Emma Penruddock

Emma Penruddock is a short story author, whose stories have been shortlisted and longlisted for a number of short story competitions.  She lives with her quite grown-up children in a deserted cottage just outside the garrison town of Youghal, County Cork.

 

Q: If you could travel back in time, which of the great writers would you like to meet and why?

A: Love the work of Michael Ondaatje, Anne Michaels, Julian Barnes, Marilynne Robinson, which is here and now.  And further back, Elizabeth Bishop, and further again Virginia Wolf.  Aside from these so many, many others.

 

Q: Is there a book that you keep going back to, and if so, how many times have you read it?

A: I’m reading The Waves by Virginia Wolf.  I’m making the book take it’s time because I never want it to finish.

 

Q: What is the least interesting part of writing for you?

A: Sitting down on the chair, but once there I can stay for hours.

 

Q: What superpower would you like to have and why?

A: To find the interesting detail in everything.

 

Q: Who is your personal inspiration?

A: Inspiration is so important for me. Kicks start everything. I never find it in a single source; most often I find it in fleeting moments in a book, a film, a photo, something someone says.