Maryellen wrote the poem PUCA
Gnome & UnGnome Facts About Maryellen:
Ireland has always pulled at my soul. I love the culture of music and writing and the natural raw beauty of the country where the land meets the sea. This is the reason I wrote about the Puka, the mesmerizing and terrifying Irish fairie.
I grew up on a former apple orchard and spent my springs, summers, and falls outside wandering the slowly developing orchard. Little by little land was sold and another house was built surrounded by those craggy apple trees.
We loved Halloween there as we wandered from home to home in the dark, sure that spooky goblins lurked up in those apple trees. I loved those trees and that orchard.
As my brothers and I grew older, my parents decided to move but that apple orchard and the memories of being a child there is a part of my soul; always have been and always will be.
I’ve had one picture book published by Richard C. Owens My Favorite Place and I’ve been published in two Chicken Soup For The Soul books I also just had a story about my youngest daughter featured in Women’s World magazine.
I’m a recently retired high school Special Ed and Literacy Teacher in New York. I also had a contract with Dial that was revoked in 2009 due to the financial fallout at that time and my Assistant Editor went on to pursue another dream.
Absol’s Q&A with Maryellen:
Hello, Maryelle,! Thanks for being our LEGEND of the WEEK!
Tell us what magical or legendary creature you’d be if you could?
I’ve always loved cows. I’d probably be Glas Gablain roaming the fields of Ireland in the sun providing endless milk. I’d bask in the sun when I wasn’t giving out cartons of milk.
Can you tell us a little about how you came to be a part of Gnomes & UnGnomes? How did you hear about the Loft and this project?
So, I’ve been to many wonderful events at the loft both when we lived in Connecticut and now that we live in New York. I’ve always found the events inspiring and also the group welcoming too.
I’ve read about the Anthology and this year was hoping to be a part of it. So I’m grateful that I am able to this year.
How did you come to write about my cheeky Puka friend?
I grew up on an apple orchard and loved the fall time there. Most especially, I loved Halloween. My Grandparents came straight off the boat from Ireland and told tales of Irish faeries, in particular, the Puka! On dark summer and fall evenings, when there was a rustling in the trees and shadows from the woods, I imagined these dark faeries emerging.
On St. Patrick’s Day and Easter, they took on a kinder light. They brought luck and magic with four-leaf clovers and even helped the Easter Bunny!
What’s great in your life right now that you want to share, personal or professional? Some wins?
I am blessed to have my amazing guy who makes me feel like I’m the world. He is everything to me.
We are also blessed to have our three children who bring so much joy to our life…our gifts.
I love music and am lucky to have an online guitar group to help support me in my endeavors to learn guitar.
This writing group is a gift as well. I hope to get to a live event soon at the loft.
I’m grateful to be here to join all of you. Thank you.
We’re glad you’re part of this project! Have you ever been to Ireland, home of the Puca?
Have you been to the country where your mythological creature is from?
I haven’t been to Ireland but we plan to in the Fall when this anthology comes out!
Wow, I look forward to seeing the pictures! Thanks for your time, Maryellen.
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