We all have unforgettable moments in our lives. One of mine is the moment I first walked into the venue for the ACW Writers’ Day in Derby back in October 2018. I was a new member, hadn’t published any fiction and wasn’t planning to, but was an eager consumer of other people’s. Walking over to the authors’ table, I was blown away by the sheer number of books, all written by actual people who I was probably going to meet over the next few years. Being published seemed like an impossible dream to me back then and even now I sometimes have to pinch myself to make sure it’s true. I’ve written two books and am working on my third, but I am a sluggard, a heavy-footed idler compared to the magnificent Maressa Mortimer whose latest book, “Burrowed” I’m featuring today.
Maressa published her first novel, “Sapphire Beach”, at the end of 2019. Reading it, I felt pleasurable shivers running down my spine. She excels at creating an atmosphere of slightly creepy suspense. Since then, she’s written and published another four books as well as contributing to a writing anthology. I caught up with her to ask her some questions about her latest novel, Burrowed, for which she has created an entire society.
Your words about how you got the idea for Burrowed fascinated me. “It started with me secretly wondering why it’s always the ‘wrong’ people that die.” Tell me more.
My dad was one of eight children, and three of my uncles died when they were quite young, early fifties, sixties, and as a teenager, I could see rather nasty people living till their late nineties and that felt wrong... Even now, when losing friends or relatives, it’s hard not to feel there would have been a worse person that should have died instead. Even as a Christian, knowing they’re in heaven, it’s hard not to wish them back.
I know that coffee and plenty of it plays a vital role in your writing. Can you take us through a typical day in the writing life of Maressa Mortimer?
My day starts with coffee and is quite relaxed for a short time. Then there are places to take my children to or I will have to teach them at home. That fills most of my day, making most days feel like a blur. Coffee calms me down, giving me time to stop and think during the day. I enjoy homeschooling my children, but as they have so many extra activities, it’s not as homey as it sounds like. Fortunately, my children are exhausted by the end of the day, so they’re in bed early. That gives me time to write. My daughters now go to a special school two days a week, which gives me time to lounge in a coffee shop or library and write, which is fantastic!
I love the words from Paul Gerhardt which you use at the beginning of the book. “Give to the wind thy fears, hope and be undismayed; God hears thy sighs and counts thy tears; God shall lift up thy head. Through waves and clouds and storms, He gently clears thy way; Wait thou His time, so shall this night soon end in joyous day.
I love Welsh hymn tunes, and in our hymnbook, this hymn comes with a Welsh tune. I think it’s a lovely reminder that we can leave our troubles and questions with God, to throw away our fear and lean on Him. I knew the hymn in Dutch, but it’s closer to the German, with a very pragmatic, efficient tune, not at all like the beautiful Welsh one...
Tell me more about why you decided to turn the island of Ximiu green? Is this a subject close to your heart?
I thought it would be interesting for I often think going green isn’t as simple as it sounds. Electric cars are amazing, until you talk about the batteries needed and the damage it is doing to poorer communities. I just thought the whole supply and demand idea on a smaller island would be an interesting point, as well as the sudden surge in people wanting more children, to help with manual tasks. I believe as Christians we should be good stewards of our planet, showing wisdom and kindness to people, rather than exploit them to salve our conscience temporarily.
How easy did you find including a faith element in the novel?
I enjoyed it! First my main character likes the idea of church being all about going green, but the greater her troubles, the more she realises she needs a personal relationship with God. I loved that, as well as how grief can change everything.
There are some big themes in this novel – saving the planet, trafficking, teenage concerns. How have readers responded to these so far and are you particularly aiming this book at a younger audience?
I have had some wonderful comments, which is lovely. It was such a hard book to write as I had so many things I wanted in the book; it was easy to lose sight of some details. I aimed it at slightly younger readers, because of the characters’ ages as well as the fact I’m not a very complex writer. Once I had feedback for another novel that told me adult readers would get bored, but it might be alright for teenagers. I don’t particularly enjoy complex books, so I don’t write them either, which means that I say Burrowed is a YA novel.
Jasira is a teenage detective – do I feel a sequel coming on? You’ve created a memorable, engaging character in her and written a whole world around our island. Will there be more?
I didn’t even think it was going to be a full-length novel, but it grew and grew and more things went wrong for my character than I realised. It was meant to be a standalone novel, until one of the minor characters mentioned a missing friend, possibly murdered. I suddenly realised I might not have seen the last of Jasira or Ximiu! Her friend has a missing sister, quite likely linked to the traffickers, so dare I tackle the human trafficking scene, the trauma it would cause and what the healing from that kind of experience would look like? Mixed in with a murder investigation... Book 2 could be a rather wild ride!
You can buy a signed copy of “Burrowed” from Maressa’s website at: or head to Amazon.
I received an ARC but was under no obligation to provide a favourable review.