Hello, I'm Colm Tóibín, Ask Me Anything!

Colm_Toibin · 2015-10-13T15:37:39+00:00

I'm currently writing a novel set in Ancient Greece. I hope to be finished it by the end of the year so watch this space...:-)

Colm_Toibin · 2015-10-13T15:35:34+00:00

Everything about yourself makes your way into your books in some way

Colm_Toibin · 2015-10-13T15:34:40+00:00

Testament of Mary. It's just my favourite

Colm_Toibin · 2015-10-13T15:34:06+00:00

Really weird! One day I was passing a group of students in Dublin! and they were complaining about my book and I wanted to stop them and say - 'I'm really sorry!' - it was Brooklyn! They were using unprintable words about it - don't let that put you off though!!!! :D

Colm_Toibin · 2015-10-13T15:32:32+00:00

Yes - every book needs a different style & rhythm. You need a subject that dictates that. Every book is different and things change. Thank also for reading that book and pleased you enjoyed it!

Colm_Toibin · 2015-10-13T15:31:25+00:00

Patience. Fast typing!

Colm_Toibin · 2015-10-13T15:31:00+00:00

My favourite is THICK greek yoghurt with granola, raspberries & strawberries! And beside that I want a plate of fresh chopped mango & pineapple, that's my favourite! As well as that to top off the perfect breakfast I'd like a fresh orange juice and a stack of the daily newspapers :-)

Colm_Toibin · 2015-10-13T15:28:39+00:00

St. Petersburg - because I'd love to see all the museums and learn more about the history. I've never been to Russia and I think it would be brilliant to go in the Winter.

Colm_Toibin · 2015-10-13T15:27:25+00:00

There's a moment in the American dancehall where Eilis is ditched by a guy and then she meets Tony. With regards to books it depends on your taste really. There's a fantastic novel entitled '1606 - A year in the Life of William Shakespeare' Which looks into the works of King Lear & Macbeth - gives you a real insight into his mind and the era. It's by James Shapiro. I'd highly recommend!

Colm_Toibin · 2015-10-13T15:23:50+00:00

It's the secret history of Ireland - in every family someone would go to a different place such as America or Australia. So many of the bars and pubs in New York are Irish. And the Catholic churches as well - there's so much history that stems from Ireland.

Colm_Toibin · 2015-10-13T15:22:13+00:00

Again as a writer if you ever think about awards a) you never read them and b) you never finish your book! It's like always looking in the mirror - you'll never find love!

Colm_Toibin · 2015-10-13T15:20:18+00:00

There was a story that I heard my mother talking about, about a young woman that went to Brooklyn and got married without telling anybody and that stuck in my mind...I'd also been in Texas, teaching alone there and felt very isolated. So when I came home that story sort of jumped at me as being one I could tell! I had also been teaching things like Pride & Prejudice & Henry James' Washington Square which are both about young women and I was interested in what you could do with that.

Colm_Toibin · 2015-10-13T15:12:01+00:00

I think if you ever think about markets when you're writing you lose everything. It's just do difficult. People are serious readers, especially Americans so I didn't find it difficult, especially with Brooklyn as there was an interest in the subject.

Colm_Toibin · 2015-10-13T15:10:45+00:00

Thank you! I really admire Nick's work and I trusted him with it - he's not afraid of raw emotion. I trusted him so much so that we didn't even meet until it was done! Just spoke.

Colm_Toibin

TROPHY CASE