‘Orkney and Outwith: The Night Watchers & Other Stories’ published by Orkneyology Press
Questions from Fiona Grahame – The Orkney News
- Congratulations on the publication of the set of short stories, ‘Orkney and Outwith: The Night Watchers & Other Stories’. Can you give our readers a brief idea of what the stories are about without giving away too many details ?
I’d say the stories explore little moments that take on significance and ripple outwards. Sometimes they explore obviously dramatic moments and other times they’re a reflection over long periods of time on how small dramas changed the course of larger events. I’ve written in different genres including folklore with a modern twist, which is something I haven’t done before. Other stores are more gritty, based in cities and have a post-modern style, and frankly, some are rather like dreams and dip into places I find mysterious myself.
- What drew you to this subject matter?
Most of my ideas come from an experience or insight that collides with another idea that’s circulating around my head or the world. It’s difficult to pin down how they come together – sort of like candy floss. A number of stories are firmly set in the ordinary places of the present day – the Pickaquoy Centre gets a look in and there’s the Aberdeen Airport taxi rank. Other stories roam hot European streets.
- Short story writing is a very particular skill because you don’t have a series of chapters to develop the characters and settings as you would in a full novel. Can you explain the challenges and the opportunities the short story format affords a writer ?
When I think about short story writing closely it seems to have more in common with poetry than prose. Every word is important, the rhythm of each phrase and sentence are key to quickly establishing atmosphere and mood. There’s a lot of reading between the lines for the reader and this means that the weight, or baggage of meaning that each word carries needs to be measured. For me the characters in these stories could all have a novel written about them, they are fully developed on the page – the narrative section has a sense of completeness as it is, but can also be seen as part of a larger tapestry of someone’s life, or of a whole community. And this makes writing the ending particularly fiendish, it must be satisfactory and yet wondrous. I suppose a short story is like a sudoko puzzle – all the information is there that you need to complete the puzzle.
- What would you like the reader to get out of reading the stories?
A holiday. A break from here and now. A journey to somewhere different, and maybe it’s to a place you will never go to and that is a good thing, or maybe it is a place you have been to and feeling less alone about this is a good thing. There are simple joyful moments, poignancy, anger, confusion and absurdity. A full range of moods are available – rather like a chocolate box. Not every one will be a favourite, but others will surprise and I do hope there’ll be favourites to re-read.
- How did ‘Orkney’ as a place have a role in the stories ? Can you describe how the islands, as opposed to any other location, are central to the storytelling?
Orkney is the origin. It is the starting point of the collection. A place where day and night, tide and shore, all define the way that life is lived. It has a surface simplicity, but a deep unconscious well of being and of understanding place. The stories set in Orkney have a different relationship with time and place. I expect there will be some puzzling over where exactly settings are located, but folk will have to remember this is fiction and not every turn in the road is the same as you’d see it from the window.
- Working with a publisher is in itself an important part of any published material. How have you found the collaboration process with a local independent publisher Orkneyology Press?
It’s a delight to be working with Rhonda and Tom at Orkneyology Press. They have the knack of respecting artistic integrity and thoughtfully pointing out areas which require more clarity. The process has taken time, and that is not something that all publishers are willing or able to give. Stories mature, a bit like cheese, or maybe fine whisky is a more elegant metaphor. Many of these stories have been seasoning in the cask for years. I hope that working with a local publisher ensures the continuing vibrancy of Orkney as a place where writing is highly valued and supported. Writers have to buy bread and milk, and pay the electricity bill. Any book purchase from a local publisher supports this creative community.
- Where can people buy a copy of your book and when will it be available?
The book is also available right now on-line: https://shop.orkneyology.com/products/orkney-and-outwith-the-night-watcher-other-stories-1
And of course there will be copies for sale at The Orcadian Bookshop and Stromness Books and Prints. Copies of the collection will also be available at the book’s launch on Thursday 4th December, 6-7pm at Kirkwall Library.
Everyone is welcome to the book launch on Thursday. I’ll be baking brownies so I hope folk come with an appetite. I’m looking forward to answering questions and discussing the collection with Tom. It’s an absolute treat to meet readers and to get together.
Orkney and Outwith: The Night Watcher & Other Stories
by Gabrielle Barnby
Host: Tom Muir
Thursday 4th December, 6-7pm. Kirkwall Library
All Welcome
