Mary Monroe

MARY MONROE

Mary Monroe is the author of The Upper Room and God Don't Like Ugly. When The Upper Room was published, Monroe had this to say: "This is my story -- these characters are people I know, it's my life," Mary Monroe laughs when asked what her inspiration was for the novel. "I took [inspiration] om the people in my life. They were so colorful, it was a shame that the world didn't know about them." A storyteller since she was a child, writing came easy to her. So 15 years ago, when the images of her aunts, uncles and friends from childhood would not leave her mind, she sat down to write The Upper Room. "It wasn't the time for me," the author admits. Although the book garnered strong reviews, publishing for African Americans was sporadic. In the interim, Monroe continued to write. "I have about two thousand rejection letters. When [the market changed] it made it all worthwhile. ...Now the time is ripe with the renaissance of African- American novels and Monroe believes that she adds to the mix with her unforgettable characters. "I enjoy [the books that are out now] but those stories did not have my voice. However, they didn't represent me and those I know. Everyone's [experience] needs to be heard. I know my characters are kind of quirky, but that's my experience. "The reading public is now ready for my voice. I've been ready a long time."