Last Wednesday the lovely and talented Clodagh Murphy tagged me (I interviewed her a little while ago here). She, as many others have been doing, are telling us what their next book is about. And now it’s my turn.
But I need to start by saying the details of my next one have yet to be finalised. As soon as I know what it is, and my publisher knows what it is, you’ll all be the first to know. That’s a promise. So I’m going to change things a little. Instead of book details, I’m going to tell you about my next story. And that’s an exciting thing for me because, Weatherboy aside, this’ll be my first short story published anywhere other than in a book since Not So Perfect came out. So, away we go…
Where did the idea come from for the story?
As per usual, I have next to no idea. Somewhere in my head. I think I must have been thinking about the seeming unusual ways relationships can work.
What genre does your story fall under?
It’s a short story. It feels like a very Nik Perring short story. So, err, a bit weird with, I hope, a bit of heart.
What actors would you choose to play the part of your characters in a movie rendition?
This is something I don’t think I’ve ever thought of for any of my stories. There are only two people in it, a couple, a man and a woman, so the cast’d be pretty small. So, how’s about Tilda Swinton for the lady and Bill Nighy for the chap. Or Nathalie Portman (because, you know, she’s rather attractive) and Johnny Depp (because he’s cool). Or Brit Marling, because I think she’s brilliant.
What is the one sentence synopsis of your story?
Not really a synopsis, but… Sometimes all you need is each other. And a skip.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
The book will be a part of the brilliant Word Riot’s 10th anniversary anthology, which should be out around Christmas time. I couldn’t be happier to be in there.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?
Not very long at all. But it is only little. And I spent hours making it better.
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
As I said, it feels very much like a Nik Perring type of story, so definitely Not So Perfect and Freaks!. Not that I’d ever compare myself with them, but it does share something (I think) with stuff by Aimee Bender, Etgar Keret, Dave Eggars, Michael Czyzneijewski, Sheila Heti.
Who or what inspired you to write this story?
I don’t know. I think I just thought it was an interesting thing to write about.
What else about your story might pique the reader’s interest?
Possible references to S&M.
I’ll not tag anyone else in this because I’d love to know what ALL of you are publishing next. DO share!
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And, as it’s Halloween (I like Halloween, a lot) here’s me reading a spooky story I wrote a few years ago.