Interview with a former DNOTY

I managed to catch up with Inkpot during a fleeting visit of hers to Dublin, and seized the opportunity to interview for the Nodpots. It was a fine though cold day and she was recently back from an invigorating adventure in Marley Park with her dog Janna, and friends Gilbert and Tramp. However, she was very amiable and willingly answered the list of questions I had prepared earlier.


How long have you been writing for?

Well, a long time. Since I was a little child.


What got you interested in writing, and when?

I grew up in a very creative family, where literature was very important. Probably one of my first writing endeavours was The Blackrock Bosh – no (laughs) the Theotokos Times. Though possibly I wrote my H poem first. I know that the BB inspired me to start the TT. From there I was further encouraged in my writing pursuits by my sisters Valpot & Micpot, who often wrote stories with me.

So is the H poem the first known work of Inkpot?

Well. Pit the Pony is very old. The Bosh printed much of my early writing. I think I may have written letters saying how much I loved the BB, before I could write sense (Giggles)

Why did you persevere?

Why did I persevere? I enjoyed it so much. I enjoy creating worlds and writing about characters doing nasty things.


What is it you like about writing?

What do I like about writing? I like…(thinks deeply) making up stories and worlds which are governed by the rules and magic of my imagination.

You mean somewhere you can control things?

Yes

Who/what are the biggest influences on your writing?

Well, Michele described in detail The Lord of The Rings to me at a young age and reading the hobbit hundreds of times made me want to especially write fantasy. My love of horror blossomed at a very early age watching Vincent Price in the Waxworks.

Yet 7 Days in Hell is your first horror?

It is my first horror but I feel that even in my fantasy books, I’ve a lot of horror elements.

The shadow followers?

Yes, the shadow followers, and for those who have read the Bobbit, Verga and the creatures of the verg.

Favourite authors/genres? Obviously horror and fantasy?

And science fiction. Geri Valentine and Valinora Troy, of course, would be my favourite writers, and I have to mention Tolkien. Bram Stoker – Dracula is one of the best horror books ever written. More modern authors include - I really enjoy the works of Garth Nix and Dean Koontz, and while they are not in the genre, I mustn’t neglect to mention Jane Austen, Thomas Hardy, PG Wodehouse, and Charlotte Bronte.

Where do you get your ideas?

Many people have asked me that. Like all writers, I find it a very difficult question to answer, so I would refer you to the websites of Dean Koontz and Garth Nix, who have much wittier and more eloquent responses than I could ever give.

So you don't know? (Laughs) Only joking – very humble of you. What is the hardest thing about writing in your experience?

Getting published.

What do you like best about it?

What do I like best about writing? It’s just so much fun.

What advice would you give aspiring writers?

Em…keep aspiring.

Which is your works is your favourite and why?

The next book I’m going to write, because I haven’t written it yet.

And of those you have written?

I feel that it would be unfair of me to pick.

Unfair on whom?

It’s like asking a parent which is their favourite child.

What do you do for relaxation?

I find reading very relaxing.

Hopes and aspirations for the future?

To get published. Make a living from writing.

How did you feel about Mungo winning the DNOTY 2006?

I am very happy for Mungo and his achievement. However I am disappointed that my hat trick was taken from me.

Motto?

No, still looking

Favourite writing moment?

When the words are flying and I get really lost in the world, and you don’t notice how much you’ve written and how many hours have passed.

That sounds delightful. Thank you very much for your time, Inkpot, and best of luck with getting published this year.

Thank you very much DN Reporter. It was lovely meeting you.

Pleasure all mine.

Interview with DNOTY 2006

A Conversation with Mungo

By Bee Gears

Mungo reads from his fantastic novel Leaf

It was a rainy day in Blackrock, Co. Louth when I visited Mungo, current DN of the Year, to talk to him about his writing career, winning the DNOTY and all things Mungo.

It took me a while to find the entrance to his palatial home, just off the sea front, surrounded by verdant gardens and a high stone wall. I drove up the long curving avenue and squeezed my battered VW into a space behind a phalanx of French cars.

Approaching the front door, I was greeted by a volley of vicious barking from the guard dogs (three intimidating hounds – a german shepherd, a poinsettia and a collie). Thankfully, they were enclosed behind glass and couldn’t get at me to rip me to shreds. I could understand the need for them, as I am sure Mungo’s fame must draw a lot of unwanted callers to his door. Not being in that category, I didn’t have to wait long for the door to be opened by a burly rabbit, who ushered me inside. There I met Mango, Mungo’s campaign manager. She informed me that Mungo was very busy and could only spare a little time to talk to me, as she led me to the inner sanctum where Mungo sat upon the shining silver Nodpot cup, dressed in his DNOTY t-shirt.

Bee: Oh Mungo, thank you so much for seeing me, it is an honour. I know what a busy schedule you have.

Mungo: Hello.

B: You look wonderful as always, I must say. How do you manage to look so wonderful and white all the time?

M: Clean living (laughs)

B: You look very dashing sitting on top of the Nodpot Cup. Tell me, was it a surprise that you won?

M: (looking bashful) Not at all Bee. Last year I was upset that, despite all my contributions to the Nodpots, I was not even nominated for DNOTY.

B: You mean 2005, don’t you, Mungo? You won last year.

M: (frowning) Oh yes, yes of course. Anyway, I was told that I would have to write to be eligible for nomination the next year (which was 2006) and I said I would write a book – because writing is easy, after all – and win DNOTY 2006. And I did.

B: I have often heard you quoted as saying that writing is easy, but for many people – even professional reporters like me – writing is a daunting task. Tell me Mungo, what is your secret?

M: Well Bee, I don’t know why you find writing so difficult, or anyone for that matter. You think up an idea, you think about it for a little while, and then you sit down and spend so many hours a day writing it. I think a lot of people think writing is hard and then, when they should be writing, they are surfing the internet or watching TV. But really, writing is very easy.

B: That is wonderful advice, Mungo, thank you for sharing that with me.

M: You’re welcome.

B: However, even with that, Leaf is a wonderful book. Few people would be able to write such an original, absorbing, amusing story. Where did you come up for the idea of a story like that? Was there an external influence or is it simply your natural genius?

M: (smiles) I suppose my natural brilliance did have something to do with it, but I believe you should write what you know. Most modern literature has little interest for me because it is so human centred. I decided to write something I would like to read, something about monkeys. I also wanted to write an adventure story that would be humorous. I can’t bear boring depressing rubbish.

B: It must have been hard making the transition from being a judge to being a writer.

M: Not at all, not at all. I’ve been retired for some years now, and Leaf actually came about because I used to tell stories about the Animal Kingdom to my good friend, Miss Monkey. She loved the tales so much that she encouraged me to write it down, and that’s what I did.

B: Yes, you dedicated Leaf to Miss Monkey, didn’t you?

M: That’s right.

B: Is there any truth in the rumours that Leaf and Rainbow are based on you and Miss Monkey?

M: (laughs) None at all. People like to see themselves in my work, I suppose, because they aspire to be like my characters but no, Leaf and Rainbow are not me and Miss Monkey. Leaf isn’t as handsome and talented as I am, for one thing.

B: To get back to winning DNOTY 2006. I know you had a strong campaign going, with Mango as your manager and publicity on your blog and the streets of Dublin. Even with all this, were you afraid that you wouldn’t win?

M: Not at all. You see, this year I knew the votes would be counted properly because they got in an objective non-Nodpot to count them. Other years they have been counted by Valerie, and I know the vote has been skewed by her so that Iseult would win.

B: They are very serious allegations, Mungo.

M: I’m not alleging anything; I’m just saying that I knew the right Nodpot would win this year.

B: I see. Still, at the moment before the winner was revealed, did you feel a thrill of fear that you might not have won?

M: Not at all. I never feel fear.

B: What was it like when you found out you won?

M: I knew that justice had been served.

B: And what are your plans for this year? Do you want to win the Nodpot cup again?

M: I’m not really bothered about retaining my title, now that I have achieved what I set out to achieve, however I am sure that I will win again in 2007 as I am the best Nodpot and my work this year will prove that. I don’t intend to become a slave to writing, because it is only an enjoyable pastime to me, but I am going to write three books this year. I have Mango the Unlucky Monkey coming out in March and then the third book in the Kingdom of Animals series, Rainbow and the Mountain of Life, which should be due out in the autumn and the first in a new series, Tottie the Demon Rabbit Slayer, should be out in time for Christmas.

B: That sounds very ambitious Mungo.

M: Not at all.

B: What about Leaf, are you still seeking for an agent?

M: I will be submitting Leaf to agencies again this year, yes.

B: That’s good. Is it true you will be touring with the Nodpot Cup this year?

M: I have to keep the fans happy, you know. I will be going to Dublin for a while, to thank the people of Dun Laoghaire Rathdown for voting for me, and I have been asked to travel over seas as well, but I have yet to make up my mind on that offer.

The door opened and Mango entered. She gestured for me to leave.

B: I can see my time is up. Thank you for your time, Mungo. It was an honour to meet you and I look forward to reading your new books this year.

M: Thank you.

Mungo & the cup posing with me