Ray Robinson – The Interview

by Melanie Gow on April 15, 2010

What made you realise you are a writer?

I had a mushroom trip when I was in my early twenties and had a conversation with God while lying in a bath tub and He spoke to me through the curtains. I asked Him what I should do with my life and He, or rather the curtains, responded: Be a writer. That’s when I decided to apply to do an MA in Creative Writing. I didn’t tell them about the curtains at the interview, though.

Which book are you currently reading and who are your greatest influences?

I’m currently rereading Housekeeping by Marilynne Robinson. I can’t believe this is her debut novel. It fills me with envy and admiration. She’s such a fine writer. The Observer voted it one of the 100 Greatest Novels of all time, and it surely is. Read it!

Regarding other writers, I wouldn’t say I’m ‘influenced’ by any, as such. I’m more inspired by film than literature, particularly the films of the Northern Renaissance, such as A Taste of Honey. If you’ve read my work and seen the film then you’ll know what I mean.

What achievement in your life are you most proud of?

Easy: getting published. Electricity was my debut but it wasn’t the first novel I wrote. Having my first novel rejectedover and over again shattered my confidence and I tried to stop writing for a while, but couldn’t. I’d still be writing today if I wasn’t published, of course, but getting your debut accepted and into print gives you a fantastic sense of validation, and come on, we all want to see our work in print, no matter what you say.

If you were stranded on a desert island which three fictional characters, who would you like to be there with and why?

Hell is other people! I’m not sure I’d want anyone there, it would ruin it! Being stranded on a desert island would be a dream come true. Though one person I would love to be there is Ray Mears. At least we’d remain well fed.

What was the first book you ever bought with your own money?

I didn’t read a book until I was 18, and that wasn’t a novel, it was Miles Davis’s autobiography. A great book – and yes, he wrote it all by himself.

What phrase do you find is the most played in your head?

Don’t tell the reader what to think!

I read a Guardian blog by you and, just to be serious for a minute, do you know where Lisa is and how does it feel those moments when you catch yourself thinking about her?

I’d rather not answer that.

Would you be friends with Anthony in real life?

Well, apart from the whole tranny and autoerotic asphyxiation thing, Antony is me (it’s my heavily disguised, or dragged up, autobiography), so I guess I am friends with him!

What was your favourite place you visited in your research for the next book ‘Unfrozen’ and why?

I’ve shelved the book for now, because it’s a bit too ambitious for me at this stage in my career, but the research took me to some amazing places, my favourite of which was McLeod Ganj in the Indian Himalayas where I attended a 10 day course, delivered by the Dalai Lama in his temple.

You have an award for your short story Cut, you are nominated for the James Tait Black Memorial Prize and the Authors’ Club Best First Novel Award, have you finished the PhD you wrote Electricity for?

I got my Ph.D. back in 2006. But trust me, it’s really not that interesting.

Tell us what your involvement is with Donut Press?

Donut Press is an ace independent poetry publisher run by my friend, Andy Ching. The books are all objects of beauty, most of which are designed by Liam Relph, who did the front cover for my second novel. If you like poetry I recommend you check them out at: http://www.donutpress.co.uk/

Short Stories, Poetry or Books which do you love the most and why?

I love short story collections, the best of which I’ve read recently is Delicate Edible Birds by Lauren Groff. In fact it’s one of the best collections I’ve ever read, and I think she’s still in her twenties. I’d say she’s a future star, but in my eyes she’s a star already, so check her out. I think short stories demand so much more from a writer than novels, which can be flabby and carry exiguous writing. Short stories are a perfect art from, whereas novels never will be.

Will you be a bit more active on Facebook than you are on MySpace, with it’s almost annual postings, and is that where people should go to “friend” you?

I’ve only just joined Facebook – better late than never – and have a Fanpage as well. I’m currently having a new website built and intend to be a lot more active on line. I’m a bit crap at it all, I’m afraid.