Entertainment

Martina Devlin on witchcraft, Tyrone GAA and Chubby Checker

Jenny Lee puts performers and artists on the spot about what really matters to them. This week, Tyrone author Martina Devlin

Author Martina Devlin will be reading at the John Hewitt International Summer School in Armagh
Author Martina Devlin will be reading at the John Hewitt International Summer School in Armagh Author Martina Devlin will be reading at the John Hewitt International Summer School in Armagh

1. When did you think about writing as a career and what were your first steps into it?

I was drawn to storytelling from an early age – but I didn’t think I could earn a living from it so I went into journalism. But when my first short story won a Hennessy Literary Award I thought, maybe I can.

2. Best gigs you’ve been to?

U2 in Nice. The concert was good, but what made it memorable is the inspiration I had there for a short story, after meeting a stranger who claimed I was descended from the reptilian bloodline.

3. Fantasy wedding/birthday party band?

The Bee Gees. They’ve stood the test of time and they wrote a song called Words.

4. The record you’d take to a desert island?

Let's Twist Again by Chubby Checker because he literally taught me how to do 'the twist' when I interviewed him in London years ago.

5. And the book?

Samuel Pepys' diaries. It transports you to 17th century London.

6. Top three films?

I have a soft spot for Breakfast at Tiffany's. The film rights to my witchcraft novel, The House Where It Happened, have sold and a script has been written, so one day I’d like to include it amongst my favourite films.

7. Worst film you’ve seen?

Any bang-bang pow-pow film.

8. Favourite author?

David Park is a talented, compassionate and, above all, beguiling author – he has an understanding of the human heart.

9. Sport you most enjoy and top team?

My life tends to be a sport-free zone. But I make an exception for the Tyrone GAA team.

10. Ideal holiday destination?

India is next on my list.

11. Pet hate?

Injustice – large and small.

12. What’s your favourite:

Dinner? Risotto or pasta.

Dessert? I’m susceptible to white chocolate.

Drink? Fizz of any kind. An ex taught me how to open Champagne corks, saying I’d always remember him when I did it – and he was right.

13. Who is your best friend and how do you know each other?

I have several close writing friends – Sarah Webb and Lia Mills, in particular..

14. Is there a God?

There is kindness. Perhaps that’s godlike.

:: Martina Devlin, author of About Sisterland, will be reading at the John Hewitt International Summer School in Armagh on July 28 at 1.30pm. (johnhewittsociety.org).