An interview with
S. Tierney
Tell us one of your first experiences where you realised that language had power.
When I was at primary school, the teacher would read a story to the class at the end of each day. My classmates and I would all sit crossed-legged in a semi-circle on the carpet, listing intently.
One time, I was so engrossed, I peed myself.
In doing so I left a little stain on the carpet – which, according to my younger brothers, remained for some years.
I can't remember what the story was about. But the ending must have been worth peeing for.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would you say?
'Don't be intimidated by the classics.'
Growing up, I put off reading the great novels because I assumed they'd be too intellectual, and therefore too difficult for me to read. In reality, however, I've since discovered that the classics are classics because the opposite is true – they are remarkably easy to read. The Great Gatsby, for example, flows off the page like syrup, as does anything by Anthony Trollop and Sylvia Plath.
Have you ever written under a pseudonym?
No. I've always used my own name.
What kind of research do you do for whatever it is you’re writing?
It depends on the subject. If the story takes place during a particular time, location, or involves an historical event which is integral, then I read-up, watch-up and brush-up on as much information as I can find. But on the whole, I think it's more important to impart the feel of the subject when writing fiction, rather than bogging the reader down in the minutia.
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters of a different gender to you?
I can't say I've ever had an issue with this. The difficult part, overall, is moulding the character and discovering their voice. Once you 'know' the character and understand their motives, then writing them, whatever their gender, becomes easier – and enormously fulfilling.
Do you believe in the dreaded Writer’s Block?
Big time. Whatever I'm working on, be it writing or my design and illustration work, there are days when I can't get an idea to 'click'. I wish I had a cure to share with you! The only solution, I've found, is to grind it out and press on through. Persevere. Anything, however little, is better than nothing.
When I was at primary school, the teacher would read a story to the class at the end of each day. My classmates and I would all sit crossed-legged in a semi-circle on the carpet, listing intently.
One time, I was so engrossed, I peed myself.
In doing so I left a little stain on the carpet – which, according to my younger brothers, remained for some years.
I can't remember what the story was about. But the ending must have been worth peeing for.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would you say?
'Don't be intimidated by the classics.'
Growing up, I put off reading the great novels because I assumed they'd be too intellectual, and therefore too difficult for me to read. In reality, however, I've since discovered that the classics are classics because the opposite is true – they are remarkably easy to read. The Great Gatsby, for example, flows off the page like syrup, as does anything by Anthony Trollop and Sylvia Plath.
Have you ever written under a pseudonym?
No. I've always used my own name.
What kind of research do you do for whatever it is you’re writing?
It depends on the subject. If the story takes place during a particular time, location, or involves an historical event which is integral, then I read-up, watch-up and brush-up on as much information as I can find. But on the whole, I think it's more important to impart the feel of the subject when writing fiction, rather than bogging the reader down in the minutia.
What’s the most difficult thing about writing characters of a different gender to you?
I can't say I've ever had an issue with this. The difficult part, overall, is moulding the character and discovering their voice. Once you 'know' the character and understand their motives, then writing them, whatever their gender, becomes easier – and enormously fulfilling.
Do you believe in the dreaded Writer’s Block?
Big time. Whatever I'm working on, be it writing or my design and illustration work, there are days when I can't get an idea to 'click'. I wish I had a cure to share with you! The only solution, I've found, is to grind it out and press on through. Persevere. Anything, however little, is better than nothing.
