I am not a wordsmith, I am a truthteller, a soul who knows that each life holds a magic, an ordinary that when carefully written down, turns extraordinary.
Mary E. McKnight – 3 December 2024
The Back Flap
For fans of coming-of-age narratives and feminist journeys, an empowering tale of one teen’s quest to establish her own voice as an Army Brat living in Cold War–era West Germany.
Relocated with her family to Cold War–era West Germany, Army Brat and middle sister of three Mary grapples with the torment exacted by her older sister, the high moral expectations of her military father, and societal pressure to conform to traditional gender roles during the rise of the feminism movement. Through the transformative power of place, travel, and the people she encounters, Mary embarks on a journey of self-discovery, learning about social justice and finding her voice in a world still shaped by male dominance.
Rich with historical context, Out of Place is a poignant and compelling exploration of identity, personal growth, and the enduring strength that comes from embracing one’s purpose.
About the book
What is the book about?
My coming of age in Cold War West Germany as an Army Brat. It melds the common experiences young girls growing into young women share, with the unique backdrop and experiences of European travel. It celebrates what is deemed as “unremarkable” by society at large concerning this part of the life of a girl and brings it to the light and importance it deserves. The book delves into my awareness of social justice, women’s role in society, Germany’s recovery and reckoning of their Nazi past, and also explores the power of sibling dynamics in personality formation. All of this is done, interweaving humor, angst, tears of awareness and tears of bravery.
When did you start writing the book?
Seven years ago when my daughter suddenly had an early onset stroke which took her from vital 16-year-old, to wheel chair bound. In my insomniac worry, I began to write of a time where I felt “at home and out of place” at the same time.
How long did it take you to write it?
The first draft flowed out in a number of months, but in working with my Developmental Editor, Susan Conley, she took me from good to great. So, over the course of two years, I wrote the book, and then, spent years trying to get someone to realize that a “nobody” (yes, I was called that by literary agent and editor alike) to the “somebody” I always was.
Where did you get the idea from?
Way back in 1981, I was a Journalism student at Syracuse University. My advisor recommended as my “Capstone Project” (to be completed by Senior year) be about my Army Brat years. I was 19, and couldn’t imagine that my boring life was anything compared to all the NYC kids (who were brash, rich, flashy, secure…or at least that’s how I saw and felt it). Spiral forward oh so many years later, and I revisited that idea with all the beauty of reflection of the lived experience and I knew I had something there.
Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?
Not “struggled” but wept many, many tears at the retelling of parts. So cathartic and in that catharsis I was able to grow such compassion for my older sister and also for my dad.
What came easily?
The remembering. The sights, sounds, smells, conversations, minute details. I am a really anxious person who replays things in my mind over and over, so often life feels like a movie to me. I listened to music from that time (hence the Playlist at the end of the book) and that encouraged the stories.
Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?
They are/were all real people. Many names changed.
We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?
This will sound so performative, but Thoreau, Emerson, Whitman, and then in more recent times, Baldwin, and Mary Oliver . They are/were truth tellers, each in their own style. Not flowery, filled with words I had to look up, but with simplicity and yet depth. They looked around, and wrote. I do the same. I am not a wordsmith, I am a truthteller, a soul who knows that each life holds a magic, an ordinary that when carefully written down, turns extraordinary.
Do you have a target reader?
Females who are Baby Boomers, and also females who aren’t. My book celebrates our coming of age experiences. I could not find a female coming of age book unless the young girl had suffered some horrible tragedy. All a young man has to do is show up with a well-worn baseball glove and everyone is all over the “simple, compelling tale.” Well, we women, have simple, compelling tales too.
About Writing
Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?
I handwrite the first draft. I wish I didn’t as it is a pain in the hindquarters to then type into the computer, but the physicality of writing, the muscle memory finds my memory bank and opens it to stories both real (my current book) and fictitious (the current Rom Com I have written). Oh, and coffee, half whole milk and half water, dark roast.
Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?
For this current book, I wrote in order of the three years, but not in order in the beginning. As stories came to me, I wrote them, then, I sorted them in to Year One, Year Two and Year Three. For the Rom Com, I made sure I had the critical elements of a Rom Com as basic structure, put on some music from the time period when these two ex. lovers met up again many years later, and the writing just flowed.
Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?
Only when I have finished. I must vomit out a first draft. Well, can one call that a “First Draft?” Once I have typed it all on the computer, then I edit.
Did you hire a professional editor?
Since I am publishing with the hybrid model, I paid for a professional editor.
Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?
Most of the time, yes, but during a large part of the Rom Com I just wrote, I was in a stairwell at St. John’s College in Annapolis, waiting for my daughter. She cannot drive due to medical issues and so, I drove her to and from college her Senior year. While I waited for her, I savored the college atmosphere and as it is one the first colleges in what would become The United States, in the oldest building on campus, I felt like I was surrounded by the minds of at least 200 years of students. Very cool.
About Publishing
Did you submit your work to Agents?
I did. Ouch, ouch and triple ouch. I was told by one agent that because I am a “nobody,” no one would want to read my story. That one hurt. And then, I remembered that that was impossible as there is only one me on this Earth, which already qualifies me in “Somebody” status.
What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?
It was like turtle pace gradual. I was in a real financial crisis and had to decide to invest in myself. I took myself out of “scarcity mentality” even though financially, I was in scarcity, to an “abundance mentality.” How? My dad (who died five days after my mom’s funeral March 2024), told me that I needed to “get your ass in gear in start shoveling.” In civilian talk, that would be “it is up to you to make things better, now go!” Losing him and Mom last March was a blow, a major blow and neither lived to hold my first book in their hands.
Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?
It was professionally done by the publisher, but they asked me for my input, for covers I liked and did not like and reasons for both. Then they asked a series of questions so the designer could tailor the cover to the story. I am beyond pleased with the cover.
Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?
I hired a PR firm-yet another investment in myself. I used up almost all of the little savings I had left to do so.
Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?
You count. Your stories count. Write, don’t edit, just write. Don’t ask others what they think of it who are not vested in you getting your stories published. Their opinions don’t matter. I made the mistake of letting others read it and one of my cousins told me, “This is really bitter. It isn’t a novel. It’s more like a bloodletting.” And so, I wrote more.
About You
Where did you grow up?
As an Army Brat, I moved nine times before I was 16. The years I write about, were the ones spent overseas, but I have “the early years” written also. I never delete or throw away my writing, because I might want it for another book.
Where do you live now?
I live in Riverdale, Maryland
What are you working on now?
I am working with my Developmental Editor on the second draft of my Rom Com. I am in love this story. It is of two people who were the first love for both. He flies in and out of her life for about eight years and then they meet up about forty years later. They are both still vital, working, living and oh, that first love…all complicated by exes, children, location and the bullheadedness that develops as one lives life. I’ll include the mood board for the story. Oh, and I’ve already gotten halfway through the sequel. My weekly Substack page keeps me fresh and writing as well.
End of Interview:
For more from Mary E McKnight visit the Substack page she mentioned and follow her on Instagram and Twitter.
Get your copy of Out of Place from Amazon US.