Beginner’s pluck: 'Bodies' author Christine Anne Foley

'Bodies' follows Charlotte as she navigates increasingly toxic relationships through her teens, through college and during her teaching career

Sat, 20 Jul, 2024 - 01:00

Sue Leonard

From a bookish family, Christine was always writing poetry and stories.

“I wrote a play in sixth class and we put it on.”

As part of her degree, Christine took a module in creative writing with Deirdre Madden.

“She recommended that I take a Masters in Creative Writing.”

During her MA, Christine finished a novel which garnered some interest from agents.

I had a play produced at Oxford, and then I wrote another book, which I finished during a course with Curtis Brown in London.

Meanwhile, she was working in retail. Christine moved back to Ireland six years ago, and worked in a management position in Brown Thomas, and then Cos.

During ‘A Date with an Agent’, (organised by writing.ie,) she discussed the first chapter of Bodies, and was encouraged to persevere.

“Then the pandemic hit. I moved home to Kilkenny and wrote Bodies, finishing it in five months. I then signed with agent Sara O’Keeffe, and the rest followed.”

Who is Christine Anne Foley?

Date/ place of birth: 1990/ Graignamanagh, County Kilkenny.

Education: Duiske College; Trinity College Dublin, English. “It was a great fpur years. I found my people, and joined Players;” Oxford University, MA in Creative writing.

Home: Dublin.

Family: Mum and Dad, sisters Joanne and Rebecca.

The day job: Part time in sales in the Brown Thomas beauty department.

In another life: “I’d love to do stage acting. I did an acting course at Bow Street Academy after lockdown. I loved it, but I don’t think I’d be good enough.”

Favourite writers: Anne Enright; Paul Murray; Colin Walsh; Robert McLiam Wilson; Irvine Welsh.

Second book: “I’ve started it a few times. I’m waiting to see what I can learn from the reaction to Bodies.”

Top tip: “Read widely. Don’t focus on publication. And don’t take rejection to heart. It’s a business decision.”

Instagram: @yellowpolkadotbikini