Hollie spoke to award-winning poet and playwright Dominic Hoey about his latest novel, Poor People With Money. This is a pacy, heart-twisting, punch-in-the-guts, darkly comic novel that captures life on the poverty line in Aotearoa now.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I normally wake up around 10 or 11, argue with Chilli (my dog), go to work at Atawhai and look after teenagers, come home, more arguing with Chilli. Around 10ish I start writing then when that becomes hopeless I read or watch a film. There's also drinking and talking shit with friends mixed in there.
Where did the inspiration for Poor People with Money come from?
I wanted to write about the shit people have to do just to get a pinch of dignity when you're broke. Also I used to train Muay Thai before I got sick and I always thought that combat sports in general is such an interesting community.
What is one thing you would like readers to take away from Poor People With Money?
I don't know if there was a moral I wanted people to get. Just hopefully it inspired people to write. Like if a dyslexic with no education can do it so can you.
How did your writing workshops come about?
When I was 18 I was in the dole office and they were like "what do you want to do?" and I kept on saying I wanted to be a writer. Which they must have thought was crazy. but I had a case worker who actually tried to find me short courses but there wasn't really anything. So once I learnt some stuff I really wanted to share this knowledge with people. especially people who wouldn't normally have access to it.
Do you have a different approach when it comes to writing a poem versus a novel?
Yeah its a real different part of the brain. I feel like poetry is squinting and looking at a photo and then describing it, where's a novel is a pile of photos you're trying to arrange into a story.
What can you tell us about your next novel?
I'm currently writing two. One is set over a month starting the day after the rainbow warrior bombing in 1985. It's about a thieving fat kid who's really good at video games. The other one is a paranormal mystery thriller set in Port Chalmers.
What is your favourite snack to enjoy while writing?
I don't really eat when I write. I smoke lots of weed when I write poetry. It doesn't help with novels though unfortunately
What author or book is a recent discovery for you?
I've recently got into Dan Chaon who writes quite dark kind of mysteries I guess. But they are more about families and breakdown of relationships. Also Night Boat to Tangier by Kevin Barry. One of the best books I've ever read
Can we expect Prince Chilli’s memoir anytime soon?
Yes, in fact the final draft of "Biting My Way To Happiness" is with Penguin as we speak