Interview with Matthew Egan

Meet NUNUM's Contributor: Matthew Egan

7/31/2022

NUNUM

Blending Flash Fiction & Art

Interview with Matthew Egan

Matthew lent us his story 'The Record Player', and the as we read it here for the first time the imagery was just so intense, so personal, that we had to get our hands on it. Parents are supposed to love all their children equally, but ... well maybe enough of that for now.

Matthew was kind enough to sit down with us a while back, keep reading to find out his take on flash, submitting, and a whole lot more ...

What was the first book you remember picking and reading by yourself?

The Secret Seven – Enid Blyton (First in the Secret Seven series)

What writer influenced your decision to become a writer?

Enid Blyton. As a child I read her books and wanted to create my own adventures just like her. Though when I got older and wanted to get back into reading and writing. John Grisham’s, The Testament gripped me and kept me going on the right track.

Is there a writing craft book that you would recommend to new writers?

Not that I know of.

That might be the best answer I've ever gotten to that question. Is there a writer who has influenced your current writing style?

No. I try to be as vivid as possible when I write. Painting a picture with my words.

Why write flash fiction?

I don’t just write flash fiction. I write in many different mediums. I have written four novels, short dozens of stories, both long form and flash. Plays and poetry too. I write the stories that come to me, no matter the format or style.

What advice would you give someone who is just starting to send their work out to journals?

Rejections, as tough as they are to take, make you better. They’re there to be collected. I’ve had over a hundred of rejections, from agents and journals alike. This is my first published piece and I never stopped because I love writing. If you love it, a simple no won’t stop you.

What was the last book you really (really) enjoyed?

The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith.

Is there a book you would like to step inside of, even for a day?

The Talented Mr. Ripley. I wouldn’t like to be in the midst of a psychopath, but I would love to have the life of Dickie Greenleaf (One of the main Characters) and live in Italy.

Being wealthy and doing as he pleases as he goes where he likes and experiences the beauty of the coast.

What time of day do you write at?

Mainly in the evening, though that’s mainly due to work and a habit I’ve formed over the years

Matthew Egan, is 24 years old, and is from Dublin, Ireland.

He started his writing career in 2015 and since then has written, novels, plays, short stories; both long form and flash as well as poetry. This is his first publication.