Kiare Ladner

How did you become a writer?

My childhood had a lot of escape into books and imaginary worlds. Then during my tricky teenage years I didn’t read much. I decided I wanted to become an actress and went to drama school. I didn’t fit in but fell back in love with reading, signing long dead male authors as visitors into my women’s res. Around then, I decided I wanted to write. The next years alternated between burying myself in books, scribbling away every morning before work – and outward periods of wilder, exploratory times with others. Writing was at my core but I had no interest in classes or publication. Yet when I finally signed up for a writing workshop, the whole process gained an altogether different kind of momentum. 

Name your writing influences (writers, books, teachers, etc.).

Early influences were non-conformist writers, such as Bohumil Hrabal, Kathy Acker, Cookie Mueller, Herbert Selby Jr, Samuel L Delany and Tom Spanbauer. My first teacher, the late John Petherbridge, was honest, brilliantly well read and encouraging. (When I look back now at what I submitted to him, I respect him all the more.) Also Greg Keen, my first reader, who shows me again and again what I forget – how much can be cut in the interests of narrative energy. 

When and where do you write? 

At my desk at home, every morning. 

What are you working on now? 

A novel with a working title Four Clients. Except it might only be about one client. But if I say any more I’ll jinx it. 

Have you ever suffered from writer’s block? 

Yes. But here’s what I’ve found. Sometimes when I get ill, nothing major, a cold, say, the first thing I feel isn’t the physical symptoms but a sense of annoyance with myself. Why are you acting so glum? Why aren’t you working harder? Etc. A few hours on I realise I’ve got a cold and, with this, my perception shifts. Since what I thought was my fault was actually a reaction to something real, I’m able to be more patient and pragmatic. Similarly, with writers block, often there’s a real reason lurking behind the frustration. Maybe the story’s premise is faulty or the plot has problems or you’re shoehorning a character into a situation that doesn’t fit…. Recognising the problem, even if it’s a major one, is a relief because then you can take small steps to move on. 

What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever received?

Failing is an inherent part of writing. But it’s still tough. During my PhD, which was a story of failure until it suddenly did a U-turn, I thought of this quote a lot:

"Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” – Thomas A. Edison.

What’s your advice to new writers?

Read, widely, diversely, as much as you can. It’ll develop your intuition about what works and you need this as much as you need the tools of the craft. 

Kiare Ladner’s debut novel NIGHTSHIFT was recently published by Picador (UK) and Harper Collins (US). Her short stories have been anthologized, commissioned for the radio and shortlisted in competitions, including the BBC National Short Story Award. She has a Creative Writing PhD and an MA from the University of East Anglia. Feel free to contact her at www.kiareladner.com.