Mollie Cox Bryan

MOLLIE COX BRYAN is an award-winning writer and poet. She is a frequent contributor to GRIT magazine and has penned essays and articles for NPR's "Kitchen Window," Taste of the South magazine, and Virginia Living magazine. She is also a family life columnist for a local newspaper in Staunton, Virginia. She lives with her husband and two daughters in Waynesboro, Virginia. THE AUTHOR SCOOP

What was your first job?I worked at a little country restaurant/truck stop called “Mary’s” in Raccoon Township. I scooped ice cream and made donuts, which I loved because I could make the icing any color I wanted and decorate it creatively. Eventually I was fired for my inefficiency—I used too many nuts and sprinkles.  Do you eat your vegetables?I am a vegetarian and can’t think of a vegetable that I don’t like. Who would you cast as yourself in a movie of your life?Myself—Kerri RussellMrs. Rowe—Maggie GyllenhaalAre you "six degrees of separation" away from anyone famous?My grandfather’s cousin was Jean Harlow. What did you want to be when you grew up?I’ve always been a writer, but I have had some other ambitions, like dancing and acting. One time, when I was 14 or 15, the circus came to town and I decided I wanted to join as an acrobat. I even got the application, and filled it out, but because I was under age, I needed my mother’s legal consent. Of course, that did not happen.