Interview by Danielle Largesse
Today we met an amazing author located down in Pocatello, Idaho. Michael Corrigan moved to Idaho from San Francisco where he received an MA in creative writing from San Francisco State. He was actively involved in theatre and worked with several theatre and film artists, including Sam Shepard and Peter Coyote. Michael attended the American Film Institute to study screenwriting. He has published 13 books, including Mulligan and a road novel, Down the Highway.
What initially attracted you to Idaho?
I got a job teaching English and Speech Communication at Idaho State University in Pocatello, and they kept hiring me year to year with some separations between jobs.
Which is your favorite book to read and which was your favorite to write?
The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner.
What are your hobbies outside of writing?
Blues guitar and harmonica, though it is not quite a hobby as I play with various bands.
Is there a particular author you admire and why?
Thomas Pynchon for his range, command of the language, and his expansive knowledge. If we are talking about modern writers, he is a master. There are so many writers deserving of admiration, including women writers.
What do you want readers to take away from your book?
The recent one is an intelligent thriller, In the River Bottoms. I hope they have a good time and learn something about Southeastern Idaho culture, including the Shoshone Bannock tribe on the Fort Hall Reservation. I hope they recognize the danger of white supremacist groups.
How can readers find you? Any last parting thoughts?
On Amazon and at a few libraries.
I am glad you are doing these surveys and bringing the work of local artists into some spotlight.