Kathleen Corcoran Turns a Lifetime of Memories Into ‘Northern Notes’

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — For Kathleen Corcoran, the stories that became her newest book had been waiting a long time to be told.

Corcoran, a journalist, poet and creative writing teacher, recently returned to Elaine’s Literary Salon in Old Town Alexandria to discuss “Northern Notes”, her second book. The collection brings together personal essays about her Midwestern childhood with reflections on contemporary subjects ranging from artificial intelligence to Canada.

“They’ve been banging around for a long time,” Corcoran said of the memories behind the book. Eventually, she decided “it was time to get the stories out.”

Last winter gave her the opportunity.

Winter and Writing

With cold weather keeping her indoors, Corcoran began writing. Once she started, she said, the words came quickly. She added “ Editing took considerably longer”.

Childhood Memories Come Back to Life

The first half of “Northern Notes” reaches back to Corcoran’s childhood in the Midwest. She writes about Catholic schools, nuns and experiences stretching from first grade through college. Many of those memories remained remarkably vivid decades later.

“I was surprised at how specific my memories were,” she said.

Corcoran believes childhood experiences can remain especially powerful because young people absorb so much of the world around them.

“Kids are just real sponges,” she said.

A Pink Rosary and Early Nun Mischief

One essay, “Her One Pink Rosary,” recalls a first-grade teacher who allowed young Corcoran to keep a rosary she had taken from the teacher’s pocket. Years later, Corcoran reconnected with her former teacher and discovered that the kindness and generosity she remembered had endured.

That warmth runs through much of the collection.

Finding Humor in the Past

Although Corcoran looks back on serious moments, humor also plays an important role in her storytelling. Her memories of childhood, school and family give her opportunities to revisit the past through an adult lens.

At the same time, writing the essays allowed Corcoran to consider how those early experiences shaped her. Decades later, seemingly small moments can take on new meaning.

The memoir-style writing also required Corcoran to examine her own life from a distance. Putting memories on paper, she said, allowed her to appreciate experiences differently after many years had passed.

Still, publishing personal stories can bring vulnerability. Corcoran acknowledged considering whether to remove one or two essays before ultimately deciding to keep them.

A Writer Since Childhood

Her background prepared her well for telling stories.

Corcoran began her journalism career as a radio reporter in Madison, Wisconsin. Over the years, she has written about public policy, technology, law, religion and health care. In collaboration with John Roach, she co-produced the Telly Award-winning documentary “Community Renewal”. She currently writes for The Zebra and teaches creative writing.

From Poet To Prose

Her first book, “Letter by Post”, was a collection of haiku. With “Northern Notes” however, Corcoran chose the essay form because it gave her room to explore memories and ideas in greater depth.

Writing, she said, has been part of her life since childhood.

From the time she began writing poetry in fourth grade, the impulse to put experiences into words has never disappeared.

“It’s something that’s been in my DNA since I can remember,” Corcoran said.

For Corcoran, that impulse ultimately comes down to connection.

“Writing is really writing about things that other people can connect to,” she said, “regardless of what their own experience may be.”