FAQ:

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Q: How does your family feel about you writing about Mormonism?

A: My own parents are generally supportive, which is a little surprising to me. They read my books, buy them, and send out emails to family and friends to tell them the good news. My in-laws are less supportive. That is, they try to be polite but don’t like the books and don’t understand or want to understand my problems with Mormonism.

Q: How does your ward treat you after the publication of The Bishop’s Wife?

A: Honestly, other than a handful of women who were in a book club with me at the time, I think they have no idea that the book exists. Deseret Book, the biggest independent bookstore in Utah, declined to carry the book. Many Mormons will only buy books there, so they don’t know about it. I suspect that my Huffington post essays would draw more attention, but I don’t interact with ward members on Facebook and those who see the essays don’t automatically assume that I’m the Mette Ivie Harrison writing them. So the short answer is, not much differently, to be honest. My wearing a rainbow ribbon and black dresses (in mourning) to church each Sunday probably draws more attention, but it’s rarely brought up.

Q: How do stay engaged with Mormonism even now, after the POX (policy of exclusion toward same sex couples and their children)?

A: Sometimes I don’t stay engaged. This is something I decide on a daily basis. Sometimes I just stand back and let myself accept that I’m not part of this church anymore and that I may stop attending in the near future. At other times, I love the people and the community so much, that I just try to make it work by staying quiet. It may not be what people expect since I seem like such a loud mouth on the internet, but in person, I tend to be very quiet. I rarely speak in church.

Q: Do you wish people would stop asking you questions about Mormonism?

A: Actually, no. I enjoy talking about Mormonism because I have lots of things to say about it. Of course, I’m just as happy to talk about triathlon, YA fantasy, writing and anxiety, or my kids.

Q: Do you get tired of writing the Linda Wallheim series?

A: I haven’t even come close to being tired yet and so that makes me suspect that I won’t ever. But maybe never say never? I feel like I’ve invented a series that is so broad I can do almost anything I want with it under the general umbrella of mystery and vaguely Mormon related. So I’m happy to keep going.

Q: Who is your favorite character in the series?

A: Samuel, by a long shot.

Q: Do you have a favorite book in the series so far?

A: I suspect it will always be the upcoming book. Right now, that’s Millstone, which is all about Samuel.

Q: Why do you sometimes leave books with open questions unanswered?

A: I’ve always done this, since I first started publishing. I like books that don’t have neat edges because it feels more like real life.

Q: Do you consider yourself an apologist for Mormonism?

A: I don’t. I know some people see me that way, just as the more orthodox see me as a heretic. I see myself as just an honest person, asking honest questions and finding unique answers to them that fit myself and my own life.

Q: What do you say when people ask you about converting to Mormonism?

A: This was really surprising to me when it started happening. I’ve begun directing people to the “Gospel Topic Essays” at lds.org to make sure that people understand there are thorny issues missionaries may not have brought up.

Q: What do you say when people ask you advice about leaving Mormonism?

A: This I expected more, but my answer is always to make sure that people are making a decision carefully and not out of momentary emotion, but that it’s in line with what they want and who they are in their lives now.

Q: How do your children feel about your higher public profile?

A: I think when my kids were younger, they thought everyone had parents who wrote books and it wasn’t like I was “really” famous. But as teens and older, they’ve had a number of experiences where they’ve met friends who admire my work and are fans. It’s kind of funny for me to watch them deal with that. I guess they think it’s cool.

Q: When do you think the Mormon church will change its policies on LGBT+ people?

A: I said from the 2015 policy that I thought it would be at least twenty years. I suspect it may be longer for transgender Mormons, sadly. And I thought I could wait it out. I’m not so sure anymore, and it’s only been three years.


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