A Conversation with Matt Mallinson

Matt Mallinson, Author of The Writer Upstairs
Independently Published (2023)
ISBN: 978-1312459212

Matt Mallinson has dedicated himself to preserving and promoting American history. Living on the oldest road west of the Mississippi River, he has been a vital member of the Oregon California Trails Association (OCTA), serving on the Board of Directors. Matt’s contributions to OCTA include the development of an educational curriculum used at the middle, high school, and collegiate levels, providing valuable insights into life on the trails during the early development of the United States.

Matt has spent decades writing in various capacities. Drawing inspiration from early books and diaries written by trail travelers, he believes in the importance of understanding and teaching history. Matt’s love of writing and deep connection with history have culminated in the creation of historical fiction novels, which intricately weave together the captivating stories of mountain families and their present-day descendants.

Hi Matt! Welcome to Reader Views! Tell us a little about your writing journey. (When did you start writing? Have you always wanted to be an author? What made you decide to actually sit down and write a book?)

I have been writing professionally for decades, being published in several national and international Pharmacy journals. I own Past to Present Research Company, a company that has published some 40 books on historical homes. I wanted to do something that expressed my love of nature, history, chemistry and our earth’s challenges all in one writing. I chose to put this all in a series of novels.

What is The Writer Upstairs about?

Deep in the vastness of the great plains, fate brings together a reclusive chemist and a mysterious woman who emerges from the boundless forest surrounding his mountain cabin. Their lives intertwine as they discover a connection to the power of nature and a shared past far more improbable than they ever imagined. Now, they must uncover secrets the forest has kept hidden for centuries in the hope of taking humanity on a new path, with the future health of the planet in their hands. Can they unlock the knowledge hidden in Mother Nature? Will humanity have a future? A deep driving story of science, history and hope.

What was your motivation for the storyline?

History is constantly evolving as new information can be discovered. All of history needs to be shared, not just what one wants to be shared. Hopefully these stories will encourage further exploration and discussions into certain topics. We live today, preparing for tomorrow, based on the knowledge that we learned from yesterday. Without the knowledge of yesterday, we cannot properly prepare for tomorrow. Without proper preparation, yesterday will be repeated.

How did you create your characters and what motivates them?

My characters are smart people that care about our earth, much like most of my friends, and dare I say, like I believe our readers are and will be. Their motivations are, just like my friends, to make our world a better place and find ways to co-exist with Mother Nature.

The woman in your book seems to have a deep connection with an oak tree. Can you give us some insight into what this tree represents to her?

This answer is probably best answered in the depth of the book. She seems to still be trying to figure this out herself.

The chemist is a man of science, living in isolation. How does his world change when this stranger walks into his life?

His world is totally turned upside down and inside out. In some way, maybe he was ready for this encounter…just maybe!

You weave together scenes from wild woods and urban landscapes. Can you share how these different settings shaped the experiences of your characters and influenced your story?

Some people need two lives, one to work in, one to get away from everything so they can fall into another mindset and reset their psyche. That is the best way to describe the way the main character has learned to cope with his life and profession.

The Writer Upstairs provides a fresh perspective on the relationship between humanity and nature. What are your personal thoughts on this theme?

Mother Nature does not need humanity, humanity needs Mother Nature!

Can you talk about the inspiration behind this portrayal of nature as an almost sentient being?

We as humans certainly do not know everything. Just because you cannot see something does not mean it does not exist. Just because one cannot hear a sound, does not mean that that sound was not made. Humans experience sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. Shouldn’t we assume that other senses exist? We have all seen a flock of birds take off at the same moment and know that geese fly south. Shouldn’t we allow our senses to accept other experiences, maybe ones that have been stored in our strands of DNA? Much like the animal kingdom, maybe we should just accept certain things as possible.

Why did you choose nature as a catalyst for character growth?

I remember my late Mother always saying, “If only trees could talk.” Her voice has resonated that message to me all my life. When I decided to write this book, she was still whispering in my ear.

What kind of research was involved in creating your story?

I live within a mile of Wayne City Landing, one of the most used ports on the Missouri River to offload travelers on their way towards Independence from the 1820s to 1851. I live on the oldest road to the west of the Mississippi River. I have the first natural springs that the travelers stopped at on their way to Independence. I grew up on an 1850’s family farm. Through my family stories, I have lived the history. I have been on the BOD of OCTA (Oregon California Trails Association) and have studied the diaries of the trails’ travelers. All of these life experiences have helped me formulate these stories.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your book?

The depth of the plight of our Native Americans.

What kind of reaction to your writing do you most seek from your reading audience?

I want my readers to enjoy these books. I want to provide topics for them to think about and discuss with their friends. I want them to realize they can enjoy the history of our nation.

What do you like to read and which authors have inspired your own writing?

I really enjoy the works of Michael Crichton, Dan Brown, and Greg Iles. Those that have read my books compare my writings to the combination of these three. Research of the first, relatability of the second, with intrigue and excitement of the third.

What do you like to do outside of writing?

I am a Doctor of Pharmacy and still work full-time in the Pharmacy. I very much enjoy going to work each day and helping people understand their ailments. I also have a lake house outside of Warsaw, Missouri. I enjoy fishing as well as hunting. Gardening is one of my passions, trying to have ripe tomatoes by Father’s Day each year. All of my passions seem to revolve around my winemaking. I have been making wine since I was a late teenager and now own a Winery, Mallinson Vineyard and Hall. By owning a winery I roll all of my other endeavors into one.

What are your plans for future writing projects?

I am polishing books two and three now, making sure everything weaves well together. I am well into writing book 4, with books 5 and 6 already outlined. Where will they end? Only time will tell.

Based on your debut experience, what advice can you offer aspiring authors?

Define your audience that you want to reach, determine your topics, and write what you are comfortable with.

Is there anything you’d like to add today?

Every species on our earth has an expiration date. Something happens to cause a disruption in its life cycle. A reproductive system fails to continue, a needed vitamin, electrolyte or trace element disappears, a threatening predator invades and annihilates an existence, or something of the like destruction, and all of a sudden that species has disappeared. We as humans need to look closely at what our signs are. When the world has had more population than Mother Earth can produce for, Mother Nature has always sent down a great equalizer, such as the bubonic plague. Mother Nature may not have to do that again, man may take care of the problem by themselves.