Where to start?! I tell so much about myself through my novels, whether it's the Marilyn series, or the Diary of an Angel series, or even in most my others novels, Lost in Maui, Nomad and Illusion... Although fictionalized, if you have followed me for a while, you certainly know that I draw great inspiration, generally, from my own life to write. In my novels, I am a real open book. Whereas in life, if I'm not asked questions, I don't really talk about myself.
I give very little importance to the past. But, I know that my readers, or newcomers to my site (or my pageFacebook author, on which I have been active for a while) like to know my background, my journey... Knowing who I am. Where I went...
I will therefore try to answer these questions in a few lines, here... However, I have had so many adventures and experienced many different realities during this same life (whether as an expatriate, or again, in my daily life as a nomad, in the past, or other... It must be said that I did not necessarily have a so-called "regular" life!) that it is impossible to summarize everything in this section. Let's just say that I still have material to write several other works.
In the meantime, if you want to know more... Read my books!
WHO IS MARILYN MONTPLAISIR?
My childhood...
I was born in Beloeil, on the South Shore of Montreal, where I also spent my entire adolescence. From an external point of view, I may not have had a rosy childhood. But, from my point of view, since it was the only childhood I had, it was just as well!
I have been around illness from a very young age. The illnesses, I should add, of my mother... Until her death. Then I tasted and experienced different facets of life. I got lost, here and there. Drugs, alcohol. My own health problems... Rape. Accidents. Toxic relationships. Verbal and physical violence... And so on! However, although I got stuck along the way, I always had an incredible internal strength that ultimately brought me back to the “right” path.
Through all that, after my high school years, I studied at the Cégep de Saint-Hyacinthe, in Arts and letters (literature field) and then I obtained my Baccalaureate es Artes at the University of Montreal, cumulatively, in communications, journalism and advertising. While I studied full-time at university, evenings and weekends, I also worked in a clothing store full-time during the day, to pay for my studies.
“In my novels, I am a real open book…”
As far back as I can remember, I have always written. When I was young, I scribbled down thoughts, little poems, my moods... Then, life, my surroundings, the “Matrix” and society made me take another path. In parallel!
I was told that writing was a passion. That I was going to starve! That I had to find a real job! So I looked for more “paying” careers related to writing. This is how “by default” I became a journalist. Now, I didn't like "sensationalism", disinformation, competition... That's why, among other things, I ended up in the editorial room of La Semaine magazine.
Then, one day, I woke up. I realized that I preferred to live “really”. Living from my passions, poor and happy, rather than “working” for income and security.
Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t hate my life either. It just wasn't that! I worked and worked... Now, I live and don't feel like I'm working, because I love what I do. Truly. Writing (and everything I also do on the side) is a passion. A vocation. And, it also became a mission. I want to inspire people with my story. My stories. My awakening. And, I want to help (guide) them in their own awakening and journey.
To learn more about my novels: visit my Shop.
The writer!
La Casa de Marilyn
In addition to being a writer, in my early years in the warm Costa Rican sun, I was also a host and owner at La Casa de Marilyn, where I welcomed my readers and travelers from all over the world.
A few years later, after having welcomed hundreds and hundreds of travelers, after having "revamped" the famous "casa", I sold it and then continued my quest on the dusty roads of Costa Rica, with Monsieur (Mister in french), my cat and faithful companion of the time.
While I was a hostess at house, I hadn't had the time to fully discover my beautiful little adopted country. I was way too busy with travelers, writing, maintenance, management... And so on!
Conquering the world...
After about four years in Costa Rica, I weighed anchor and headed for Italy. Listening to the signs of life and the opportunities that presented themselves to me, I wandered here and there, with the wind, around the globe, for almost two years... Italy, Switzerland, France, Nepal, Hawaii, Dominican Republic...
During this quest to discover the world, I, among other things, did volunteering with young children from a disadvantaged background in Nepal, for three months. I volunteered to teach English in a small village school. A most enriching experience at all levels.
After several months of nomadism and volunteering, I returned to Costa Rica for about two years. Then, to my greatest surprise, after more than eight years outside of my home country, I returned to Quebec, to put down some roots. I've been there for a little over a year... And, I still have several projects that are developing and coming to life! As always, I continue my journey and I trust life and my intuition for the future. Who knows where the wind will take me in the coming months...
While I was volunteering teaching English to children in a small school in Nepal.
