Interview with author, Roisin Peddle.
I would like to welcome Roisin Peddle.
Roisin is a writer and journalist who has been
working on numerous short stories, and has just began work on her first novel.
Daniel Kaye. Where were you born, and where do you call home?
Roisin Peddle. I was born in
Limerick (to my Cork father’s shame) and I suppose Charleville’s home at the
moment.
DK. What is the name of your most recent book or WIP and
if you had to sum it up in 30 words or less, what would you say?
RP. It’s very much in
progress, and I don’t have a name yet. It’s about a girl who comes across a
dead body when she’s out walking her dog. It unleashes a nightmare for her and
her family.
DK. If you gave one of your main characters the opportunity
to speak for themselves, what would they say about you?
RP. Poor Grace, the main
character, would give me a punch for putting her through so much!
DK. Do you have plans for a new book, and is this book
part of a series?
RP. Definitely not a part
of a series. I’ve a few short stories on the go too, but I’ll finish this
before I think of anything else.
DK. Where and when do you prefer to do your writing?
RP. In the morning but
sometimes inspiration strikes late at night. Preferably somewhere with no
distractions, like Charleville library, wink wink.
DK. Laptop, desktop or pen for writing?
RP. Laptop usually, but
it does have the internet! So sometimes I write longhand. The main problem with
that is that it is sometimes impossible to read my own writing.
DK. Do you have any advice for other writers?
RP. Something has to
give, I’m afraid, be it TV or internet (my own vice). You can do it but you
have to sit down and write! And read loads, magazines, newspapers, fiction,
non-fiction. See how other writers put words together and what they make them
do.
DK. What books have influenced your writing?
RP. This particular book
is probably influenced, stylistically, by the likes of Nick Hornby or David
Nicholls, that sort of “I’m talking to you” realistic kind of voice. I like to
think anyway.
If this doesn’t sound
too pretentious, I hope it says something about Ireland today. There isn’t a
lot of stuff dealing with the Celtic Tiger and its aftermath.
DK. Is there an author that you would really like to meet?
RP. My friend once met
Terry Pratchett and I was unbelievably jealous. I’d have loved to hang out with
Oscar Wilde too. I think we could have a fabulous night dancing in the George.
DK. Do you have an e-reader, and do you prefer it to
traditional published novels?
RP. I don’t. I have the
books app on my ipod and I’ve read one book ever on it. I love physical books,
especially second-hand ones.
DK. Where do you prefer to buy your books?
RP. My favourite book
shop is Charlie Byrnes’ in Galway city. It’s floor to ceiling with books, just
paradise for any book lover.
DK. What book would you like to read again?
RP. It’s not a book but a
short story. I read it when I was a little girl. It was about a child with a
quirky grandmother who kept bees and when the grandmother dies, the girl,
Deborah, must go down to the garden and tell the bees. I’ve been looking for it
ever since and I can’t find it!
DK. What book are you currently reading and in what
format?
RP. Currently re-reading
Douglas Adams’ The Hitchhiker’s Guide to
the Galaxy in a big omnibus edition. I wouldn’t be into sci-fi but the
imagination and humour in these books is fantastic.
DK. What new authors have grabbed your attention, and why?
RP. One of the best books
I read recently was The Night Circus by
Erin Morgenstern. An amazing debut. I was so sorry to finish that book and
leave that world.
DK. Your thoughts on receiving book reviews - the good and
the bad
RP. Reviewers have a job
to do too so I don’t get writers who savage them. Opinions are subjective so
you can’t please everyone, but you should have a thick enough skin to take on
constructive criticism.
DK. If you were deserted on an island, who are three
famous people you would want with you, and why?
RP. Alexander Skarsgard
for eye candy.
Someone like Bear
Grylls or Ray Mears to do all the hunting.
Richard Branson so he
could get a Virgin plane to pick us up.
DK. Do you have a nickname?
RP. Rois.
DK. Did you have a favourite toy as a child?
RP. I had a little purple
lion teddy bear called Liony.
DK. An early childhood memory -
RP. I remember being in
London and dropping a toy handbag into the railway line at a Tube station. I
was only about three or four and I was bawling. A very kind Tube worker got a
big hook like a fishing line and gave it back to me.
DK. Any pets that you would like to tell us about?
RP. A cat called Milou
who is very pretty and knows it.
DK. What’s your poison?
RP. Vodka and white.
DK. Coffee or tea?
RP. Tea.
DK. Do you have a favourite food?
RP. I like all food but I
can’t live without chocolate.
DK. Do you like to cook, and if so what?
RP. I love cooking, it’s
relaxing. Thai curry is my speciality.
DK. If you had to choose - Starter or Pudding?
RP. Dessert all the way.
DK. What do you eat for breakfast?
RP. Cereal or porridge.
Fry when it’s necessary.
DK. Name three things you never leave home without (apart
from keys, money and phone)?
RP. My ipod.
Tissues.
A tin of Vaseline.
DK. Sleep in, or get up early?
RP. Sometimes you have to
sleep til noon, but generally early.
DK. Your favourite gadget -
RP. My ipod.
DK. Where is one place in the world that you would really
love to visit?
RP. I would love to drive
across America.
DK. One of your favourite quotes -
RP. “A little nonsense
now and then
Is relished by the
wisest men” Roald Dahl
DK. List three books you just recently read and would
recommend?
RP. The Night Circus by
Erin Morgenstern
Breakfast at
Tiffany’s by Truman Capote
The 13 ½ Lives of
Captain Bluebear by Walter Moers
DK. List three of your favourite all time movies?
RP. Grease
The Wizard of Oz
Mean Girls (my movie
tastes have not hit adulthood)
DK. Name a new movie you recently enjoyed or disliked?
RP. Saw Skyfall before
Christmas, loved it. Fantastic film.
DK. Where can your readers find you?
RP. Procrastinating.
My blog:
randomdescent.wordpress.com
Twitter: @randomdescent
I would like to thank Roisin for allowing us the chance to have a chat, and for giving us a
glimpse into their writing world.
