Author Interview: Heather Morris

Heather Morris, author of Three Sisters took some time out to have a chat with Beauty and Lace.

Get to know Heather in this interview.

Tell us a little about yourself …

I was born and raised in a small rural community in the North Island of New Zealand where my family had lived for generations. Marrying and moving to Christchurch, having three children born there, we moved to Melbourne in 1987. I decided to enrol in an Arts Degree at Monash University and graduated with a BA, majoring in Political Science.

For twenty-plus years I worked in the Social Work Department at Monash Medical Centre. During this time, I completed a few online and weekend courses in screenwriting. I have always loved telling stories, never thought I was able to write a novel, hence screenwriting.

It comes with a formula and rules which I found easy to learn. Having been involved with my children in athletics, I joined a Veteran’s Athletic Club and competed in mostly throwing events – javelin, shot-put, discus etc.

I love travelling and being a grandmother.

I ‘retired’ from my employment in 2018, the year The Tattooist of Auschwitz was released, aged 65.

What books did you grow up reading?

I devoured Encyclopedia Britannica as a child. Intrigued by cultures in countries far from where I lived. I loved adventure books, played into my dreams of escape, like The Famous Five and my older brother’s Biggles stories.

As a teenager I reached for biographies, memoirs needing to enter the real world through the lives of others.

If you could be mentored by an author of your choice, who would it be?

Hilary Mantel. Her brilliance at writing across genres, historical fiction, memoirs, short stories, and very long ones (Wolf Hall) has me in awe.

How do you use social media as an author?

I have already indicated my age; however, I do have both private and public Facebook pages and Instagram. Confession here, I rely on others to post on my insta, I have only mastered replying and posting on the generous posts I have been tagged into.

I have used Facebook to do live events (again with technical help from others).

Tell us about Three Sisters …

That’s a big question, I will try and condense my answer to under the 110,000 words in the novel.

As young girls Cibi, Magda and Livia make a promise to their father that they will stay together, care for each other, let nothing separate them.

Livia (15) and Cibi (19) were taken to Auschwitz from their home in Slovakia in April 1942. Magda (17) was in hospital when the Hlinka Guards came for the sisters. For two and a half years Livia and Cibi survived in Auschwitz-Birkenau not knowing where her sister, mother and grandfather were. During that time Magda was hiding in forests, being hidden by caring neighbours. Eventually caught by the Nazi’s she was taken to Birkenau. Amongst the 100,000 prisoners there, the sisters were reunited.

Being taken on a death march in January 1945 the sister’s survival is a story of incredible resilience and courage as they took turns supporting each other through several other camps before eventually running from the SS. Their weeks travelling through towns and the countryside of Germany, being confronted by both the German and Russian Armies, is a story in itself.

After repatriation back to Slovakia the sisters make the decision to move to Israel in that pivotal period of history when that State was being created. Their role as young refugees finding a home, falling in love, having families form the final chapters of their remarkable lives. Two of the sisters, Livia and Magda are still alive, living in Israel. I have been privileged to spend time with them and their families to get the story readers will now embrace.

What is your schedule like when you’re writing?

I hope my publishers don’t read this. I must admit to not being the most disciplined writer. I am more productive working in the evening, when the shops are shut, my grandchildren are in bed, I can no longer be distracted by the birds flying past my window. I wouldn’t call myself a procrastinator, more easily distracted.

One thing I am very good at is meeting the deadlines set for me. When I got behind with delivering on Three Sisters, I took myself off to the wilds of Tasmania with no vehicle and nowhere to go, for 12 days. Mission accomplished.

What 3 items would we find on your desk?

Photos of my family. A candle. A photo of Lale and me.

Who is your favourite author?

Can I answer with a favourite genre – police procedural/crime – David Baldacci, Michael Creighton, and Lee Child.

What are you currently reading?

Mrs England By Stacey Halls.

Set in West Yorkshire, 1904 Mrs England is a simmering portrait of an Edwardian marriage, brilliantly weaving a story of men and women, power and control, courage, truth, and deception. I highly recommend it.

Where can our readers follow you?

As mentioned, I have Facebook and Instagram pages, but can I encourage you to look at my website, where you will also see a lovely video of Livia.

What is next for Heather Morris?

Bit of a secret at the moment, suffice it to say I am researching a story set during World War II, in the Pacific. Stay tuned.

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