It gives me enormous pleasure to welcome Patrick Osborne onto the website today. Patrick has written and performed three short plays. Of his debut novel, Baxter's Boys, the Irish Idependent wrote the following: "Packed with Dublin slang, it will appeal to fans of Roddy Doyle's Barrytown Trilogy."
Alex: Tell me a bit about yourself, Patrick.
Patrick: I was born in a tenement house in Dublin’s north inner-city in 1971 into a working class family; my Dad drove trucks and my Mam worked in a sewing factory. When I tell my children stories about my childhood such as my first job aged eleven selling newspapers, they think I’m reading from a Dickens novel. I went to St. Paul’s CBS in the city centre and in 1992 I qualified as a Horticulturist from the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin, which was quite unusual for a lad from our area. My earliest memory of writing was when I was around eleven-years-old and I wrote my first short play while away at a summer school. Although I was really interested in writing and drama I never thought of it as a possible career or a way of making a living; great as a hobby but that’s about it. My Mam always emphasized the importance of education having had very few opportunities of her own. She went back to school when she was around sixty to attend adult literacy classes and has written numerous brilliant short stories and poems as a result. That’s where I must get my love of writing from I suppose. I’ve written and produced several short plays and the immediate reaction you get from a live audience is fantastic and a lot less lonely than novel writing. I would eventually love to develop a full length play with all the bells and whistles. Sport plays a huge role in my life. I’m a football referee in my spare time as well as a juvenile coach with my local Gaelic football club and though it can be time consuming it is very rewarding. I’m married to Liz, a beautiful woman who has given me so much support and encouragement and we have three adult children. We now live in Killarney in scenic County Kerry.
Alex: Tell me a bit about yourself, Patrick.
Patrick: I was born in a tenement house in Dublin’s north inner-city in 1971 into a working class family; my Dad drove trucks and my Mam worked in a sewing factory. When I tell my children stories about my childhood such as my first job aged eleven selling newspapers, they think I’m reading from a Dickens novel. I went to St. Paul’s CBS in the city centre and in 1992 I qualified as a Horticulturist from the National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin, Dublin, which was quite unusual for a lad from our area. My earliest memory of writing was when I was around eleven-years-old and I wrote my first short play while away at a summer school. Although I was really interested in writing and drama I never thought of it as a possible career or a way of making a living; great as a hobby but that’s about it. My Mam always emphasized the importance of education having had very few opportunities of her own. She went back to school when she was around sixty to attend adult literacy classes and has written numerous brilliant short stories and poems as a result. That’s where I must get my love of writing from I suppose. I’ve written and produced several short plays and the immediate reaction you get from a live audience is fantastic and a lot less lonely than novel writing. I would eventually love to develop a full length play with all the bells and whistles. Sport plays a huge role in my life. I’m a football referee in my spare time as well as a juvenile coach with my local Gaelic football club and though it can be time consuming it is very rewarding. I’m married to Liz, a beautiful woman who has given me so much support and encouragement and we have three adult children. We now live in Killarney in scenic County Kerry.
Alex: How would you describe your writing, and are there particular themes that you like to explore?
Patrick: I love the art of screenwriting and I tend to write as I visually perceive things, if that makes sense. Having said that, my stories generally tend to be driven through conversations, which the characters are having and I really enjoy this aspect. Dark comedies, which explore social injustices seem to be the sort of stories I’m mostly attracted to. I remember watching programmes when I was younger such as the Liverpool based Boys From The Black Stuff and that definitely had a huge impact on me and has heavily influenced my writing. I want to give the working class a voice while at the same time trying to give people a lift using laughter; I don’t think it’s healthy to be wallowing in despair the whole time.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Patrick: I find that my biggest problem at times is that I have too many ideas floating around and I often flitter from one to the other without finishing anything. That’s when you need to be disciplined and jotting down a detailed synopsis can often help to keep one focused. When I think I’ve got a really good idea I usually mull it over and over in my head and if I think it’s worth exploring further I’ll write out key bullet points and a loose beginning, middle and end. This will invariably go through many changes and may only vaguely resemble the initial idea but that’s all part of the writing process. For me, being too rigid can hinder and strangle my natural flow. I tend to know the destination but am not always sure which road will take me there. I try to enjoy the journey along the way but have unsurprisingly taken many a wrong turn and have often found myself hitting a dead end.
Patrick: I love the art of screenwriting and I tend to write as I visually perceive things, if that makes sense. Having said that, my stories generally tend to be driven through conversations, which the characters are having and I really enjoy this aspect. Dark comedies, which explore social injustices seem to be the sort of stories I’m mostly attracted to. I remember watching programmes when I was younger such as the Liverpool based Boys From The Black Stuff and that definitely had a huge impact on me and has heavily influenced my writing. I want to give the working class a voice while at the same time trying to give people a lift using laughter; I don’t think it’s healthy to be wallowing in despair the whole time.
Alex: Are you a writer that plans a detailed synopsis or do you set out with a vague idea and let the story unfold as you write?
Patrick: I find that my biggest problem at times is that I have too many ideas floating around and I often flitter from one to the other without finishing anything. That’s when you need to be disciplined and jotting down a detailed synopsis can often help to keep one focused. When I think I’ve got a really good idea I usually mull it over and over in my head and if I think it’s worth exploring further I’ll write out key bullet points and a loose beginning, middle and end. This will invariably go through many changes and may only vaguely resemble the initial idea but that’s all part of the writing process. For me, being too rigid can hinder and strangle my natural flow. I tend to know the destination but am not always sure which road will take me there. I try to enjoy the journey along the way but have unsurprisingly taken many a wrong turn and have often found myself hitting a dead end.
Alex: Tell us about your latest novel.
Patrick: Well, my debut novel is Baxter’s Boys, a dark comedy about a neglected Dublin inner-city community and a dysfunctional pub football team who might just be their only hope. (You write about what you know!) I use football as the skeleton to hang the story on and I try to give an insight into what’s going on in the various players’ lives off the field. There are lots of mini stories going on throughout the book, which eventually come to a head, a bit like a Tarantino movie but with less blood. I’ve been very lucky with the reviews to date with a lot of people comparing my novel to Roddy Doyle’s Barrytown Trilogy, something I am very pleased about as I’m a massive fan. I originally wrote Baxter’s Boys as a six-part television series about seventeen years ago and sent it to the BBC. It unfortunately never got made and I parked it for a long time before revisiting it about four years ago. I then adapted it into a novel and my life experiences in between that time have definitely helped to improve it as a story. I’m now in the process of giving it another go as a screenplay so if there’s anyone out there with a blank cheque just give me a call. I have almost finished my second novel, which is a darkly comic, romantic/kidnap caper and I’m also co-writing a feature length film exploring far more serious social issues, so the two projects couldn’t be more different.
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Patrick: The first book I remember reading outside of schoolwork was Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. I was around eleven and was hooked; I still love that style of adventure books. Last Of The Breed by Louis L’Amour and Lord Of The Flies by William Golding are also two excellent books from that genre.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Patrick: I like to make sure that what I write is correct unless I’m using a bit of artistic license. It’s also far easier to write about what you know. If I’m working on something I’m not too familiar with or if it’s from a different time period I will try to meet up with people with firsthand knowledge or at least know more about the subject than I do. I also try to read books similar to the topics which I’m going to explore to try and get a more rounded view of things. And for all its faults, the internet is also a massive resource.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Patrick: I think all writers do even if it’s unintentional. Most of my characters are a combination of several people or at least caricatures of individuals and if there are any similarities it is of course only coincidental (my solicitor told me to say that!).
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Patrick: There are two books which have really stuck with me and both are based around the First World War. Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks and A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry. Both are stunningly vivid, desperately tragic and don’t shy away from the horrors of war. I would highly recommend them.
Alex: I remember reading Birdsong when it came out in 1993. It's a brilliant and powerful work, and it put Faulks on the literary map. I'll look out for A Long Way. How do you market your books?
Patrick: My debut novel was published by a small publisher so the overwhelming majority of the marketing was left up to me. It would probably have been a lot easier if I was with a larger publishing house where they have greater resources and a lot more connections in the industry. That said, my publisher was wonderful to work with and always at the other end of the phone to answer my numerous questions and to calm my fears. Word of mouth has probably been the most successful marketing tool for me to date. I had a book launch in a brewery in Killarney (where else are you going to have a launch about a dysfunctional pub football team?). There were plans to have another big launch in Dublin and to get the novel into bookshops but Covid struck and we all know what happened next. Baxter’s Boys has found its way into a number of bookshops across Ireland since then but it has definitely suffered due to the pandemic like so many other books. Social media has played a vital role in getting the novel out there although I wasn’t overly familiar with it in the beginning but you quickly adapt. I am now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn and am continuously learning. I’ve made connections through social media and have received help and advice from some wonderful people. As a result I have managed to secure interviews on several radio stations, had articles in numerous publications and have been asked to do a number of podcasts. The only paid advertising I’ve done so far has been on Facebook ads and I’ve been happy enough with the outcome. I’ve also been fortunate to get my novel into over forty libraries across Ireland and you are always hoping that readers will become aware of you and maybe buy more of your work in the future.
Alex: I think ibraries are often overlooked and are great places for new authors, because readers are far more willing to try new names when they're not parting with money. What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Patrick: As I mentioned earlier I am a football referee (I don’t get enough abuse at home!) and I coach Gaelic football. I love to read of course and to listen to music, mostly stuff from the 80s, which my family are ecstatic about! When I get the opportunity to travel I jump at it and have managed to spend time in Munich and Berlin this year.
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Patrick: I admire anyone brave enough to write a book in the first instance and to put it out there to be scrutinized and judged. Authors who seem to have the ability to write books year in year out should also be greatly admired. For me Stephen King is probably at the top of the pile. His longevity in the industry and his vivid imagination, not just in horror, really appeals to me and I have grown up on his work. There are also authors out there who you may have nothing in common with and come from a completely different social standing but who can still tell a cracking tale. Jeffrey Archer is one such author who comes to mind and he’s also been around forever.
Alex: Thank you so much Patrick for allowing us a peek into your writing life and giving us a flavour of Baxter's Boys, which sounds absolutely terrific. I'm going to have to grab a copy.
Patrick: Thank you Alex. It's been a real pleasure talking to you.
Patrick: Well, my debut novel is Baxter’s Boys, a dark comedy about a neglected Dublin inner-city community and a dysfunctional pub football team who might just be their only hope. (You write about what you know!) I use football as the skeleton to hang the story on and I try to give an insight into what’s going on in the various players’ lives off the field. There are lots of mini stories going on throughout the book, which eventually come to a head, a bit like a Tarantino movie but with less blood. I’ve been very lucky with the reviews to date with a lot of people comparing my novel to Roddy Doyle’s Barrytown Trilogy, something I am very pleased about as I’m a massive fan. I originally wrote Baxter’s Boys as a six-part television series about seventeen years ago and sent it to the BBC. It unfortunately never got made and I parked it for a long time before revisiting it about four years ago. I then adapted it into a novel and my life experiences in between that time have definitely helped to improve it as a story. I’m now in the process of giving it another go as a screenplay so if there’s anyone out there with a blank cheque just give me a call. I have almost finished my second novel, which is a darkly comic, romantic/kidnap caper and I’m also co-writing a feature length film exploring far more serious social issues, so the two projects couldn’t be more different.
Alex: What was the first book you read?
Patrick: The first book I remember reading outside of schoolwork was Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. I was around eleven and was hooked; I still love that style of adventure books. Last Of The Breed by Louis L’Amour and Lord Of The Flies by William Golding are also two excellent books from that genre.
Alex: How much research do you do and what does it usually entail?
Patrick: I like to make sure that what I write is correct unless I’m using a bit of artistic license. It’s also far easier to write about what you know. If I’m working on something I’m not too familiar with or if it’s from a different time period I will try to meet up with people with firsthand knowledge or at least know more about the subject than I do. I also try to read books similar to the topics which I’m going to explore to try and get a more rounded view of things. And for all its faults, the internet is also a massive resource.
Alex: Do you ever base your characters on people you have encountered in real life?
Patrick: I think all writers do even if it’s unintentional. Most of my characters are a combination of several people or at least caricatures of individuals and if there are any similarities it is of course only coincidental (my solicitor told me to say that!).
Alex: Which was the last book you read that blew you away?
Patrick: There are two books which have really stuck with me and both are based around the First World War. Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks and A Long Long Way by Sebastian Barry. Both are stunningly vivid, desperately tragic and don’t shy away from the horrors of war. I would highly recommend them.
Alex: I remember reading Birdsong when it came out in 1993. It's a brilliant and powerful work, and it put Faulks on the literary map. I'll look out for A Long Way. How do you market your books?
Patrick: My debut novel was published by a small publisher so the overwhelming majority of the marketing was left up to me. It would probably have been a lot easier if I was with a larger publishing house where they have greater resources and a lot more connections in the industry. That said, my publisher was wonderful to work with and always at the other end of the phone to answer my numerous questions and to calm my fears. Word of mouth has probably been the most successful marketing tool for me to date. I had a book launch in a brewery in Killarney (where else are you going to have a launch about a dysfunctional pub football team?). There were plans to have another big launch in Dublin and to get the novel into bookshops but Covid struck and we all know what happened next. Baxter’s Boys has found its way into a number of bookshops across Ireland since then but it has definitely suffered due to the pandemic like so many other books. Social media has played a vital role in getting the novel out there although I wasn’t overly familiar with it in the beginning but you quickly adapt. I am now on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & LinkedIn and am continuously learning. I’ve made connections through social media and have received help and advice from some wonderful people. As a result I have managed to secure interviews on several radio stations, had articles in numerous publications and have been asked to do a number of podcasts. The only paid advertising I’ve done so far has been on Facebook ads and I’ve been happy enough with the outcome. I’ve also been fortunate to get my novel into over forty libraries across Ireland and you are always hoping that readers will become aware of you and maybe buy more of your work in the future.
Alex: I think ibraries are often overlooked and are great places for new authors, because readers are far more willing to try new names when they're not parting with money. What are your interests aside from writing? And what do you do to unwind?
Patrick: As I mentioned earlier I am a football referee (I don’t get enough abuse at home!) and I coach Gaelic football. I love to read of course and to listen to music, mostly stuff from the 80s, which my family are ecstatic about! When I get the opportunity to travel I jump at it and have managed to spend time in Munich and Berlin this year.
Alex: Which authors do you particularly admire and why?
Patrick: I admire anyone brave enough to write a book in the first instance and to put it out there to be scrutinized and judged. Authors who seem to have the ability to write books year in year out should also be greatly admired. For me Stephen King is probably at the top of the pile. His longevity in the industry and his vivid imagination, not just in horror, really appeals to me and I have grown up on his work. There are also authors out there who you may have nothing in common with and come from a completely different social standing but who can still tell a cracking tale. Jeffrey Archer is one such author who comes to mind and he’s also been around forever.
Alex: Thank you so much Patrick for allowing us a peek into your writing life and giving us a flavour of Baxter's Boys, which sounds absolutely terrific. I'm going to have to grab a copy.
Patrick: Thank you Alex. It's been a real pleasure talking to you.
