Sarah Frances Moran
Age: 34
Location: Waco, Texas
Education: Some College
The Writer
How long have you been writing?
Since High School. I haven’t stopped writing poetry ever since. I’ve only been serious about my writing for about 3 years though.
Do you see writing as a career?
Not necessarily. I have a very rewarding day job as a manager for a specialty veterinary practice.
What do you consider to be your greatest accomplishment as a writer?
I just got my first full-length manuscript accepted by ELJ Publications. That was my ultimate goal.
What is your ultimate goal as a writer?
As above! Of course I’ll want to publish more books.
The Work
Tell us about your work in Crack the Spine.
This Evergreen is Locking Up Everyone Who Ever Laid a Finger on Me. It is a telling of the abuses I was met with as a child. In the poem the Evergreen acts as a turnkey for the cells I’ve put those people in.
Is there a main theme or message in this piece?
Resilience is the main message. That despite enduring great horrors we can survive and thrive.
How long did it take you to complete this piece?
A couple of hours. It never takes me very long to write something.
Tell us about another project you have published or are currently working on.
The project I just finished was my full-length manuscript. It’s titled Pocha: Mi Vida Through Lotería. It is comprised of poems based on the 54 cards of the Mexican/Spanish bingo game, Lotería.
What inspired this work?
I grew up playing this game. I wanted to write work that explored my heritage and culturally identity. It felt like a fun way to organize my thoughts and help me to recollect memories.
Where/When can we find this work?
It will be releasing from ELJ Publications in 2017
The Methods
How often do you write?
Whenever something moves me. For the Lotería project I was writing daily. Right now I’m taking a break.
How do you react to editorial rejections of your work?
Rejections are just part of the process. I don’t get down about them I simply keep trying.
How do you react when one of your submissions is accepted for publication?
Usually with some sort of min-celebration. A nice dinner with some drinks.
What is your best piece of advice on how to stay sane as a writer?
Persistence, goals, resilience. DON’T GIVE UP. Keep doing what you love and keep sharing it.
The Madness
What is your favorite book?
Anything We Love Can Be Saved by Alice Walker
What is your favorite word?
Why
What’s in that cup on your desk?
Always coffee, cream…sugar optional
What is the most beautiful thing you’ve ever seen?
This is going to sound cliché but my partner, Iva. We met online, shared photos but none of it did her justice. The first time we met she took my breath away and still does, 4 years later.
Rain or Sunshine?
Rain
Cats or Dogs?
Dogs
Beer or Wine?
Beer
Additional Reading on Sarah
Twitter: @sfrancesmoran