Writer's word

Marisa Mackle talks to SpunOut.ie Youth Editor Marie Duffy.

In your short story ‘Dieting’ you talk about the curse of diets and the obsessive desire to lose weight. As a female I have been there and know what it’s like!

Do you feel there is a lot of pressure on society to conform to stereotypes and what do you think of J. K Rowling’s recent rant on our ‘skinny obsessed world’ and the recent criticism she has received because of it? 

There is nothing new about dieting. Women have been watching their weight for centuries. My granny told me in college she sometimes ate crackers and jam and nothing else because she wanted to stay slim. I also remember when I was 13 and the nuns asked us to do a 24 hour fast for charity. Some of the girls wanted to know would they lose weight. My own weight fluctuates a good bit and sometimes I get frustrated when I can’t squeeze into my favourite jeans but I don’t obsess about it.

Unfortunately though some celebrity magazines slate celebrities for being chubby, which is frankly outrageous. These are women writing about other women and criticising them for basically eating. Those female writers should be ashamed of themselves.

How was your experience on Tg4’s program ni gaeligeoir mé?

It was great fun and a good way for me to brush up on my Irish. I love the Irish language as its part of our heritage. I still keep in touch with people on the show especially You’re a Star’s Jeanette Cronin and Gavin Lambe Murphy.

Why did you choose the Aisling foundation as your charity?

I was in school with Caroline Casey. She is legally blind and travelled around India on an elephant to promote disability awareness. I have so much admiration for her.

What is your favourite program on TV at the moment?

I don’t really watch TV at all. Sometimes I watch Fair City because my friends Tatianna Oulinkina, (Lana), Claudia Carroll (Nicola) and Sheila (Kay McCoy) are on it.

What book are you currently reading?

The Devil wears Prada. I can’t put it down.

What music album do you always return to? (Or) what is your favourite album right now?

I’m listening to Madonna’s Confessions. I’m getting a bit sick of it now because I’ve been listening to it for so long. I need something new but won’t listen to anything sad because my granny died recently and I’m feeling too emotional.

Who is on your ‘must meet list’?

Madonna, but I would want a proper conversation with her. It wouldn’t be enough to just say ‘hello’ or get her autograph.

What desperate housewife would you be and why?

Eva whatshername because she looks hot.

What is your proudest accomplishment to date, and what would you like to accomplish in the future?

The fact that my books have been translated into Thai, Czech, Turkish, Polish and Japanese. And that my first book Mr Right for the Night went straight to Number One.

If you could have written one book what would it have been?

The Da Vinci Code. I’ve never read it but wish I had written it so that I could now be retired and sailing round the world on a cruise. 

Who would be your Mr Right for the Night?

The actor John Cusack or the playwright Martin McDonagh. 

What do you never leave the house without?

My keys, although I forgot them last year when I went to Brian O’ Driscoll’s book launch. I came back and smashed a window to get in. I shredded my arm to bits and required 6 hours of emergency surgery and months of physio. Some days I’m still in agony so I now wear them around my neck.

Now is your chance to tell the peeps on SpunOut.ie why they should pick up your books!

They should pick them up because I genuinely think they are young, fun, modern and perfect for the beach!

Interview by: Marie Duffy