I was delighted when Ethel Rohan, March's guest editor over at Necessary Fiction, asked me to submit a story for the Irish-themed issue. I spend a lot of time in Ireland, my father and stepmother live there, and some of my most amazing writing-related moments have been at Anam Cara, the heavenly writing retreat in West Cork. The story that is now published, Graveside, represents a first for me: it is the first time I have had a story published with a character who has appeared in a previous story - Mary Margaret of Drinking Vodka in the Afternoon, which I was commissioned to write for Radio 4 for a week of stories in 2007 commemorating the 50th anniversary of the launch of the Sputnik satellite. And she wouldn't leave me alone, she kept clamouring for more about her. In Drinking Vodka... she is 16, in a small Irish village. This new story takes place many many years later. I don't think you need to have read the first story... I hope not. Anway, it's here. Thank you Ethel!
Also, I was stunned to find my book on this Booktrust list of 10 British short stories, in the glorious company of writing mates Vanessa Gebbie and Adam Marek, and the wondrous AL Kennedy. That's made my month, if not my year!
4 comments:
Yes, I saw the booktrust list. I'm so thrilled for you. So well-deserved!!
Wonderful to see Mary Margaret again. You're right to say that you don't need to have read the earlier story to appreciate this new one, but it did bring back memories of Vodka... Proving what a terrifically memorable character MM is.
Really loved that. You say so much with so little. Want to read the vodka story now!
Sue, thank you!
Sarah, thanks so much, it's lovely for me that she's out there again.
Eimear - so glad you liked it! The Vodka story isn't online anywhere, it was published in the Momaya Press anthology in 2008. Hmm, will have to see if I can get it pubbed online. Very different style...
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