Emma Donoghue reveals the addictive yet productive way she prosastinates
CBC Books | Posted: March 29, 2017 12:58 PM | Last Updated: July 24, 2018
Emma Donoghue is an Irish Canadian writer. Her books include the novels Landing, Room, Frog Music, The Wonder and the children's book The Lotterys Plus One. Room was an international bestseller and was adapted into a critically acclaimed film starring Brie Larson. Donoghue wrote the screenplay for the adaptation, and scored an Oscar nomination.
Below, Donoghue answers eight questions submitted by eight of her fellow writers in the CBC Books Magic 8 Q&A.
1. Timothy Taylor asks, "Does the novel still have a job in contemporary culture?"
Of course. And no one should specify what that job should be: it doesn't have to be limited to commenting on contemporary culture, for instance.
2. Alan Bradley asks, "Does the act of writing ever have a physical effect on you? If so, describe it."
Occasionally a hammering heart.
3. Tomson Highway asks, "If you were a musician, which instrument would you play? That is to say, which instrument would you choose to tell your story with?"
Piano, for the wide range.
4. Jordan Tannahill asks, "What is the most ridiculous thing you found yourself doing out of distraction/procrastination instead of writing?"
Duolingo. Not that it's ridiculous to try to improve my French, but it's ridiculous how addictive those little highs are when you get through a round without a mistake...
5. Jalal Barzanji asks, "How many times do you revise your manuscript before you submit it for publishing?"
At least twice — and at least one more time before it gets published.
6. Andrew Pyper asks, "Have you ever been surprised — deeply and honestly shocked — by the violence of a reader's reaction to your work, whether positive or negative?"
Oh yes — shaken by the strength of their identification with my characters and their insistence on the characters' reality.
7. Lori Lansens asks, "If you could have dinner with one of your literary heroes, living or dead, who would it be? Where would you eat? What, besides books, would you talk about?"
Shakespeare, in a barge on the Thames, and we'd talk about his complicated love life.
8. Jane Urquhart asks, "If you were forced at gunpoint to give up either reading or writing, which would it be?"
Oh Jane, what a brutal question! Reading. But there'd be moments when I'd hate the writing for having made me choose it over the reading.