You don't want to miss out on Sinéad's prize-winning story, "Ssh," which you can read here.
----------Interview by Renee Roberson
WOW: Sinéad, welcome! We are so excited to learn more about you today. You mention one of your favorite genres to read is horror. What do you think makes a good horror story and who are some of your favorite authors in that category?
Sinéad: For me, a good horror story is one that delves into the individual's psyche. People are a lot scarier than fantastical monsters in my opinion! So I love getting into the nitty gritty of why different people act in certain ways. So I guess I should specify that I love gothic horror more so than slasher gore. Slow-paced, realistic, and controversial stories leave the most unsettling of tastes in my mouth, which I believe is the true intention of a good horror story. In this regard, the horror writers I stand by the most are Shirley Jackson, Daphne du Maurier, and Ira Levin.
WOW: Yes, I love the exploration of human nature found in gothic horror, too! "Ssh" is a very powerful story that slowly builds tension before revealing a heartbreaking truth at the end. How did you get the idea for the story and what was the writing and revision process for it like?
Sinéad: This question is hard for me to answer, as I usually don't think too much before I start to write. I sit down, I open my laptop, and words come out. Obviously, the Me Too movement is very current, and was on my mind when I sat down to write this story. While I agree that the Me Too movement is necessary, it annoyed and still annoys me that it concentrates largely on show business. It is fantastic and powerful that celebrities are coming forward and endorsing feminism, but the lives of everyday working women (most women) have not been given as much attention. We live in a world where it is not strange to be slapped on the bum or whistled at on the street. We live in a world where I can't go dancing with my girl friends without forming a shield of protection around us. We live in a world where "no, thanks," isn't always enough. Simply wearing black is not enough to stop sexism. Opening up conversations and sharing personal stories is how we move towards change, however mundane these stories may be. Which is why I wanted to write about a normal working woman in 2018 who doesn't find it so easy to say "me, too."
WOW: That's such a great way to look at it, and important to note it happens everywhere, and not just in the entertainment industry. When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?
Sinéad: My dad was obsessed with computers, and he took me into PCWorld when I was about 5 years old. I had a browse through the games, saw one where I could create my own picture books, and I was hooked. Simple as!
WOW: Love it! Obviously you excel at flash fiction. Are there other types of writing you enjoy as well and if so, what are they?
Sinéad: I write poetry from time to time, but my main passion is story telling whether in the form of flash fiction or something a little longer. I am currently at work on a novel about how the individual comes to terms with life and death with a little eery twist to it.
WOW: That sounds fascinating. We'd love to hear a little more about your published work. Could you tell us a bit more about the pieces you've had published in The Attic and Ireland's Zine?
Sinéad: When I write poetry, I get caught up in the themes of home and nostalgia, so (surprise surprise), both submissions are about my home life in Cork, Ireland. My poem in The Attic, is about my dad's favourite song, "Harvest Moon," and how hearing that song moves me back in time. My piece in Ireland's Zine is more of a memory or eulogy to home and the piece of childhood that I can't get back. Writing poetry and writing prose for me are worlds apart from each other. Poetry is my way of expressing personal emotions that I'm experiencing, while prose is my way of escaping exactly that!
WOW: Thank you again for sharing some snippets of your writing life with us. Best of luck in all your creative endeavors!
2 comments:
Fantastic interview, ladies!
Sinéad, I loved your story, and it's such an important topic. I don't think I know a female who hasn't been sexually assaulted. It's sad, isn't it? It's so ingrained in our culture, and silence is a big part of that, so your theme is on target. The way you paced your story is excellent! Your character and the situation is realistic, and the imagery you chose all fits with the theme. You could've written this piece a number of ways but your pacing and execution was perfect, in my opinion. :)
I'm also a horror fan, and I prefer my scares slow-paced; I love reading/watching thrillers over any other type of story. Good luck on your WIP, and your poems sound lovely! Thanks for the interview! :)
Renee--Thanks for doing this interview.
Sinead--I think almost every woman can say "Me, too" or "It was almost me, too" or "Kind of Me, too." It's (sadly) just a part of being a woman.
What a powerful story (and the perfect ending).
Good luck with your WIP.
Post a Comment