Login   Sign Up 



 
Random Read
6305 by MikeC




Tibor Fischer Interview

Posted on 20 January 2011. © Copyright 2004-2024 WriteWords
A longer version of this interview is available to WriteWords Full and Community Members.
Click here to learn more about becoming a member.

WriteWords talks to Tibor Fischer, British novelist and short story writer. In 1993 he was selected by the influential literary magazine Granta as one of the 20 best young British writers. Fischer's parents were Hungarian basketball players, having fled Hungary in 1956. The bloody 1956 revolution, and his father's background, informed Fischer's debut novel Under the Frog, a Rabelaisian yarn about a Hungarian basketball player surviving Communism. The title is derived from a Hungarian saying, that the worst possible place to be is under a frog's arse down a coal mine. In 1992, Under the Frog won a Betty Trask Prize for literature, and was shortlisted for the prestigious Booker prize. Subsequent novels include The Thought Gang, about an unemployed and alcoholic philosophy professor who hooks up with a failed one-armed bandit in France to form a successful team of bank robbers, and The Collector Collector, about a weekend in South London, narrated by a 5000 year old Sumerian pot. Fischer has also published a book of short stories, Don't Read This Book If You're Stupid (published in the U.S. as I Like Being Killed: Stories). Fischer's novel, Voyage to the End of the Room was published in 2003. His new novel, "Good to be God" was published by Alma Books on September 4, 2008. In 2009 Fischer became the Royal Literary Fund writing fellow at City and Guilds of London Art School.

Tell us something about your background.

I’m a novelist, but I’m considering haiku as I’m tired of all the typing.




Other work besides writing; eg. Editing, dramaturgy, tutoring, and how it works/worked for/against your own writing

Teaching, if you’re teaching people who want to be taught, is enjoyable in small doses. And you do learn teaching.


How, when and why did you first start writing?

I was always attracted to the idea of writing. When I was thirty I had a bout of unemployment and I realised that if I didn’t use my free time to finally produce a novel, I probably never would. So I did.


Who are your favourite writers and why?

All sorts. Lots of Americans: JD Salinger, Tom Wolfe, Tom Robbins, Charles Willeford. I did a degree in French, so the usual suspects: Flaubert, Moliere, Céline. My favourite Hungarian writer is Sándor Márai. I suppose the writers you admire most are those who’ve done things you’d like to have done.


How did you get your first agent/ commission/publication? Can you tell us about the process/journey?

It wasn’t fun. I couldn’t get an agent and a novel about a Hungarian basketball team in the nineteen fifties wasn’t an obvious blockbuster. I started sending it out myself and it was rejected by fifty-six imprints. There were fifty-eight in the UK at the time, so I was relieved when number fifty-seven said yes.

So I got to the Booker shortlist without an agent. Funnily enough, after the shortlist it was easy to get an agent.



Writing



Writing



Tell us what kind of response you get from audiences/readers and if/how this affects/influences your writing

It’s nice when you get a slap on the back. I don’t read reviews however because even the favourable ones will contain a phrase or a sentence that will make you spend the rest of the day thinking ‘what did that mean?’.




A longer version of this interview is available to WriteWords Full and Community Members.
Click here to learn more about becoming a member.






Comments by other Members



DanielVars at 19:42 on 09 February 2024  Report this post
Hi, you know how I entertain myself. I love playing at mostbet because they have the best slots games I’ve ever seen. The slots are filled with games from different genres and you are sure to find something to your liking. I recommend you give this site a try and win some money. Here is the link to the site https://mostbet-az-45.net/ where you can register and get bonuses. Enjoy your game)

callen at 12:10 on 19 February 2024  Report this post
Decent Blog post, My group is a good believer on advertisment observations at online sites to help you allow web log people know they’ve applied a product favorable to help you the online world! Право на получение индийской электронной визы граждане албании

EricaJohnson at 09:58 on 22 February 2024  Report this post
تیبور فیشر کا انٹرویو ادبی دنیا میں بڑی بات ہے۔ ان کی خصوصیات اور لکھاری کی مزاحیہ اور فکریت پر مبنی ہوشیاری نے ان کو ایک مخصوص مقام دیا ہے۔ ان کی بات چیت ان کی تجربات اور دنیاوی دیدگی کو شیشہ بدان کرتی ہے۔ اگر آپ بھی ان کے فن پر محبت رکھتے ہیں اور نیا معمولی کیسینوس کا تجربہ حاصل کرنا چاہتے ہیں، تو ضرور دیکھیں: https://hmcasinospk.com/new-casinos

JosephAustin at 09:03 on 24 February 2024  Report this post
Took me time to read all the comments, but I really enjoyed the article. It proved to be Very helpful to me and I am sure to all the commenters here! It’s always nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained! forex robot

Karter345 at 12:02 on 27 February 2024  Report this post
This is often nice blog post and even i enjoy to enjoy a book it blog post. your site is without a doubt fabulous and you just contain decent office staff ınside your web log. attractive writing continue the good work. [url=https://www.stonesecurityservice.com/close-protection-services-nyc-stone-security-serivces/]Security For Parties & After Parties[/url]

callen at 10:29 on 02 March 2024  Report this post
Fantastic blog! Do you have any tips and hints for aspiring writers? I’m planning to start my own website soon but I’m a little lost on everything. Would you propose starting with a free platform like WordPress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I’m completely overwhelmed .. Any suggestions? Many thanks! NYC Commercial Gates & Installation Service

callen at 10:35 on 03 March 2024  Report this post
this is pleasant in addition to meanful. this is trendy blog site. Backlinking can be quite practical matter. you could have definitely served most people exactly who stop by blog site and gives these individuals usefull facts. Local Service Company

Karter345 at 11:26 on 04 March 2024  Report this post
This particular papers fabulous, and My spouse and i enjoy each of the perform that you have placed into this. I’m sure that you will be making a really useful place. I has been additionally pleased. Good perform! [url=https://www.kobacapital.com/5-types-of-business-insurance-you-shouldnt-go-without/]medical malpractice insurance brokers[/url]

callen at 10:16 on 05 March 2024  Report this post
Thank you so much for such a well-written article. It’s full of insightful information. Your point of view is the best among many without fail.For certain, It is one of the best blogs in my opinion. CNPR Program

Karter345 at 13:31 on 05 March 2024  Report this post
Wow, this is really interesting reading. I am glad I found this and got to read it. Great job on this content. I like it. [url=https://cnprreviews.org/cnpr-reviews-worthwhile.html]CNPR Pharmaceutical Sales Certification[/url]

Karter345 at 12:14 on 06 March 2024  Report this post
I had most recently initiated a fabulous web page, the details you will provide you with here comes with really helped others really. Regards just for all of the effort & succeed. [url=https://www.amazon.com/Southern-Sisters-Married-Womens-Bachelorette/dp/B0C1Y69GTQ/]funny underwear for bride[/url]

Karter345 at 11:38 on 07 March 2024  Report this post
Great Publish, I'm a large believer within publishing remarks upon websites in order to allow weblog authors realize that they’ve additional some thing beneficial in order to the internet! [url=https://azvalleypools.com/new-pool/]az pool builder[/url]

Karter345 at 13:11 on 07 March 2024  Report this post
My spouse and i shocked while using investigation anyone created to choose this certain release outstanding. Amazing task! [url=https://boost-like.com/category/youtube-services/youtube-views]Buy YouTube Views[/url]

Karter345 at 17:31 on 07 March 2024  Report this post
I’m moved considering the surpassing and even preachy index that you really generate such modest timing. mamoplastia precio bogota


To post comments you need to become a member. If you are already a member, please log in .