A New Hampshire native, Rebecca spent her childhood using her imagination to turn the woods around her house into a story. Stories were close confidants, both those she read and those she wrote. From the pivotal moment it became her career aspiration, she’s grown her relationship with writing through every idea, plot line and character.

MoonLit Getaway published Rebecca's short story, "A Mother, Before All Else," in 2024.

INTERVIEW

MG: What got you into writing?

BM: When I was in elementary school, we were instructed to write a short story. I was so inspired by the characters that I filled an entire composition notebook! From then on, I was hooked. Writing has always been part of my life, whether I was creating ideas for personal stories, or completing an assignment for school. Storytelling has stemmed into various aspects of my life, from dance to stage and even film. In the end, though, the written word forever has my heart and soul.

MG: Tell us more about "A Mother, Before All Else"—what inspired it? What makes it unique?

BM: The original story was something I wrote because I had a bee in my bonnet about Hades and Dememter, and the argument they might have had after Persephone was whisked away to the underworld. In that version, Demeter was livid- it was almost an opening to their war over Persephone. Years later, while circling back to the concept, I did some research on the Goddess and discovered she went through so much trying to get her daughter back, only to find no one who would help her. The story is unique because I believe no one considers the journey she went on to bring her child home. The storm Demeter creates in the field is an embodiment of her power as a Goddess, but also her will as a Mother.  

MG: Are you currently working on anything else?

BM: I've always got projects on rotation, which range from full novels to graphic novel scripts, short stories and a  series for kids! If I'm honest, this kind of rotation is probably why I take so long to get anything done. It keeps me fresh! Plus, when I do return to a piece, I enjoy the reunion with my characters. My current project is a sci-fi novella called "Dead Saints". The concept is derived from two of my short stories which fit well together. I'm very excited because epic sci-fi is out of my wheelhouse. I made it my new year's resolution to have it out by the end of the year, so stay tuned!

MG: What’s your favorite piece you've ever made? Why is it your favorite?

BM: HOW. DO. I. CHOOSE?? All jokes aside, I have a soft spot for most of my work because so much of me goes into those pieces. However, there is one which stands out a smidge beyond the rest: October Boys. It started as an 80 page monster-in-the-woods story before taking root and turning into a three hundred page epic. I began writing it during the 2020 shutdown. At the time, I was living with my best friend in Brooklyn. It was him who pushed me to start writing a novel, which at the time, seemed impossible. He and I would talk for hours about characters and scenes. He'd write music and play it for me, saying "This is SO October Boys!" Looking back, I'm partial to the story because it was heavily influenced by someone I love so dearly. My work always has me in it somewhere, but in this case, it's me and Greg. Whenever I go back to those four boys, I'm going back to him, back to the Brooklyn apartment. It's a time I hold close to my heart.

MG: Are there any writers that inspire the way you make your pieces?

BM: Cassandra Clare's worldbuilding is something I aspire to. Aaron Sorkin is my dialogue GOD. Monica Hughes "Invitation to the Game" taught me how I wanted to write. Neil Gaiman's stories take me elsewhere. I always wind up writing after I read his work.

MG: Do you have any advice for other writers?

BM: I'm going to try and get through this as quickly as someone accepting an Oscar because I've got a lot to say and a little bit of time!

First: It's okay if you don't feel like writing all the time. I constantly hear: writer's need to write. However, some of us have full time jobs, children, school, responsibilities which don't allow time to write every second of the day. Don't beat yourself up because you fell off the wagon. It doesn't mean you're not a writer.

Second: if you're busy, get the writing in where you can: take fifteen minutes a day to sneak some paragraphs in! If a big project seems impossible, start with a short story. (Truth time) I dismissed short stories until I actually tried to write one. Let me tell you: AMAZING. WORTH IT. It keeps the creativity flowing, and sets up good habits. Not only does it bring you a sense of accomplishment, but it could wind up becoming an idea for a bigger project later in life. The original argument which inspired "A Mother Before All Else" was written a decade ago. We're not athletes, folks. Our career can span most of our lives, growing better as we age. 

Third (and last): GO BIG! Don't ever let the criticism or rejection of other people (or the fear of it) stop you from putting yourself out there. Submit your work to competitions, to literary agents, to your school newspaper. Don't fret over someone not liking your work- if it's not their cup of tea, tell them to spit it out and move on! Art is a representation of the human experience and an artist is influenced by what happens to them  in life. Keep working, keep writing, you'll learn something new every time. As my teacher Beth told my acting 1 class, "start at a 10, and I'll tell you if you need to pull it back." Guess what? She usually didn't have to.

GO FOR IT!

MG: Do you have any social media you'd like to share?

BM: Call me crazy, call me sane, I don't have any social media! Maybe someday, but I like my peace. Social media is a rabbit hole. Careful you don't step in it, Alice.

Read "A Mother, Before All Else" by Rebecca Martin