The short story is a very natural mode of storytelling; most stories can be told quickly. I always think of them as like a tightrope walk - every sentence is a step along the rope, and you can so easily misplace your step and break your neck. Kevin Barry breakeasilymisplace share on social
I don't quite operate within the realist mode. I kind of push the stories out towards the cusp of believability - that's the area of interest for me. Kevin Barry areabelievabilitycusp Change image and share on social
I like to be happy when I'm writing. If not, then how will the reader manage? Kevin Barry happymanagereader Change image and share on social
There's no mistaking the fact that some of the best longform fiction out there now is in American television. 'The Wire' and 'Deadwood' and 'The Sopranos.' Kevin Barry americandeadwoodfact Change image and share on social
I think journalism is useful training for a writer in the way it takes the preciousness out of the pragmatic side of the craft. Kevin Barry craftjournalismpragmatic Change image and share on social
Don DeLillo's 'White Noise,' which I read when I was 19. It showed me that a book can be funny as hell and deadly serious. Kevin Barry bookdeadlydelillo Change image and share on social
In my very early days as a journalist, as a cub reporter on a local newspaper, I used to cover the district courthouse in Limerick city - all human life passed through that establishment, and my time there remains a source of inspiration. Kevin Barry citycourthousecover share on social
Libraries are where we learn that we can live our lives through books. Kevin Barry booklearnlibrary Change image and share on social
I wanted to write about Jews in Montana, so I went there by plane and bus, only to discover that there are no Jews in Montana. It didn't deter me. Kevin Barry busdeterdiscover Change image and share on social
I was a cub reporter on a local newspaper in Limerick city, and I used to cover the district court meetings. All of life passed through the Limerick courthouse. Misery, malevolence, the dark side of humanity... I tell ya, it made 'Angela's Ashes' look like 'The Wonderful World of Disney.' Kevin Barry angelaashecity share on social