Generally I let stories unfold by them self. There are times when I can sit down and write a story or chapter from start to finish.

Eddie Stack – 12 January 2014

The Back Flap

Borderlines is a book of 3 long stories, mostly set in rural Ireland. They take us to the Hidden Ireland, the heartland of the island, far from tourist traps and Darby O’Gill.

In Carnival Cop, a lady constable becomes over-zealous when a raggle taggle carnival comes to a small Irish town. Will she or won’t she? Is she or isn’t she?

Bonzo is a local mystery man who everyone loves, but few know anything about.

One for the Rover is a tale of free spirits. Irish music in the slow lane, gurus from the East, Lovers from the West.

About the book

What is the book about?

Three long stories set in rural Ireland. They’re are not long enough to be novellas so I grouped them together and called them Borderlines. Carnival Cop tells what happens when a lady cop gets over zealous when a traveling carnival pitches in town. Bonzo is about a local guy who everyone likes but few know anything about. The last story, One for the Rover is a tale of free spirits, gurus from the East and lovers from the West.

When did you start writing the book?

I wrote One for the Rover about five years ago and finished the first story a few months ago

How long did it take you to write it?

It’s hard to put a time on it as it was done in phases. I reckon 4 months in back to back days.

Where did you get the idea from?

I had begun the carnival story when the cop came into it. I don’t know where she came from. Bonzo I met at a wedding and wrote the story around him. I once knew a free spirit like the woman in One for the Rover.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

I struggled with the end of One for the Rover. I revised all three a lot, paring them down. The struggle was to keep at it, to chip away unnecessary words and even sentences

What came easily?

First drafts of Carnival Cop and Bonzo came easily.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

Both, and sometimes a mix of the two.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I write a lot of short stories and I’m influenced by Raymond Carver, James Joyce, Dylan Thomas, TC Boyle, Edna O’Brien…they’ve shown me how to tell a story, what makes it ‘tick’, also how to edit, and the benefit of rewrite and revision. I’m also influenced by Irish traditional storytelling which puts me in mind of Latin American writers with its magic realism and timelessness.

Do you have a target reader?

Readers who like contemporary fiction with a dash of magic realism sometimes. Othertimes, they like the soft, easy going stories of love or loss.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I teach two days a week and seldom write on those days. Mostly I write in the afternoon and evening. There are times when i can write day and night.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I don’t outline in the strict sense, I might jot something that enters my head for future reference. Generally I let stories unfold by them self. There are times when I can sit down and write a story or chapter from start to finish.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I read over previous days’ work and do simple edits, but stay away from rewrites. When I’m finished I edit, rewrite.

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes. I’ve always done this.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

Once I listened to an Irish reel over and over again while writing a story. Don’t do it now. Need the quiet and peace.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

Yes, I’ve worked with a few agents

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

I started out as a desktop publisher in the late 1980’s + won an American Small Press Award/ Big houses took a few books I published and I made some money. But not enough for the publishers… and so I stayed indie. Now I publish in digital format first for Kindle and iBook, the go to print via POD.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

For print I always hire a book designer. My son does the ebooks

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I have a basic market plan, then I go with the flow, catch the waves.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

It’s a vocation more than a job. Educate yourself about your journey and make sure you’re not in it for power or money. Always hire a professional editor before publishing anything!

About You

Where did you grow up?

County Clare, in the west of Ireland

Where do you live now?

San Francisco

What would you like readers to know about you?

I write fiction in English and poetry in my native Irish

What are you working on now?

A non-fiction book on the tradtional arts of music, dance and storyteliing of a remote area in the West of Ireland. I’m publishing it as an ibook first, as I can embed archival audio and video and get nice graphic layouts. It’ll go to print once I figure out the look and feel of it.

End of Interview:

For more, visit Eddie’s website or blog.

Get your copy of Borderlines from Amazon US, Amazon UK, or iTunes.