1. When did you think about a career in writing and what were your first steps into it?
In 2016, I had an afternoon a week off work. I thought, why not try to do something useful with that time? So I went to Dublin each Monday to do an evening writing workshop run by Stinging Fly. Then Declan from Stinging Fly asked me to do a short story collection. In the short story world, an invitation like that from Declan is a very big deal. The collection Sweet Home came out, and that started me off.
2. Best gigs you’ve been to?
A surprising gig was Patti Smith doing the Horses album at the Royal Festival Hall in 2005. Patti Smith, believe it or not, I found underwhelming, but Flea was in her band. The Chili Peppers are a group I actively dislike, but Flea on this occasion was quite mesmerising. He looked so thrilled to be playing with Patti. But the best was the support act was John Cale.
3. Fantasy wedding/birthday party band?
Rory Gallagher, Barry Jenkins when drumming for the Nashville Teens, Tina Turner (with a special guest appearance from Ann Margret), Tina Weymouth, Nicky Hopkins on piano, and then thrown into the mix, Paul Major from Endless Boogie.
4. The record you’d take to a desert island?
Back In The USA by the MC5. I might be inclined just to chill in the sunshine and do nothing, but this would energise me to get up and build a shelter or go and look for some food.
5. And the book you’d take to a desert island?
I would take a copy of the Yellow Pages, preferably from the 70s or 80s. I’d look at the ads and immediately I’d come up with stories about the people and the places.
6. Top three films?
Rocco and his Brothers, Once Upon a Time in the West and Nil by Mouth.
7. Worst film you’ve seen?
Jonathan Glazer’s Under the Skin is not a bad film. To me, it’s a very good film. But it might also be a very confusing one, had someone not read the book Under the Skin by Michel Faber.
8. Favourite authors?
David Keenan, Kathryn Scanlan and Lara Pawson
9. Sport(s) you most enjoy and top team(s)?
I live with Arsenal and Liverpool supporters, but my sports activity is normally standing in front of the TV at a crucial moment in the game in order to annoy everyone. That said, quite incredibly, I get mentioned TWICE in Tadhg Coakley’s great sports book, The Game.
10. Ideal holiday destination?
Any city with a few nice old bars with wood and velvet, a couple of good restaurants, some streets with curious little shops, a couple of museums or galleries and an old-fashioned chemist.
11. Pet hates?
People who don’t say thanks to the bus driver when they get off.
12. What’s your favourite:
Dinner? Golden Elephant Thai restaurant.
Dessert? Something pineapple-based
Drink? Bozal Mezcal
13. Who is your best friend and how do you know each other?
I don’t really have one best friend. I have a small group of people, none of whom really know each other.
14. Is there a God?
We make our own gods.
:: Wendy Erskine will be appearing at the Belfast Book Festival on June 13 (with Lucy Caldwell and Yan Ge) and June 14 (with Deirdre Madden). For full programme and tickets visit Belfastbookfestival.com.
