We hope you’re reading along with the Cityline Book Club and enjoying Hellgoing by Lynn Coady! Our Cityline team is devouring this Giller Prize-winning collection of stories, and we can’t wait to discuss it in our upcoming book club meeting! To help our book club get some additional insight into Coady as a writer, we asked her 10 questions about her writing habits and favourite books.
1. What was your favourite book as a child?
It was this gorgeous picture book about a community of bunnies that painted the forest every season — red on the autumn leaves, blue shadows on the snow, that sort of thing. And then when their beloved grandpa bunny died, he painted a beautiful sunset for them in the sky! Sniff.
2. What’s your current favourite book?
I kind of think books are too complex and individual for me to pick a favourite. It would be like deciding on a favourite human being. That’s my sneaky way of avoiding admitting that I’ve been too busy to read these past few months.
3. Was there a moment when you first knew you wanted to be a writer?
I think it was when my grade four teacher told our class that I was such a good writer that one day I might have a book I’d written on her classroom shelves. That was the first time it was made tangible to me.
4. What is your favourite music to write to?
I can’t write to music — it’s too distracting.
5. What author do you wish you could write like?
I don’t know if I’d ever say that I wish I could write like someone else at this stage in my career, as I’ve worked pretty hard to learn how to write precisely the way I want. But I will say the last book I read that made me think: I don’t know how the author did that, but I wish I could! was The Master by Colm Toibin. I think it was his ability to write in such an understated and subtle way, but be so devastating and compelling.
6. Where is your favourite place to write?
A quiet, empty room in a house that has a busy, bustling street very nearby.
7. What time of day do you do your best writing?
Not long after I get up. Usually, that’s in the morning.
8. What was your last great read?
This is How You Lose Her by Junot Diaz
9. What is the last book you gave as a gift?
I think it was probably my own — Hellgoing. Nice, huh?
10. What do you do when you’re not writing?
These days: go to the gym, listen to podcasts or audiobooks, walk, watch TV, have a quiet drink with a friend.
Are you enjoying Hellgoing so far? Share your thoughts in the comments – we can’t wait to discuss it with you. Stay tuned for an exclusive interview with Lynn Coady, coming up right here in the Cityline Book Club next week!