I had the pleasure of interviewing author John Connolly yesterday, far and away one of the most enjoyable interviews I’ve had in a long time. Interviews can be quirky, and as a journalist, you’re always conscious that you’re imposing on someone to fill space on a page and make a living. You feel like you’re under pressure to seem genuinely interested in the subject, even if that is genuinely the case. It’s akin to the crawling guilt you feel in the presence of Gardaí.

Of course, that means that you risk coming across as a venal, malingering hack, disinterestedly waiting for the sound bite before running off in a hissing fit of pleasure like Gollum with a ring.

Not so yesterday, John was eloquent and easy to talk to. Not being a huge crime fiction fan didn’t seem to matter, either, as we talked about the discipline of writing, the nature of journalism (he worked freelance for the Irish Times) and why people write. It’s clearly a passion for him, and you can see why readers and writers alike warm to him.

His blog, neatly patched into his official site, is here.

Full write-up in the Echo soon.

Email me for the password to the post below.

Seeking an Irish-based cartoonist with a firm grip on the balls of Irish politics for a project here, which could become an ongoing affair.

Interested parties should email newsdesk[at]irishecho[dot]com[dot]au.

EDIT: We’re no longer looking, but if you fancy dropping us a line we’ll keep your details on file for when we do. Thanks to everyone who got in touch.