Andy Conway is in the midst of publishing 11 novels by November 11th... 11x11. It's an ambitious goal. That looming deadline hangs over many of the characters populating his stories, they're in the grasp of incredible haste, of questionable judgement, and often the sort of lust for life we imagine we might have if we really believed life was short. Instead, unlike an Andy Conway novel, life drags on and on for as long as we know. Forever. Best to do some shopping then along the way, the Andy way...
1) What was the last electrical appliance you bought?
Andy Conway: Funnily enough, it was actually a Kindle. Bought it at B'ham International on the way out to a holiday in Italy and thought I'd finally make the move up from reading ebooks on my iPhone. I love it, but they've just announced the new Kindle Touch and I want one badly.
2) How many shoes do you own?
I'm pretty much a buy-a-pair-and-wear-them-out person. I buy two pairs of brown shoes in the autumn and a new pair of olive green Converse All Stars in the spring. That pretty much sees me through the year.
3) Thinking about only what you are wearing now and including your watch, jewellery and glasses if you wear them, how much would it cost me to get dressed up just like you? And where would I have to go to get the look?
Gosh. It's an Indian summer morning and I just happen to be wearing a pair of Quiksilver chinos given to me by a mate who was a fashion buyer for them, and a seersucker shirt made by a friend who designs shirts and given to me by my flatmate. Watch was a present from my girlfriend. Clarks sandals. Xmas present underpants. Straw hat I bought at a vintage stall for a tenner. So you'd need two generous friends, a generous girlfriend and about thirty quid.
4) What are you going to be eating for dinner tonight?
There's a slab of Barbadian jerk pork in the fridge with my name on it.
5) What is the most amount you have ever spent on a bottle of wine or other alcoholic beverage and when and where was it?
Probably the round of Jamesons Gold Reserves I bought for a large group of mates on Xmas Day at the Prince of Wales, Moseley, three years ago. It was a nice moment.
6) What and where is your favorite shop?
I don't really do shopping. I'd say Amazon, seeing as it's the shop that's on the verge of giving me a living. I used to love Folio 50 in Digbeth. I'm drawn to vintage boutiques that make me feel like I've slipped into the past.
7) How do you get around town?
I walk and I use public transport. Currently sorting out driving lessons so I can feel like an adult (and get an iris blue MGB Roadster).
8) Where is your favourite place to holiday?
Budapest keeps pulling me back, but I recently fell in love with Italy after holidaying in Florence and Abruzzo. I could quite happily live in Italy and holiday in Hungary.
More Andy Conway Week in Outsideleft:
An Introduction
Train Can't Bring Me Home
