Donna Russo Morin has given readers adventures in the decadent and dangerous French court and a look at the world of glassmakers in the 17th century. With her beautiful writing, detailed descriptions, and fascinating characters, Morin has definitely made a name for herself in the world of historical fiction.
Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Morin discovered a love of writing at the young age of six. As she grew older she became inspired by the political climate around her of the 1960's with feminism, civil rights, and the Vietnam War. She also became inspired by horror novels penned by the famed author, Stephen King. These inspirations can be found in her novels today.
Morin graduated from the University of Rhode Island and worked in marketing and advertising. She wanted to follow her dream to show her children that you need to believe in yourself so she finally became the writer and author that she hoped to become.
Morin has written short stories, book reviews, and has articles published in critically acclaimed publications. She also teaches writing. Her first novel was the award-winning "The Courtier's Secret" set in the court of King Louis XIV of France. The novel was followed by "The Secret of the Glass" which is the story of a young woman, glassmakers, and Venice in the 17th century. Her most recent novel is "To Serve A King" which tells the story of a woman torn between her loyalty to King Henry VIII of England, her need for revenge against King Francois I of France, and the fascinating French court.
Morin has also worked as a model and actress since she was 17 years old. She has appeared in television spots, print ads, and most notorious, Martin Scorsese's movie, "The Departed". She lives near the shorelines of Rhode Island with her two sons.
Most of your novels have been set in the French court. How did your interest in France and the various French courts come about?
Morin: It all began with my first novel, The Courtier’s Secret, and my obsession with Musketeers. When I set out to write that book, I had only a passing knowledge of these famous guardsmen. In order to decide upon the exact time in which to set it, I had to study a two hundred year period of French history. It was such a rich and fertile place; I became enraptured. Upon completion of my fourth book, my current work in progress, I’ll actually have two set in France and two in Italy. What they all have in common is that they are not set in England, a purposeful condition for two reasons: I’ve always tended to want to do what most others aren’t, and I hoped to reveal that these countries boasted equally intriguing histories.
Your first novel "The Courtier's Secret" is about a woman, Jeanne du Bois arranged to a marry a man she does not love, her cruel father, and her courage and bravery in the court of King Louis XIV. How did you develop the story?
Morin: A Musketeer story was one I longed to write since I was sixteen years old. I had seen the 1973 version of The Three Musketeers starring Michael York and Rachel Welch and I was addicted. I read every word Alexander Dumas wrote. I fantasized that I was part of the stories, but in my imagination, things were a little different. I wanted to look like Constance/Rachel Welch (who doesn’t…even now), but I wanted to be D’Artagnan/Michael York--she got to wear the beautiful clothes, kiss the beautiful men—but he had all the adventures, took part in the sword fights…saved the world. I wondered how a woman of that era could do it all, a quandary modern women deal with all the time; it seemed like an age old question. That’s where my story took root.
Jeanne Yvette Dumas Dubois is the real name of my best friend of almost thirty years, but the character’s attitude is most definitely mine. Her questioning of authority, her frustration with hypocrisy and the limitations upon women are all mine and they have been a part of me from a very young age—I am very much a product of the era I grew up in. Her inability to contain her thoughts from leaking out of her mouth is, unfortunately, also mine.
Your second novel called "The Secret of the Glass" took readers to the Venice court in the 17th century and the world of glassmakers. What inspired the novel?
Morin: Like so much of life, the story and the title really came to me in the most unexpected of ways. When Katie Couric became anchor of the CBS Evening News, I decided to watch to support her, even though I’m not a great fan of television news programs. Within that broadcast was a two-minute feature story on the glassmakers of Murano. One point in particular caught and captured my imagination: for hundreds of years the glassmakers of Venice were virtual prisoners in their own land, captives of a government determined to keep the prestige and profit produced by the glass for themselves. Within a half hour of viewing that story, I had a two page synopsis written, a plot that mapped out a story about a young Murano woman who must somehow save herself while protecting ‘the secret of the glass.
Your most recent release is "To Serve A King" about a young woman, Genevieve Gravois who is loyal to King Henry VIII and full of hatred towards King Francois I because she believes he is responsible for the death of her parents. How did this story develop?
Morin: I had always wanted to do a female espionage tale, had, in fact, developed a basic plot for one set during the American Revolution. But as happens, neither the market nor my editor (quite rightly so) supported the setting. Historical fiction set during the American Revolution is not only overdone, it’s not overly popular at the moment. Finding a truly unique take or plot for the period is very difficult. But I didn’t want to abandon the woman spy idea all together.
Fast forward a few years, and a mammoth amount of research into European history, and I find François I, the king of France during almost exactly the same years as Henry VIII reigned in England. I thought of what he and I had in common…in historical fiction, the Tudor stories tend to be a bit more popular than those set in other European countries, like mine. And while François was not only more powerful and contributed more to the world, he has always taken a back seat to Henry in terms of history of the period. These two kings, along with Charles V of Spain, were constantly trying to outdo and overthrow the other. In that, I found the context for my story
Your portrayal of King Francois is absolutely fascinating as you make him an intelligent, wise, and fair king. Why did you go about this portrayal and avoid the portrayal that history often gives him of lecherous and only pleasure seeking?
Morin: I’m not sure if I completely avoided the portrayal—and accurate depiction—of the lecherous and lascivious young man that François was; I made mention of it here and there. But it is that very destructive past that catches up to him in the time of my book. He is a man in his latter years, looking at the not too distant future and the reckoning with his maker that awaits him. The older François believes his hedonistic, self-centered past is responsible for all the tragedy he has suffered as well; it is a past that haunts him. This book is a story of intrigue, passion, murder, and betrayal, but at its heart, it’s a story of redemption. I wanted to explore the possibility that horrific losses and trauma could change a man, any man.
The relationship between King Francois and his beloved mistress Anne d'Heilly, Duchess of Étampes is particularly beautiful. Why do you think Francois was drawn to Anne?
Morin: François was a connoisseur of all things beautiful—art and architecture. Anne was the epitome of feminine beauty. But she was also his intellectual equal. For a man raised by aggressive, intelligent, and highly affectionate women, as François was, she offered him everything that was comforting from his childhood, as well as a sensuous and generous lover. His mother, the indomitable Louise de Savoy, brought Anne to him, and in that he had his mother’s blessing. There was nothing more François needed.
What other time periods would you like to tackle in future novels?
Morin: I would still like to set a book during the American Revolution; I am an ardent patriot in awe of the challenges and sacrifices the people of that struggle encountered and triumphed over. But I’m still searching for that unique perspective.
I am also determined to write a book (or books) set in the Gilded Age among the mansions of Newport, RI. I live just minutes away and have been visiting the mansions since I was a young girl. The lives of the Astors, Vanderbilts, and Rockefellers are as fraught with drama as that of the European royalty. I’ve begun some tentative research into the area and become more and more excited about it with every book I read.
Where have you traveled in inspiration and research for your novels and future novels?
Morin: I was fortunate to travel to the Chateau Versailles—the setting for The Courtier’s Secret—between the writing of the first draft and the final version. It was a very deju vu, goose bump moment; I had studied the palace so intensely, that I knew where I was even in the vast complex that is the chateau. I knew the names of the rooms, what function they served, and when they were built. It was as if I had actually been there before. Perhaps I was, in another life.
Though I haven’t traveled to any of the other settings of my books (though I am bound and determined to visit Venice before too long), I have conducted what some may consider untraditional research for each of them. For the first, I took fencing lessons, for the second, I learned to blow glass, and for the latest release, I learned to shoot a bow and arrow. For my current work in progress, I am studying evidence of extraterrestrials in Renaissance art work (I adore the confounded looks I get when I tell people that).
What other historical fiction authors do you admire or enjoy? What authors from the past and present do you enjoy or have inspired you?
Morin: I think it’s a prolific time for historical fiction, with some really great books and authors. My greatest inspirations in the genre have been James Michener and Diana Gabaldon. Others equally as influential are Rosalind Laker, Leon Uris, Colleen McCullough, and John Jakes. Sandra Worth, Christy English, Michelle Moran, Anne Easter Smith, C. W. Gortnr, there are some incredibly talented authors in the genre right now.
Lastly, of the female heroines you have written about in your novels (Jeanne, Sophia, and Genevieve) who has been your favorite?
Morin: This is a question I’ve never been asked before, and one of the hardest I’ve ever had to answer. All these women were created, in part, to exorcise a facet of my own life or personality: Jeanne fought against inequality for women, Sophia had to choose between family and personal happiness, and Genevieve had to fight against anger and hatred when faced with particularly egregious circumstances. Their challenges reflect my own and I am grateful for the outlet they’ve provided me. But if I had to choose one, it would have to be Genevieve, from my latest release, "To Serve a King". Her particular triumph—though not a typically one—was individually her own, dependent on no one but herself. It is as it should be for us all.
*A huge thanks to Donna Russo Morin for this delightful interview*
For more information on Donna Russo Morin: http://www.donnarussomorin.com/index.html
Donna Russo Morin's blog: http://donnarussomorin.blogspot.com/
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