I wanted to explore marriage the way I had in my debut novel, Mating for Life.

I was on holiday with my family several years ago and I got a little restless so I started making up stories about the people at the resort. Were they really as happy as they seemed? In my experience, everyone has a story. Everyone has secrets. I was working on a different book at the time, so I put the idea on a back burner, but it wouldn’t leave me alone. That’s how you know you’re onto something.

As I finally began to write The Last Resort, I was influenced by the state of the world. Gender politics, politics in general, the #metoo movement, and the idea that the world wasn’t going to become the kind of place I wanted my kids to grow up in unless I did something about it — all of this influenced the story, and a lot of it ended up coming from a frustrated place inside me, the part that craved change. A friend recently described the book as “furious”, and I found that so apt. But I’m an optimist. I’m still furious, but there’s still hope.

What would be your 6 word memoir?

I Assure You, I Meant Well

What is the best writing advice you’ve ever had, and the worst?

I can’t recall ever being given bad writing advice, or at least not bad writing advice I listened to. But the best writing advice I ever received was from my novelist friend Karma Brown, who told me to be sure to “drop an anchor” with my writing every day, even in the midst of hectic times, like the launch of a new novel. I’m about to release The Last Resort and working on something new at the same time. It’s not easy, but I’m trying to take that advice to drop an anchor as often as I can. There’s something so calming about keeping up my daily writing routine. It’s a reminder that I get to come back to this quiet place eventually.

What is your writing process like? Are you a pantser or a plotter?

I feel my way through the dark with a first draft, then pause, outline, and start all over again. I don’t see how I could do it any other way: it’s impossible to know what characters are going to do until you’ve let them blindfold you and lead you around for a while.

Do you need a special place to write?

It doesn’t necessarily matter where I am, but a comfortable chair, a window with a nice view, and a stack of books nearby always helps.

Are you part of a writing community or a writing group?

I am, and I don’t know how I’d survive the publishing industry without them. We call ourselves ‘ the Coven’. The group is comprised of some of the best, most inspiring female authors in Canada. We don’t actually write together, but we talk about writing, we support each other — and I know I’d be lost without these dynamic, brilliant women in my corner.

What is your experience with social media as a writer? Do you find it distracts you or does it provide inspiration?

I’m completely distracted my social media. I always find it challenging when I emerge from my writing cave to promote a book and begin to feel the strain of constantly seeking approval. This is why I find it so soothing to drop that anchor and write every day. Social media can feel confusing, overwhelming, and strangely lonely. That being said, I also often find myself rejuvenated by the connections I’ve made with kind, gracious and enthusiastic book reviewers, bloggers, bookstagrammers and readers. There are some wonderful book loving communities out there and I’m always so honored when they reach out to me.

Who are your favorite authors?

Lauren Groff, Alice Munro, Chris Cleave, Martha Gellhorn, Marian Keyes, Rebecca Traister, Joanne Proulx, Britt Bennett, Elizabeth Gilbert, Meg Wolitzer, Barbara Kingsolver, Julia Glass, Ann Patchett, Anna Quindlen, Carrianne Leung, Liane Moriarty, David Sedaris, Joan Didion, and I could go on but we might run out of space …

What are you reading currently?

Crow by Amy Spurway, and I just love it because it’s set on Canada’s east coast, and I think I love any book that’s set on Canada’s east coast. I’m also buddy-reading The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater with my son.

Thank you, Marissa!

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Marissa Stapley is the internationally bestselling author of three novels, which have been published around the world and translated into eight languages. She has worked as a stable hand, bartender, tropical resort destination rep, sports reporter, cemetery gardener, television listings writer, band roadie and beauty magazine editor. Marissa has taught creative writing and editing at the University of Toronto and Centennial College. Her award-nominated journalism has appeared in newspapers and magazines across North America, including Elle, Reader’s Digest, Today’s Parent and The Globe and Mail. She lives in Toronto with her family and her bookshelves.

Find out more about Marissa on her website http://www.marissastapley.com/

Follow her on Twitter @marissastapley

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Interviews, On Writing