The Memory Thief
In the city of Craewick,
memories reign. The power-obsessed ruler of the city, Madame, has
cultivated a society in which memories are currency, citizens are
divided by ability, and Gifted individuals can take memories from others
through touch as they please.
Seventeen-year-old Etta Lark is
desperate to live outside of the corrupt culture, but grapples with the
guilt of an accident that has left her mother bedridden in the city’s
asylum. When Madame threatens to put her mother up for auction, a
Craewick practice in which a “criminal's" memories are sold to the
highest bidder before being killed, Etta will do whatever it takes to
save her. Even if it means rejoining the Shadows, the rebel group she
swore off in the wake of the accident years earlier.
To prove her
allegiance to the Shadows and rescue her mother, Etta must steal a
memorized map of the Maze, a formidable prison created by the
bloodthirsty ruler of a neighboring Realm. So she sets out on a journey
in which she faces startling attacks, unexpected romance, and, above
all, her own past in order to set things right in her world.
Q+A with Lauren Mansy:
- What was it like to write your first book and have it published?
Incredible! It’s been such a wonderful journey filled with many
sweet moments. I began writing over seven years ago, and it’s definitely
surreal that
The Memory Thief is now on shelves! As of late,
there have been quite a few teary moments—and I’m totally not a crier!
I’m truly overwhelmed by every kind word, the support, and the
willingness to walk alongside me as
The Memory Thief has gone from something imagined to a real book. I couldn’t be more excited to share this story with readers!
- What was your inspiration behind TMT?
When I was a teenager, my mom was diagnosed with a heart
condition, which led to an unexpected heart surgery. On the way to the
operating room, her heart stopped six times, and the doctors warned my
family that it was unlikely she’d survive. And if she did, she may not
remember us due to the trauma she’d experienced throughout the entire
ordeal.
I was sitting at her bedside when she first began to stir
after her surgery, and I slipped my hand into hers and told her that it
was me. Then she began to squeeze my hand three times, our signal for I
love you! That’s my most favorite memory because I’d never felt such
fear suddenly overcome by the most incredible joy. That collision of
emotions was the moment which first sparked the idea for
The Memory Thief.
Ever
since then, I always struck by how memories make up so much of our
identity and influence our relationships with others. It terrified me
that my mom wouldn’t remember me, but I’m so thankful to say that she
made a full-recovery. Though it was long and difficult process, she
never gave up hope that things would one day get better. Her unwavering
courage inspired me to want to share this story.
- What kind of impact did writing TMT have on you personally?
Writing TMT has had a huge impact on me. I first began writing
after completing treatments for Hodgkin’s Disease, a form of lymphatic
cancer. It was a very difficult time in my life, and writing fiction
helped me express myself in ways that I’d never done before. It helped
me process through some of my most difficult memories.
When I
first began drafting The Memory Thief, I realized there were still some
emotions about being faced with the possibility of losing my mom that
I’d yet to express out loud. Writing this book proved to be a source of
healing, and a wonderful platform for exploring truth in my own life
through a backdrop of fiction.
This story is very dear to my
heart, and reflecting back on the process of writing this book is what
made the moment of holding it in my hands so amazing.
- What is your favorite part about TMT?
I think my favorite part is the relationship that Etta has with her mother.
Gwendolyn
was one of my favorite characters to write because she’s full of
opposites. Because of her coma, she hasn’t spoken a word in four years
yet that entire time, she’s been teaching Etta how important it is never
to give up, even when all the odds are stacked against you.
On
her journey to save her mother, Etta discovers that Gwendolyn’s story is
intertwined with Etta’s in ways that she never imagined. Writing this
aspect of the plot was so much fun, and definitely one of my favorite
parts of the drafting process, as well!
- What do you hope readers take away from TMT?
The main thing I hope readers take away is that it isn’t the
hardships of the past which define us but the strength we find in
overcoming them. Etta has been through a lot of difficult things, and
she struggles with trusting others because she has a hard time trusting
herself. At the beginning of the story, Etta has spent four years hiding
from both the people and events which haunt her, but to save her
mother, she’ll have to come face-to-face with the past. I hope her
journey will inspire readers to never lose hope, even in the midst of
impossible odds.
- How are you reflected in TMT (or, how much of you is reflected in the book)?
Because this story is based on my own journey with my mother,
many of Etta’s worries, doubts, and fears are things I also experienced
when faced with the possibility of losing my mom. The questions that
Etta asks about how to deal with a situation like this are questions
that I often pondered myself.
So when I first began writing TMT, I
thought, “What if I wasn’t the only one who faced this fear? What if
there was an entire society that feared their loved ones no longer
remembering them?” It was these kinds of thoughts which ultimately let
me to want to explore a world where memories reign over everything. Then
writing Etta’s emotional journey also helped me process through a lot
of my own memories, as well.
That’s one reason that I love not
only writing but reading fantasy novels. Even though these characters
live in worlds that are vastly different than our own, what they love,
hate, and fear can often be so relatable. That often sticks with me long
after I read the last page, and I’m incredibly grateful for the
opportunity to share this journey with readers.
- What is your favorite thing to do to promote your book?
My favorite thing has been getting to know readers. I had the
privilege of attending BEA and ALA this past summer, and I loved meeting
librarians, educators, fellow writers, bloggers, and industry
professionals. Writing can often be a solitary venture, but the
publishing process has been filled with creating some wonderful
relationships. I couldn’t be more grateful for this community!
- Why should readers be sure to place TMT on their TBR list?
The Memory Thief is a book full of secrets, lies, and betrayal.
It’s set in a world where memories are currency, people are struggling
to hold onto their true identity, and nothing is quite what it seems.
And Etta is a very flawed character. She has a lot of regret and has
made many mistakes, yet she never stops fighting to save her loved ones.
If any these things appeal to you, I hope you’ll consider adding TMT to
your TBR!
- What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned while being a writer?
I think the biggest lesson being a writer has taught me is the
importance of the “story behind the story”. Though the publication
journey is filled with exciting moments (like seeing the cover for the
first time and holding the final copy!), the journey of getting here has
changed me for forever. There have been highs and lows, moments of
uncertainty coupled with unexpected encouragement, and wonderful support
from family, friends, and even strangers! Writing fiction gave me a
voice when I was still struggling to find mine, and I’ll be forever
grateful that even as the last page of
The Memory Thief ends, my own life story is still being written
If you’re interested in learning more about
The Memory Thief, I have more information of my website, and I also LOVE connecting with readers!
Website: www.laurenmansy.com
Instagram: lauren_mansy
Twitter: laurenmansy
