Issue 30, Remnants

Issue 19: My Magpie Eyes, My Trampoline Heart: Author Interview and Reader Discussion

by Fringe Magazine • 08.03.2009

An interview with Claire Mapletoft, author of “My Magpie Eyes, My Trampoline Heart”:

Fringe: What was the inspiration for this piece? 

Mapletoft: Meeting someone who made me feel like I had a firework in my chest, and then later, the sudden realization that all fires burn out.

Fringe: How often do you write? Do you do it on a schedule?

Mapletoft: I am lazy about writing, but I have ideas all the time. In my head, I have thousands of stories, but on paper, very few. I try to schedule it into my day, but it’s irritating how often life creeps up on you and before you know it, the only story you’re writing is your tax return.

Fringe: How did you get into writing? How long have you been writing?

Mapletoft: When I was younger, I used to read books by the shelf-full and then organize them alphabetically. It was a natural progression then to record my ever so slightly over-active imagination. I still have diaries from when I was about seven, with whole novels based upon my rescuing a rabbit. I couldn’t imagine a life now without it.

Fringe: Is this piece typical of your work?

Mapletoft: As long as people continue having relationships, yes.

Fringe: Is Fringe your first publication?

Mapletoft: No, I worked as a reviewer for a year or two and every time I saw my name in print, I felt awkward. As though there was this whole world of cool that I still wasn’t quite invited to.

Fringe: What do you like to read? Who are your influences?

My favorite ever author is Joyce Carol Oates, who portrays the human condition like no other. I love Virginia Woolf, and my biggest wish is to be able to describe the world the way she can.

Fringe: What do you hope the reader gets out of this piece? 

To realize that heartbreak looks like gold sequins rather than a black hole.

Your turn. Click on discuss to share your thoughts on My Magpie Eyes, My Trampoline Heart.

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Fringe: it’s the noun that verbs your world, and the magazine you’re reading. We publish work that is political or experimental in form or content and define both “political” and “experimental” broadly. “Political” can mean work that incorporates or comments on current events or it can mean literature and art that further personal dignity and advocate human rights. We regard “experimental” work as work that breaks with the canon, takes formal risks, or explores a strange or impossible point of view.


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Comments Feed10 comments
  • Jay Shaft • Thursday, August 6, 2009 • at 10:08 am

    Just One word to describe such a great post “WOW” that was a very interesting read

  • Kylie Scott • Friday, August 7, 2009 • at 3:39 am

    Claire, that is too stunning, I absolutely adored it. It is so fresh and your descriptions were fantastic. Where can I read more of your work?

    Kylie

  • Claire Mapletoft • Friday, August 7, 2009 • at 10:45 am

    Hi Kylie,
    Thank you so much for your comment. I am currently thinking/working on something at the moment, and I always need proof readers if you are interested?
    Claire

  • Claire Mapletoft • Monday, August 10, 2009 • at 8:50 am

    Hi Jay,
    Sorry I missed your post. Don’t think I’m rude :)

    Thank you.

  • Nadzirah Norazman • Saturday, August 22, 2009 • at 6:45 am

    An incredible read. I have never read a piece so emotive and thought-provoking. It was as though with every sentence, I could feel every emotion and understand every metaphor. Beautiful.

  • Claire Mapletoft • Monday, August 31, 2009 • at 1:22 pm

    Dear Nadzirah,
    Thank you so much for your comment. Believe me, it made my cold English heart beat a little faster :)
    C x

  • Liz Minvielle • Friday, October 2, 2009 • at 2:48 am

    I loved your descriptive characterization. You really bring out the reality of peoples humanistic behavior. The characters in your short story ought to go on & on!!!

  • Claire Mapletoft • Wednesday, October 7, 2009 • at 10:34 am

    Believe me, they did. I ‘m still alive and I believe he is, somewhere ;)

  • Trampoline Safety Nets • Tuesday, March 16, 2010 • at 9:31 am

    Lovely article.

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