Read to Know Basis: Maurice Carlos Ruffin
The Author of The American Daughters talks about researching his family and King cakes.
Read to Know Basis is a weekly interview series with authors talking about reading, writing, and of course snacks. This series is free to all. If you like what you read considering upgrading to a paid subscription to support the work of Unstacked, and of course go out and buy the book!
Maurice Carlos Ruffin is the author of the historical novel The American Daughters (One World, Feb. 2024) as well as The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You, a One Book One New Orleans selection, which was longlisted for the Story Prize. His debut, We Cast a Shadow, was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and the PEN America Open Book Prize. All three books were New York Times Editor’s Choice selections. Ruffin is the winner of the Iowa Review Award in fiction and the Louisiana Writer Award. Ruffin is a professor of Creative Writing at Louisiana State University.
What are five words to describe your book?
Black women find freedom together.
What is the strangest thing you googled while researching/writing this book?
My own white ancestors. I’m not much of a genealogist. But I knew that I needed to understand my own past to better understand my characters. I found a possible ancestor in Scotland about 400 years ago. Apparently, he and his brother were wealthy enough to loan money to the crown. When they asked for repayment, they were run off to Australia. They came over to Virginia. The cherry on top: I met one of their white descendants in Key West last year. I saw her again on tour in Atlanta. She’s super nice.
What has been the most memorable moment while on book tour?
At the book release, it seemed like every writer in New Orleans showed up. I asked all the writers in the audience to raise their hands. About a hundred people did. That was very sweet. There are photos of that moment on my social media. I’ll never forget that image. We’re a tight community down in the Big Easy.
Describe your ideal reader?
Hmm…Intelligent goes without saying. Curious, playful, maybe a little mischievous too. Someone who wants to go on a ride and trusts that I’ll bring them back to shore safely.
What is a piece of writing advice that you’ve received that you think is really bad? What is a piece of writing advice that you think is really good?
Useless advice: Write every day. I don’t even eat every day. Why would I write every day?
Useful advice: Make the book about the problem you’re having in your real life. That’s from
. Man, she’s brilliant.What is the one thing you can’t write without?
A sense that in the fulness of time everything is going to work out. None of our classic writers knew what their impact would be. Yet, their work stays with us. That’s beautiful.
What are you reading right now? And what book are you desperate to read next?
Annell López’s I’ll Give You A Reason. She’s one of the best debut writers I’ve read. Her short stories hit exactly right. Each is like a puzzle piece falling into its slot. I’m desperate to read Percival Everett’s James. He is the most sure-handed writer I can think of.
What book are you an evangelist for?
Always Robert Jones’ Jr. The Prophets. I think it’s a classic that will be read in 100 years. It’s one of those books that I was a different person after I read it.
Who is your literary crush?
A gentleman never tells.
What is one thing in the culture people are very into that you are extremely out on?
Reality TV. I’ve tried. I really have. But I must accept that 30 years into the genre, it’s just not going to happen for me.
If you could not be a writer what would you do?
I would be a good host for a podcast or radio show like Fresh Air. I’m chatty, cheerful, and light on my feet.
You’re invited to a literary potluck, what are you bringing? Could be food or drink.
I’ll bring a king cake. That’s New Orleans seasonal dessert. We only eat it during Mardi Gras. I’ve walked around at parades handing out slices. It’s a good way to make people happy.
Connect with Maurice: Website |
| Instagram | ThreadsCatch Maurice’s episode of The Stacks from 2019 while discussing his debut novel We Cast a Shadow.
Read to Know Basis is a weekly interview series with authors talking about reading, writing, and of course snacks. This series is free to all. If you like what you read considering upgrading to a paid subscription to support the work of Unstacked, and of course go out and buy the book!
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Maurice is great. He did a reading at Lemuria Books here in Jackson, and was so generous with his time and insights. I loved We Cast a Shadow and look forward to reading his latest!
Omg! I could not read this fast enough!!! He is one of the main headliners I went to NOLA Book Fest for. His session was so good and the new book has so much to unpack. I need to reread it!