Ruth Finnegan
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I was born (1933 - hope you like my birthday photo ... );and reared in Ulster and Donegal in a family committed to reconciling the deep divides in Ulster and in the world, went to a Quaker school in York, followed by a first-class Oxford degree in classics/philosophy. Then it was African fieldwork, an Oxford doctorate in literary anthropology, university teaching in Africa, then many years ( with a short period in Fiji), with the pioneering Open University (UK) where I am now, most happily, an honorary research professor. I live in Bletchley in south-central England with my husband of 50 years and two dogs (alas not so long-lived) and have three wonderful daughters and five grandchildren, one in New Zealand. And I still love writing.
I have published well over twenty (lost count) academic books with leading publishers (university presses et al.), primarily in literary and linguistic anthropology, music ethnography, and cultural history, and have a continuing interest in modes of communication (multi-sensory) and their practical role in the human worlds of the past, present and future.
My most recent publications are second editions of 'Communicating' (2014) and of the now widely-available 'Oral literature in Africa' (2012), the new 'Where is language?' (2017), ‘Time for the world to learn from Africa’ (2019) and ‘The hidden irdunary’ ( 2020); other monographs in preparation.
My contribution to anthropology over the last five years has been recognised by the award of the 2016 Rivers Memorial Medal by the Royal Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland, a great honour.
The most surprising (to me) publications, because rooted in unexpected dreams are my Homeric and African shaped romance novels of my new Kate-Pearl epic series ( the first, 'Black Inked Pearl' has, together with the others, won multiple stars and prizes - I wonder if you’d agree?). Am amazed!
I am currently preparing an audio version of the novel and have just published a much-praised version for 10-12 year old readers ( 'Pearl of the Seas' - with rave reviews).
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
“The hidden lives of taxi drivers”. Due to longer driving myself somHAD, at futstvuneillingky, take taxis, and rgenm sitting next to them in the ring if a cab, a kind if intimate liminal,place, hearing about their Kurds: at furs t just interesting, then fascinating, then inspiring, uplifting - I HAD to out them in a book, please read it, their ” -
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My creative writing ( novels, poems, screenplays) come, unexpected in dreams
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Homer, Shakespeare, Bible
What are you working on now?
A book on extra sensory Communicatiin
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Nit sure. You???
Which Websites you like most to promote your book
Any - maybe YOU would know the best?
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read it aloud - if it doesn’t sound right, try again
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The same - read it ALOUD
What are you reading now?
A novel by Dick Francis - he’s a VERY skilled writer, I learn a lot from his technique, Ih but mostly just because enjoy his stories
What’s next for you as a writer?
A screenplay version of the Odyssey, the next nivel in my Kate-Pearl epic series , a memoir about ESP experiences, and an edited book on a super topic ( nit telling you what yet)
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Shakespeare, Homer, Aeschylus and a full dictionary of classical Greek