I published a great little flash at The Forge today – Mams Being Mams by Sean Tanner. It packs quite the punch and you should go and read it here: https://forgelitmag.com/2020/10/12/mams-being-mams/
I also interviewed Sean and just as Susannah did he also chose Alf Stewart as his fave Neighbours character despite Alf not being in Neighbours. (I wish he was though.)
1) You are wallpaper. What is your pattern?
Excellent question. I would say something like the yin and yang symbol, or a snake eating its own head, or two pac men eating each other. I’m thinking eggshell white for a background with garish primary colours bordering the symbols to create a sort of auric effect.
2) What was your favourite book as a child?
My Dad used to read us a chapter of Shadow the Sheepdog by Enid Blyton every night before bed and we loved it. There was also Run With the Wind by Tom McCaughren.
3) Who is/was your unlikely crush?
Agent Scully.
4) Who is your favourite Sesame Street character?
Never really watched it to be honest, but it’s that guy who lives in the bin if it’s anybody. Probably the answer every writer will give.
5) What colour is Tuesday?
Beige.
6) Have you ever had a nickname?
I tried to get my family to call me ‘waffles’ for a while (because I loved waffles) but it never caught on.
7) What is the oldest piece of clothing in your wardrobe?
Swimming trunks I found on cape clear island, back when I was campsite warden there circa 2010 maybe 2011. They’ve faded from black to grey but have taken on sentimental value for reasons I can’t entirely fathom.
8) Do you have a favourite pen?
I tried the whole ‘good pen’ thing for a while, but I lost it several times and then they stopped making the refills for it, and while I enjoy the idea of a companion pen that I can somehow imbue with supercharged creativity, perhaps give it a pet name, and carry it everywhere for luck, it’s just not practical. Now all my relationships with pens are casual. I use them up and throw them away. I’m careful never to get too attached.
9) Do you believe human beings can spontaneously combust?
Oh, I believe all sorts, spontaneous combustion is the least of it.
10) What’s your most vivid childhood memory?
My memory is terrible, I think I’ve killed that part of my brain. Some things persist I guess, certain songs on the radio as we drove off to do the weekly shop, the smell of my mother’s perfume, the sound of her voice on the phone. Perhaps my mother comes to mind because it’s memories of her that I most often try to recall since she passed away.
11) Do you actually have a Jesus clock?
Just a regular one, but I would rather have none. I’d rather throw my watch in the dirt like that scene from Easy Rider.
12) Who is your favourite Neighbours character?
Alf from Home and Away.
13) What’s your favourite sweet?
I wouldn’t deign to raise one sweet above the others lest the other sweets feel left out. I love them all equally.
14) You hold a dinner party and can only invite writers. Who do you invite?
I don’t really know any writers, and the idea of a party full of them is nightmarish. Not sure why the idea is off putting for me, maybe it’s the fact that I’d have to cook?
15) Do you have any writing rituals?
Just a good strong cup of tea with a spoon of honey.
16) What would your karaoke song be?
Oooft, so many to choose from. I like the sound of nights in white satin coming out from deep inside my belly after four to six beers.
17) What was your first concert?
Moby? Or maybe Bryan Adams. Again the memory is not great.
18) What was the last gift you gave to someone?
Marrow by Robert Reed to my sister in law. Great book.
19) What is your phone screensaver?
My son arsing about in the front of my van.
20) What question should I have asked you?
The answer to life, the universe and everything.
Sara Crowley 