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| Maggie King at a Virginia conference for writers in October 2017. |
In 100
words or less, describe your career.
I started out as a retail sales manager but spent
most of my career in IT, as a programmer/analyst, web designer, and PC trainer.
My best career is my current one as a mystery writer.
Where do
you live now and where have you lived since graduating?
In 2002, my husband, Glen, and I moved to the great
city of Richmond, Virginia. We live with our cats, Morris and Olive. After
college graduation in 1972 I lived in Boston (‘73-‘75); back to North
Plainfield (‘75-‘77); out to Los Angeles (‘77-‘96); back to the east coast,
this time in Charlottesville, Virginia (‘96-‘02).
What was
your sense of community in your class/in the school at NPHS?
I made many good friends during my high school
years, and our relationships endure.
What
experiences in high school, positive or negative, helped to shape you as a
person?
High schoolers are challenged with
giant social, personal, and physical changes, resulting in frustration and
anxiety—in other words, teen angst. I wasn’t immune and dealt with my angst
through journaling and writing really bad poetry. I still have the journal and
the poetry. And no, I’m not sharing.
The journal entries and the angst continued throughout my
life. In the nineties, I turned to writing mysteries,
often incorporating my strong sense of justice into my work. And my political
reps get a piece of my mind on a regular basis.
Do you
have any regrets about your experiences during your high school years?
I wish I’d been more serious. My mother always said
I had high potential and when was I going to reach it, or even approach it? But
studying and school activities (except for the social ones) didn’t top my list
of priorities. The opposite sex took that honor.
Now, 50
years later, has your perspective on your high school years changed at
all? If so, how?
This is the most interesting question that’s
been asked for this interview. Back in
the day, I didn’t expect that everyone I knew, classmates included, would have
an effect on my life, in big and small ways. But now I see that this is true.
Reconnecting at reunions and on social media has made this realization all the
more apparent.
What is
your fondest memory of your years at NPHS?
I performed a parody of Don Quixote for Spanish
class. It was fun and the students and Mr. Kianese enjoyed it.
What was
the craziest or stupidest thing you did in high school?
Lighting that first cigarette at age 14 in a misguided
attempt to be “cool.” I quit and restarted many times over the next twenty
years, but finally lit up for the last time in 1984. And no one thought I was
cool.
What was
your proudest accomplishment in high school?
Getting my driver’s license. Being that I was the
world’s worst driver—or at least North Plainfield’s worst—I was extremely happy
and grateful the day I passed my test. I desperately
wanted to drive. Before the day was over, I managed to back up into the car
behind me at a light and smash the guy’s headlight. He took pity on me and promised
not to report it if I paid for a replacement. Which I did.
My driving skills improved, but I can’t say I’m eager
to get behind the wheel these days.
Who was
your favorite teacher?
NPHS was blessed with wonderful teachers, so I had a
few favorites. Mrs. Charters for one. Not only was she a stellar English
teacher, but she didn’t put up with any disruptive students. I remember the day
she expelled the top three troublemakers. Too cool. I loved Spanish, so have
fond memories of Mrs. Mayer, Mr. Kianese, and Mrs. Meise.
Then there was Mr. Pecoraro (Algebra), Mr. Faulkner (Sociology), Mr. Radner
(English), and several others.
What was
your worst class?
Chemistry. Just wasn’t my thing.
What is
your most powerful or haunting memory during your years at NPHS?
When Miss Irene Hutnick died from a self-inflicted
shotgun wound at the age of 22. I’ll never forget the day Mr. Messer announced
it on the PA system. She had graduated in my brother’s class and was in her
first year at NPHS as a gym teacher. It was supposed that the recent breakup
with her fiancée led to this tragedy. This was probably the first time someone
I knew committed suicide.
How did
growing up at a child of the 60s – and all the social baggage and impact that
it may have entailed – impact you at the time and in your young adult
years?
I often
wish I’d been a hippie. In retrospect, it seems like such fun. But my family
was very conservative and my brother served in the military, doing two Vietnam
tours. They pressured me to be mainstream. Plus dressing well was very
important to me back then (it’s ceased to be). Let’s face it, hippies weren’t
the sharpest dressers.
That
said, I did partake in some of the excesses of the time. I’ll be vague about
the particulars.
Parting words.
Be well,
my friends. I look forward to seeing y’all at the reunion. Don’t forget to view
my website/blog, or connect with me on
Facebook (MaggieKingAuthor) or Twitter (@MaggieKingAuthr)
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| Maggie at 19. |
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