Always Take Notes

#213: Diana Evans, novelist and journalist

May 27, 2025
Diana Evans, a celebrated novelist and journalist, discusses her impactful journey from journalism to fiction. She reflects on her latest collection, 'I Want to Talk to You,' exploring the evolution of Black voices in media and her unique writing rituals. Evans shares insights into the parallels between dance and writing, influenced by her own past as a dancer. She also addresses the challenges of publishing her first novel while balancing motherhood, and the importance of weaving social issues like the Grenfell Tower tragedy into her narratives.
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ANECDOTE

Unexpected Start in Journalism

  • Diana Evans got her first journalism job by chance as an intern when the culture editor abruptly quit.
  • She was thrown into covering a reggae festival with little experience, which she found to be a great learning opportunity.
INSIGHT

Journalism vs Fiction Writing

  • Diana Evans explains journalism gives financial stability and teaches discipline with deadlines.
  • Fiction offers deeper creative freedom and story construction that journalism can't provide.
ANECDOTE

Debut Novel Journey

  • After completing her MA, Diana sent the first chapters of her debut novel to agents, facing some rejections.
  • She secured an agent who agreed with her vision and signed a deal resulting in a tense but rewarding publishing process.
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