In the latest in our weekly book series, author NUALA O’CONNOR tells SOPHIE GRENHAM about why she will never leave BALLINASLOE, why she loves EMILY DICKENSON and her tips for UPCOMING WRITERS looking to get published …
Dublin-born fiction writer and poet Nuala O’Connor has credentials that would put most industrious creatives in the shade. Also known as Nuala Ní Chonchúir, she has published four short story and three poetry collections, as well as three novels. Her critically acclaimed second book, The Closet of Savage Mementos (2014, New Island), was shortlisted for the Kerry Irish Novel of the Year Award 2015.
A fluent Irish speaker, Nuala holds a BA in the language from Trinity College Dublin and an MA in Translation Studies (Irish/English). She occasionally teaches creative writing classes and for the last four years has mentored third year students on the BA in Writing at NUI Galway.
This summer, Nuala’s stock shot up significantly when Penguin USA, Penguin Canada and Sandstone (UK) published her mesmerising third novel Miss Emily. This captivating story draws us into the secret life of iconic poet Emily Dickinson through the eyes of her Irish maid. Miss Emily was shortlisted for the Bord Gáis Energy Eason Book Club Novel of the Year 2015.
Nuala lives with her husband and three children in East Galway. She is currently working on a new novel.
On her Galway home
I live in Ballinasloe town, in a 1930s house on a small cul-de-sac overlooking the show-ground; it’s a lovely place, the perfect combination of peace and proximity to the town. When we were house-hunting we were at an event in the show-ground and I could see Mountpleasant perched above. ‘That’s where I want to live,’ I said to my husband and luckily a house came up. We were going to move recently, to gain space, but we built on instead. We’re happy here. My favourite Ballinasloe establishment is Kariba’s Restaurant and Coffee House – apart from the super-friendly owners and staff, the food is great and there’s a warm atmosphere.
On her creative haven
My desk is in my bedroom – I had a study but it’s my daughter’s room now. My desk is old and compact with a handy drawer. It was made and sold by Beverly Smyth and Company, South Anne Street, Dublin, many moons ago. It’s a mess of notes, lip balm, notebooks, diary, pens, dictionary, lit mags. The bookshelf beside it holds my collection of blue glass paperweights and favourite books. On the wall are photos of Emily Dickinson, Sylvia Plath and Belle Bilton, who I am finishing a novel about at the moment.
On seeing a book through
For me it’s a matter of committing to the project of it and going to the desk five days a week without fail. I tend to research as I write so there is variety to what I am doing. I usually have a confidence-wobble about halfway through a novel, but I know to push through and I eventually find my way to the end.
On local book sellers
I love Kennys and Charlie Byrne’s in Galway city. Each of these bookshops is a great mixture of new and second-hand books, so you never know what loveliness you will find on the shelves. The people who work in both shops adore books and it shows – they love to talk literature and recommend new titles, and they are very supportive of local writers.
Blackbird Books in Navan, a new shop, is also gorgeous – a carefully curated selection by two book lovers, and great tea and cake too.
On the authors that inspire her
I have so many favourites. I owe a debt to Edna O’Brien, Anne Enright, Mary Morrissy and Éilís Ní Dhuibhne, all of whom I read with enjoyment as a committed reader and beginner writer. They helped me understand how to write Ireland as a woman. My childhood home was full of books – I grew up on a diet of Austen, the Brontës, Maugham, Lawrence, Behan, McGahern. I just read JP Donleavy’s The Gingerman – it’s bawdy and hilarious and made me nostalgic for Dublin, my hometown.
On Emily Dickinson
She was a maverick, a woman who was sure of her abilities and the path she had to take to pursue her writing. Emily Dickinson did not write like the writers of her time – her vision and execution were unique. She had great insight and humanity and we can all learn from that.
On publishing
Forget about trying to get published and spend a few years writing, to see what it is you want to say. Write about things you are passionate about. Ignore the market. Attend writing workshops. Join a writers’ group. Be supportive of your peers. Read like a maniac.
Miss Emily (€14.20) and The Closet of Savage Mementos (€13.99) are available from all bookstores nationwide.
Image by Emilia Krysztofiak
Sophie Grenham
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