About Maria N. Grechenko
My lifelong dream was to become a published author. Now that I’m blissfully retired, I finally have the time and opportunity to pursue that dream.
I've lived a full life: had a rewarding (for the most part) career; a long marriage (but not long enough) to a man I loved with all my heart; raised two children and am unrepentantly spoiling my grandchildren; I travel whenever possible. I live in a small beach community and write when inspiration strikes. Dream come true? Almost. But, as St Exupéry's Little Prince said, "rien n'est parfait," nothing's perfect. Still, I believe I'm finally living my best life...or something close to it.
Brooklyn Bound is not the book I intended to write; it's the book I was inspired to write. I spent years canvassing friends and anyone who would listen on whether I should take the leap into the Writing Unknown. An exasperated friend finally suggested that I stop at the local office supply store, pick up a few legal pads and a box of pencils, go home, sharpen the pencils and get down to business. I followed her advice. And left the paper and pencils on the table for a few months. My next delaying tactic involved my old computer and whining about it; that was useful until I was forced to buy a new one. I was out of excuses but mired in inaction. Until...
A typical summer storm blew through with customary fury. Once the sun peeked out of the receding clouds, I stepped out onto my deck to look for a rainbow. I took a deep breath...and was whirled back through time to summer vacations spent with my Papa. Out of nowhere, seemingly, I had the first line of the book.
It was the catalyst I needed; the rest of the book came relatively easily to me. "Easy" in the sense that the writing was easy; reliving certain episodes was emotionally taxing and even exhausting, as you might surmise when you read Brooklyn Bound. As the book came to completion, I realized that the story I have written might speak to many people --those with great fathers and not-so-great or absent fathers. And it might help heal their wounds as it did mine -- an unexpected blessing.
Brooklyn Bound is the story of the relationship between my father and me as a young girl. The lessons I learned from and through him have stayed with me and sustained me throughout my life. The book also explores family relationships and the lives of immigrants, like my parents, who faced so many challenges in their new country. Some former Soviet/Russian references in the story will be highly engaging to those interested in the subject.
If you find yourself falling in love with my father as you read, you have my permission to do so! After all, this book will focus on our story. My mother does appear now and then (and, let's face it, not in a very good light), but her story will be the subject of my second book. You will have the opportunity to learn more about her soon, so stay tuned to FB and Instagram and keep popping into this site.
If you've heard of the Little Mermaid (Ariel in the Disney movie), you might understand what it was like for me for a number of years when I "lost" my voice. In many ways, I remained voiceless, unable to speak my truth for fear of being embarrassed, ridiculed, or shunned. But Life is too short. Too short to be inauthentic, too short to pretend to be someone or something you're not. I'm blessed and grateful to have found my voice: a bit lower than it once was, a bit beaten up by life, but vivid and strong and true. So, as you read my writing, please know that I've spoken my truth in those pages. Something else you might like to know about me: I believe in it ALL. God, Archangels, Angels, Saints, Fairies, Elves, the Shadows of Those who have crossed to the Other Side. All of it, every single one, including the ones I haven't learned about yet. I believe in prayer and meditation (asking the question, listening for the answer). I know that I was helped by unseen "project managers" as the book progressed, and I have no doubt that Papa brought some buried memories back to life with a gentle nudge or whisper in my ear. I'm grateful to all who helped -- those I can see, hear, and feel, and especially those I can't. I'm grateful beyond measure for your help.
If you find yourself falling in love with my father as you read, you have my permission to do so! After all, this book will focus on our story. My mother does appear now and then (and, let's face it, not in a very good light), but her story will be the subject of my second book. You will have the opportunity to learn more about her soon, so stay tuned to FB and Instagram and keep popping into this site.
If you've heard of the Little Mermaid (Ariel in the Disney movie), you might understand what it was like for me for a number of years when I "lost" my voice. In many ways, I remained voiceless, unable to speak my truth for fear of being embarrassed, ridiculed, or shunned. But Life is too short. Too short to be inauthentic, too short to pretend to be someone or something you're not. I'm blessed and grateful to have found my voice: a bit lower than it once was, a bit beaten up by life, but vivid and strong and true. So, as you read my writing, please know that I've spoken my truth in those pages. Something else you might like to know about me: I believe in it ALL. God, Archangels, Angels, Saints, Fairies, Elves, the Shadows of Those who have crossed to the Other Side. All of it, every single one, including the ones I haven't learned about yet. I believe in prayer and meditation (asking the question, listening for the answer). I know that I was helped by unseen "project managers" as the book progressed, and I have no doubt that Papa brought some buried memories back to life with a gentle nudge or whisper in my ear. I'm grateful to all who helped -- those I can see, hear, and feel, and especially those I can't. I'm grateful beyond measure for your help.