Maurice Carlos Ruffin went back to school to get a psychology degree so that he could put off paying old student loans.

Moonlighting Jobs

MCR: I co-owned a restaurant for 4 1/2 years. And like most writers, I teach, which pays a lot of bills.

What inspires your work?

MCR: Writing is my dream life. It's the only thing that allows me to be my oddball-self while producing work that thousands of other people appreciate. New Orleans and my people at home motivate everything I write.

What challenges have you faced when writing and publishing?


MCR: It's important to figure out why you want to write. Once you answer that question, you can get past the pretenses and into the buried treasure.

What advice would you give to writers/artists today who are "moonlighting" in order to support their art?

It's a requirement in today's market. If you're not independently wealthy, find a gig that doesn't make you too tired or too angry. Or if you do, use that in your work!

Maurice Carlos Ruffin is the author of National Bestseller, The American Daughters, as well as The Ones Who Don’t Say They Love You, a One Book One New Orleans selection, which was longlisted for the Story Prize. His debut, We Cast a Shadow, was a finalist for the PEN/Faulkner Award, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and the PEN America Open Book Prize. All three books were New York Times Editor’s Choice selections. Ruffin is the winner of the Iowa Review Award in fiction and the Louisiana Writer Award. Ruffin is an associate professor of Creative Writing at Louisiana State University.

Socials: @mauriceruffin
mauricecarlosruffin.com