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\u00a0Pushcart-Prize nominee Christopher P. Mooney (He\/Him\/His) was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1978. At various times in his life he has been a paperboy, a trolley boy, a greengrocer, a supermarket cashier, a shelf stacker, a barman, a cinema usher, a carpet fitter’s labourer, a leaflet distributor, a foreign-language assistant and a teacher. He currently lives and writes in a rented house near London and his debut collection of short transgressive fiction, Whisky for Breakfast, is available now from Bridge House Publishing.<\/p>\n
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My debut collection of short fiction, Whisky for Breakfast, was published by Bridge House Publishing in November 2020. It is my first single-author collection. The stories are mostly transgressive, although it\u2019s fair to say there are some semi-autobiographical elements that will likely be familiar to the people closest to me.<\/p>\n
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I do most of my writing at the dining table in the living room of the house I rent near London. When the house is full of kids, \u2013 and, therefore, full of noise and noisy distractions \u2013 I hide in the conservatory and try to keep my focus.<\/p>\n
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Typically, my stories \u2013 no matter the length \u2013 short story, novella, novel \u2013 originate with a scribbled note \u2013 I write all of my notes and first drafts in pencil \u2013 or a scene or a character study. More recently, because, learning, I recognise that, at least for me, that is not a particularly effective approach. I have been trying to be more organised \u2013 more patient and more measured, too \u2013 by outlining plots and scenes, etc, in advance.<\/p>\n
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I enjoy reading transgressive fiction. Some of my favourite transgressive writers are Charles Bukowski, Chuck Palahniuk, Bret Easton Ellis, John Niven and Hubert Selby Jr. I like crime novels and thrillers, too. And I love Shakespeare.<\/p>\n
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I\u2019ve always loved stories and I\u2019m fascinated with words and with language. Since 2015, I\u2019ve committed considerable time and effort into putting my own words on the page. Why? Because I feel compelled to do so.<\/p>\n
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Having writer\u2019s block used to bother me. When I didn\u2019t have any ideas, when the words wouldn\u2019t come, I\u2019d worry that I\u2019d never write again. But I\u2019ve learned that my creativity and my creative output are cyclical; sometimes I\u2019m stuck and sometimes the ideas pour out of me. It\u2019s all part of the process.<\/p>\n
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The novel I\u2019m writing, provisionally titled The Fifth Philosophy, is a piece of historical fiction that begins in first-century, Roman-occupied Palestine. It\u2019s possible I spent more time researching it \u2013 which included reading at least two dozen books \u2013 than I did writing it. Although the characters and especially the plot are essentially fictitious, I wanted the details to be as accurate as possible. Achieving that level of authenticity, when possible and relevant, was important to me.<\/p>\n
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I have kids and a full-time job \u2013 a job that involves a lengthy daily commute \u2013 so I don\u2019t have much time to write. I have lots of ideas and there are always multiple projects on the go but, unfortunately, I\u2019m not in a position to dedicate as much time and effort to them as I\u2019d like to. I\u2019m finding this increasingly frustrating.<\/p>\n
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In addition to my novel, I recently finished the first full draft of my second collection of short stories. Its provisional title is Amorous Mo(u)rning. It\u2019s a very personal collection of creative non-fiction that was often difficult to write. I\u2019m also, already, working on a third collection that includes a novella \u2013 Gut Shot \u2013 and about twenty short stories.<\/p>\n
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Yes, please! I think both the novel and the novella \u2013 especially the novel \u2013 have the genuine potential to be developed into films. That would be cool.<\/p>\n
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I would say not enough and other people might say too many. I estimate I have at least seven hundred books. Having recently moved out of a small flat and into a house, I\u2019m in the process of putting all of them out on shelves for the first time ever, which will be a dream come true.<\/p>\n
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\nYour website :<\/b> https:\/\/christopherpmooney.