Spotlight On Writers
Deirdre Carney
- Where do you originate from?
Both my parents were Irish, but settled in England when I was very young. We lived in Birmingham, a major industrial city in the West Midlands. It used to be synonymous with ugly urban sprawl, but I had a gloriously happy childhood there. I remember playing with my brothers and friends by the canal, in disused factory buildings and the local park on long summer’s days until it got dark. Of course it never rained, not once.
- What do you cherish most about the place you call home?
After decades of moving from country to country and place to place, I have lived in my current home for over twenty years, the longest I have stayed anywhere. My house is the station house in a small village on the Far North Line in the Highlands of Scotland. Looking out the kitchen window, I see the railway platform, and beyond that, the beautiful Dornoch Firth. Around me, there are gorgeous hills and a wonderful ancient wood, where I love to wander and observe the changes in the seasons. It is a tranquil and serene place, which suits this time of my life, and holds precious family memories.
- What ignites your creativity?
I write in bursts, going through phases when I have no interest in writing and others when I can’t seem to stop. I would say most of what I write comes from memories and nostalgia, though anything can prompt these, from an old photo, an anniversary, finding a long-forgotten object or just hearing a name. Recently, knitting my first Fair Isle jumper evoked a torrent of memories of my mother, who taught me to knit when I was a young girl, and I wrote about that. I do most of my initial composing in my head, when I’m out walking. The movement seems to help, in fact it seems indispensable.
- Do you have a favorite word and could you incorporate it into a poetic phrase?
I can’t think of a favourite word in isolation. I like some words for their sound, and some for their associations, while others make me laugh. When I read this question, I seemed to remember Orson Welles saying that “chimes” was his favourite word. This seems like a pretty good choice to me, but I’ve quickly tried to check and can’t find that remark anywhere. A word that I like both for its sound and its associations is murmur, so here goes:
Rest with me again and
We will murmur back and fore
Our days and longings
As the sky turns light.
- What is your pet peeve?
I’m taking “peeve” to mean a minor annoyance, not outrages like miscarriages of justice, poverty or war. One thing that comes to mind is perfume. I think I’m in a minority here, but I really don’t like it when I pass people in the street and they’re wearing strong scent. To me, it’s on a par with walking down the street shouting obscenities. Running the gauntlet of the Duty Free Shop in airports, I scurry through as quickly as I can, holding my breath. I was at a beautiful concert recently, and someone in the row behind me had been very lavish with the perfume and it definitely affected my focus on the music. I accept that it gives lots of people pleasure, though, and just put up with it. I’m sure people put up with my little foibles too.
- How would you describe the essence of Deirdre Carney?
I’m not much prone to self-analysis and it’s definitely not my forte. I have two adult children, and I think when you become a parent, your love and concern for your children become the dominant thread of your life. You would have to ask them about whether I mostly got things right. Apart from that, I suppose I would say I’m pretty curious and enjoy new experiences, places, friendships and books. I’m also very thankful for the life I’ve had so far, and slightly incredulous that it keeps getting better.
- Spotlight On Writers – Deirdre Carney - April 5, 2025
- Fair Isle - February 27, 2025
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