Hollie spoke to Emma Hislop about her debut collection, Ruin and Other Stories. This collection shimmers with a brutal kind of hope, exploring power and its contortions, powerlessness and its depravities, and the ends to which we will go to claim back agency.
Tell us about yourself.
I whakapapa to Kāi Tahu. I love coffee and good books and spending time with my loved ones. I'm trying to write a novel now. I live in Taranaki with my partner and kid and dog. I currently am trying to make a living freelancing and juggling lots of jobs.
What are you currently reading?
Hiwa, the new collection of contemporary Maori short stories. It’s out with AUP and it’s a beautiful thing.
What inspired the collection?
I’ve always been interested in power and the different forms it can take. The way in which it can be upfront and obvious, or more subtle and coercive. That’s Ruin’s main preoccupation, probably.
What was the intention in naming the collection Ruin?
II like how Ruin can be both an end and also hold potential. The stories in this collection can be hard to read at times, but hopefully, by shining a light on them, some of the power is taken out of some of the violence that’s in them.
How did you go about choosing the cover art by Maiangi Waitai?
I’ve admired Maiangi’s work for years, and when I saw this image, which is titled ‘When pushed, pull’, it seemed to encapsulate the ideas I was trying to express in my writing. It’s both chaotic and full of potential. The publishing team at Te Herenga Waka went for it, luckily.
Do you have a favourite story from the collection?
That’s a hard question, but I think I’d choose The Game. I was interested in the power dynamic with the complicated friendship and it challenged me in terms of what each character knew or didn’t know about the situation. Also its set in summertime in Brixton, in South London where I lived for almost a decade.
How did you feel when you heard Ruin and Other Stories was going to be published?
I was happy! I’d hoped Te Herenga Waka would want it. I sent it there first as I’ve built up a bit of a relationship over the years.
What writing projects do you have in the pipeline?
I was fortunate to receive some CNZ funding last year to draft a novel, so I’ve been working hard on that. It’s set in Ōtepoti and I'm hoping to get back down there soon.
What is your favourite snack to enjoy while writing?
Honestly, as long as I have coffee and fizzy water, I’m good. I don’t really snack. Roasted almonds, if I can afford them.