Interview with Louise Jane Watson, Author of Marooned

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Marooned?

I wrote the book during the pandemic. Everything was so miserable, that I wanted to create something that was pure escapism and full of warm, feel-good vibes. I wanted reading the book to feel like getting a hug.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Marooned, what would they be?

I was re-watching Guardians of the Galaxy this weekend, so I’m picking songs from that soundtrack! For Sunny, I would choose The Five Stairsteps – O-o-h Child, and for Kit it would be Fooled Around and Fell in Love – Elvin Bishop. Then for Pinky, the ship’s cat, I think it would definitely have to be “Come and Get Your Love” by Redbone! Throw those three tunes on a playlist, and you get a pretty great outline of both the characters, and the feel of the book.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I’m not sure if I have a favorite genre. I read mysteries, thrillers, survival stories, romance, sci-fi… Honestly I think my writing has influences from all those genres in it— even sci-fi. I re-read The Martian as I was writing Marooned—it’s a shipwreck story after all!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I haven’t read any Tessa Bailey books yet, so they are all on my TBR. Susan Pierce has a new book coming out in her Backspin series that I’m excited to read. I also bought A Solitude of Wolverines by Alice Henderson recently, so that’s at the top of the TBR pile.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but there is one scene, close to the end, that is my absolute favorite. It made me cry writing it, and still really makes my heart squeeze, even though I’ve now read the scene a million times. You’ll know it when you get to it!

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I do a lot of pacing. I’ll be banging out a scene, then get to a point where I’m not quite sure what happens next. That’s when the pacing and muttering happens. I actually walk in circles, I never thought I would be a person who walked in circles, but there you go. Writing brought out quirks I didn’t know I had!

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

“Begin anywhere.” ― John Cage

I love John Cage (20th century experimental musician/artist). His whole thing was about seeing beauty and poetry in even the most mundane of experiences. Another quote from John Cage is “To accept what comes, regardless of consequences, is to be unafraid.” I try and remember that when I am overthinking things!

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Work on your inner beauty, not your outer… and reduce your plastic usage!

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