mundyewalsh The Creative Women interview series chats to women in creative fields, and explores what is at the root of their artistic drive. Creative thinking is fundamental for a fulfilled life, and so understanding and cultivating it through shared experiences, challenges and achievements helps us all thrive.
Orla Mackey is a writer and teacher based in Kilkenny in Ireland. She studied English Literature at Trinity College, Dublin. She was a finalist of the Irish Writers Centre Novel Fair in 2022. Her first novel Mouthing is published by Penguin U.K.
Have you always wanted to be a writer or has it been something you’ve been called to later in life?
I always wrote. I had a spare copybook in primary school that I filled with poems. I did the same in secondary school. As a child, lines would drop into my head and I’d have to write them down. Even with that happening, I never had the confidence to think that being a writer was a possibility. A dream, maybe, but not one I ever vocalised or properly pursued. I got further away from writing as I got older. Ironically, I was never as far away from it as when I was studying English in Trinity College. In university, the emphasis was on academic essays. I remember writing one creative essay in the four years I was there. I’m very lucky with how my first book came about. I’m still not sure I’d describe writing as a career path. It’s something I feel I have to do. My main income is from teaching. I’m very grateful to have a steady job but that comes with its own demands. Writing is something I try to find time for at weekends and during school holidays.
Who or what inspires you?
I’m influenced by Irish writers past and present. John McGahern, Seán O’Casey, Brendan Behan, Eimear McBride, Donal Ryan. Edna O’Brien is my ultimate idol. I’ve admired her for years and was devastated when she died. We’ll only realise how great a loss she is in time to come. I’m inspired by ordinary life and the music of ordinary everyday speech.
What is your process from ideation to creation?
I don’t start with an idea. That would make great sense. I start by sitting down. And I do that on repeat until I’ve finished. Most of the time, I have absolutely no idea what’s going to come out. I don’t make plans. I don’t have a clue where any one character is going to go. They go wherever they go and they take me along with them. Sometimes there are gaps of months when I don’t write at all. I’m sure there’s a better way to do things, but that’s how it works for me.
Given that creative work is deeply personal and often an expression of our inner world, how do you keep positive if say an idea ‘fails’ in a public arena? How do you maintain resilience during difficult periods and what tools/practices do you return to help you overcome obstacles?
I’m very new to this game. Before Novel Fair in 2022, I hadn’t made any attempt at having my writing published. My first novel, Mouthing, was judged to be a finalist in that competition. I found the success of that challenging. It was a massive thing for me to speak to publishers and agents. I over prepared. I tried to learn off answers and responses that didn’t sound like me at all. Once the ‘interviews’ got underway, I quickly realised that people were much more inclined to listen when I was being myself. That was a big awakening.
I’m finding the process of writing the second novel difficult. The last time, I was writing for myself. I never imagined anyone else would lay eyes on it. I’m a lot more conscious this time around.
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