A Pod of Two Halves: An Interview With Rodge Glass plus Extra Time…

The latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast is out now and has Ali interviewing writer Rodge Glass. The original attempt to record him was before the launch of his latest novel Bring Me the Head of Ryan Giggs at Mono in Glasgow but that was lost to the Matrix so we eventually reconvened and recorded at Scots Whay Hae! Towers a couple of days later. Ian did manage to record Rodge’s reading from the night at Mono which we give to you as a podcast bonus extra. There’s a little interference but what you do get is a better taste of the novel than any review or interview could possibly offer.

But, as everything is indeed for the best in this best of all possible worlds, the new interview with Rodge is considerably longer, more relaxed, and just damned better than the one that got away. He talks fully about his life as a writer, and how the different forms of writing; fiction, biography and graphic novel, have helped to free him from worrying about the expectations of others, and himself, and to write in his own voice. Anyone interested in pursuing a life as a writer, or who are simply fascinated by how a creative process can develop, will be interested in what he has to say.

During their discussion the talk turns to A. Gray, R. Giggs, R.A. Jamieson and D. Day-Lewis as well as looking at Glass’s previous books No Fireworks, Hope for Newborns, Alasdair Gray: A Secretary’s Biography and Dougie’s War. But the main focus is on Bring Me the Head of Ryan Giggs, the aims and ideas behind it, the problems with even alluding to living legends, and how the book has been received so far. To find out the Scots Whay Hae! view you should have a look at this review.

You can listen to and subscribe to the Scots Whay Hae! podcast by going to iTunes or by RSS. The line-up for the next one is still to be confirmed, but if everything goes according to plan it should involve some live music once we can work out if it is feasible or not.

Thanks as always for listening and if you have any ideas that may improve the podcasts, or thoughts about future recordings, then please get in touch at scotswhayhae@gmail.com .