Maggie Hill

Maggie Hill’s essays and non-fiction pieces have been published in The New York Times, The New York Daily News, and Scholastic professional magazines. Current publications include Lakeshore Literary Review, Cleaver Lit Mag, Embark Literary, and Persimmon Tree. She has been the recipient of several artist fellowships and residences, including Yaddo, Ragdale, and Prospect Street. Sunday Money is her first novel. Maggie resides in Rockaway Beach, New York.

 Facebook: @LitMag

Is there a genre of music that influences your writing/thinking? Do you listen to music while you write?

I listened to a lot of Marvin Gaye and Sly & the Family Stone with my current novel. The next one, a thriller, has Leonard Cohen’s influence all over it. Sometimes to just get started, I’ll listen to a compilation of French “chill” music. It’s lifting, but not intrusive at all.

Is there a work of art that you love. Why? Have you ever visited it in person?

I didn’t know I loved this work of art until I stood in front of it. It’s L-Absinthe (The Absinthe Drinker) by Degas….when I viewed this, I felt the presence of both subjects like,  breathing, right in front of me. I felt like I knew their whole life story. They’re in a bar, it’s late 1800’s, the woman is clearly half-drunk, depressed, life hasn’t been good to her. The man is next to her, but in his own world, and that world confuses and disappoints him entirely. It’s such a profound type of emptiness that’s being conveyed. I love it because of the invitation to ‘see’ them in all their quiet, dark despair.

What period of history do you wish you knew more about?

I can’t get enough of World War II, seriously anyplace in the world. London, Paris, Rome, Tokyo….I’m appalled, fascinated, anxious, hopeful with all the human stories. 

Vacation druthers… City or Rural destination? Why?

City. Because of museums, churches, restaurants, bicycle paths, noise, lighting, energy.

What piece of clothing tells the most interesting story about your life?

I love this question because it’s impossible. But I do love me some shoes….the story they tell is how my shoes go on my feet, which walk me where I’m headed that day or night. Sometimes my personal field of attraction lies in my feet. What I’m wearing – high heels, athletic sneakers, cool loafers, puffy boots, snuggly slip-ons – tilt my behavior toward how I describe the shoes.