There Is Nothing As Tentative As An

Naming Is Nice. It Took Me Days Before I Was Able To Speak A Name For My First Child (what If People Did Not Like It?), And I Suspect We Gave Her A Secret, Second Name As Well, To Keep Her Safe.

If You Grow Up In Ireland And Read Books Then You Really Are Obliged To Attempt Your Own Some Time. It Is Not Exactly A Choice. I Still Don't Know If I Am A Writer. Believe Me, There Are Days When I Have My Doubts.

Writing Is Not My Problem, It Is My Solution.

I Do Wish I Could Write Like Some Of The American Women, Who Can Be Clever And Heartfelt And Hopeful; People Like Lorrie Moore And Jennifer Egan. But Ireland Messed Me Up Too Much, I Think, So I Can't.

In More Static Societies, Like Ireland, You Can Tell Where A Person Is From By Their Surname, Or Where Their Grandparents Are From.