Author Talk: October 28, 2024
OF ONE MIND is a brilliant novel from JB Maerten in which the life --- or death --- of a teen with a traumatic brain injury could be determined by a controversial experimental procedure that may unlock a previously undiscovered level of consciousness. In this interview, Maerten talks about the inspiration for her debut work of fiction, how she developed the characters, what she hopes readers will take away from the book, and what she’s working on next.
Question: What was the inspiration or spark behind writing OF ONE MIND?
JB Maerten: The inspiration for OF ONE MIND dates to a book I read in 1988 by philosopher Ken Wilber, in which he discusses the concept of a Witness within us. The idea of the Witness resonated deeply. Over the years, I slowly nurtured my understanding by studying Buddhism and reading other books like the Bhagavad Gita. I learned about panpsychism, the concept that everything material, however small, has an element of individual consciousness. I came to the personal conclusion that there exists a benevolent consciousness in the universe to which we are all connected (an extrapolation of the personal Witness) and that someday science will find a way to objectively prove the existence of this subjective reality. Eventually, I decided it would be fun to write a novel about just such a discovery.
Q: How long did it take you to write OF ONE MIND? How did you develop the characters?
JBM: I worked on OF ONE MIND part-time for eight years, but there were a few breaks of several months duration during that time. OF ONE MIND is my first attempt at writing a novel, and so there were a great many false starts and major revisions along the way. In the original version, Owen and Kristen were not siblings, they were a married couple; Kyle was their son, and they had two other children. I ultimately eliminated four human characters and two dogs as I got clear on what I wanted to accomplish. So a lot changed along the way!
Q: What do you hope readers take away from OF ONE MIND after they’ve read the last page?
JBM: The technology that Rene used to make her discoveries is fictional (although there are researchers studying consciousness using ultrasound). My hope is that readers will be open to considering the possibility that there truly is much more to consciousness than can be explained by the activity of our biological brain. The implications of such a universal perspective are truly revolutionary.
Q: What has been the most rewarding experience of publishing your debut novel?
JBM: The most rewarding aspect has been writing the novel I’ve always wanted to read. The second most rewarding aspect is completing a project where every aspect, down to the last comma, was either my own creation or my own choice. I benefitted from much great input from professionals and from fellow writers, but there were no supervisors to insist on changes or whose approval was required. It was all mine.
Q: What are some of your favorite books?
JBM: One of my all-time favorites is REMNANT POPULATION by Elizabeth Moon. More recent books include THE MIDNIGHT LIBRARY by Matt Haig, WRONG PLACE WRONG TIME by Gillian McAllister, BEWILDERMENT by Richard Powers and TELL ME AN ENDING by Jo Harkin. And when I just want a satisfying mystery, I turn to the Three Pines series by Louise Penny.
Q: Did you always want to be an author?
JBM: I devoted the first part of my career to social services, working during the HIV/AIDS epidemic and later providing services to homeless individuals and families with children. Those endeavors were immensely satisfying. My passion for writing surfaced later and was influenced by my mother’s short-lived efforts at writing short stories when I was a teenager.
Q: Do you have any advice for people who want to be writers?
JBM: Go for it! The rewards of self-expression are worth every moment, whether one ever publishes or not.
Q: Can you share what you’re working on now?
JBM: I have a policy of keeping the topic of my writing “top secret” until it’s ready to be birthed. That said, the characters in the next book tackle another existential question through scientific research. Stay tuned!
Q: Will you come to my book club?
JBM: I get this request a lot, and I would love to join your book club. If you are interested in having me visit your club (in person or virtually), please email me at [email protected].
