An Interview with Marcia Kosar, Author of Innocence on the Move

Marcia Kosar’s enthusiasm for travel and outdoor adventures began at a very young age. Born in Hamtramck, Michigan–at that time was a modest Polish enclave surrounded by City of Detroit–she grew up in the ‘Motor City’ suburbs of Birmingham and Bloomfield Hills. Family camping trips, winter sledding and ice skating in her backyard, along with visits to her grandparents’ nearby farm where she roamed the woods picking wildflowers and mushrooms, were the delights of her childhood.

Marcia began her professional career in the medical field as a Radiologic Technologist (RT). A successful career in real estate followed. She holds Emeritus status with the National, State and Local Realtor Associations; has been a speaker at several National Conventions and has had articles published in Realtor trade magazines. Additionally, she collaborated with Howard Brinton–a giant in the Motivation and Education Industry.

Her passion for adventure continues to expand. To-date she has visited more than seventy countries. She is a member of “Sisters on the Fly”, a women’s group offering empowerment and sisterhood through exceptional outdoor adventures. And she enjoys photograph, riding her E-bike, and volunteering as an Assistant Stage Manager (ASM) for the Boulder International Film Festival.

Marcia and her husband, a retired pilot, have lived at the base of ‘The Flatirons’ in Boulder, Colorado since 1978. INNOCENCE ON THE MOVE is her debut work of fiction.

You can buy Innocence on the Move here.

What made you want to write?

To be honest I never thought I would ever write a book! For decades I felt the story should be told. Bottom line, I couldn’t find someone else to write it so that left me!

What inspired you to write this book?

The inspiration to write the book INNOCENCE ON THE MOVE came about ten years ago when and friend’s daughter and her fiancé (both in their early twenties) stopped by for a brief visit to Boulder, CO. They were on their first cross-country road trip going from California to Detroit.

After they shared with me the exciting things they had seen while in Las Vegas, I quickly started to tell them about the trip I took in 1971. Their enthusiasm, curiosity, and laughter propelled me to want to share the story. On a personal level, I was impressed that twenty-year-olds were being entertained by what a sixty-year-old had to say.

In January of 2022 I had just completed dealing with a three-year real estate nightmare and my right brain was screaming at me to do something creative. I looked over to this wooden chest where I stored all of the pictures, maps, and articles I had saved pertaining to our road trip. I said to myself, “Now’s the time!”

Tell us the story of your book’s title.

One of the first things I did during the writing process was to write my thoughts down on 5×7” index cards, which were organized by subjects. One of which was filled with words and phrases for the title. I was focused on words that were attention-grabbing, descriptive, and searchable. About six months into the process a close friend came up with the title that stuck–INNOCENCE ON THE MOVE. The sub-title …NOT the Road Trip you took with your Parents!, came quickly, adding a bit of description and showing a sense of humor.

What other professions have you worked in?

I began my professional career in the medical field as an X-ray Tech (RT) and I am grateful for every bit of medical knowledge I obtained. A successful career in real estate followed and I am proud to hold “Emerita” status with the National, State and Local Realtor Associations; I have been a speaker at several Realtor Conventions; and have had articles published in realtor trade magazines.

What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I’m an adventurous soul who loves experiencing new things, visiting new places, and meeting interesting people. My top three achievements are getting a “Hole-in-One” while golfing with one of my best friends, jumping out of a plane with a co-worker, and writing a book—something I never thought I would do!

What books did you read (for research or comfort) throughout your writing process?

Once I decided to write the book I went to the library and brought home a couple of how-to books. Since INNOCENCE ON THE MOVE is my debut book, I needed help figuring out what bits of information I had could be compartmentalized in distinct parts of the book. I ended up with three sections. The first part contained an introduction of the two main characters and the backstory of the late 60s and early 70s. The second part was the actual story of the road trip the two spirited young women took from the Detroit area to the West Coast. And, as a bonus, I included the last section of “What Happens Next…”

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book?

My main goal was to entertain the reader. If I hear a LOL, I will know I did my job. I also hoped the readers would get inspired to tell their own stories; to be inquisitive and ask those around them to do so, too.

How do you envision your perfect reader?

Anyone who is looking for a little escape from today’s “bizarre world” and ready to take an enjoyable step back in time. They could be 20 to 90+ years old. For those who are curious and have traveled in the past, I hope you have a chance to reflect on your own special experiences and bring those memories back to their rightful glory!

And, if you have only been dreaming of a road trip, my wish is that you are now inspired to take action. Should your personal budget be extremely tight, you might start small by just visiting a new park, library, or coffee shop. It is time to shake things up!

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

“GROOVIN’” by The Rascals (stepping back in time)

“WHAT’S GOING ON” by Marvin Gaye (perfect song for describing 1971)

“BORN TO BE WILD” by Steppenwolf (looking for adventure)

“ON THE ROAD AGAIN” by Willie Nelson

Collection of Motown by The Temptations, Smokey Robinson, and Marvin Gaye “ROCKY MOUNTAIN HIGH” by John Denver (honored by the connection with song’s inspiration)

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.