(Under)valuing What Comes Naturally: A conversation with Lucy Caldwell
Jun 27, 2019
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In this engaging chat, Lucy Caldwell, an award-winning novelist and playwright from Belfast, discusses the intricacies of storytelling, emphasizing gender and identity. She explores the powerful impact of second-person narratives and the emotional resonance they create. Caldwell reflects on her creative journey and the crucial role of family and literary festivals in fostering writers. The conversation also touches on the joys and struggles of crafting dialogue, as well as the value of literary connections and shared experiences in shaping one’s work.
Lucy Caldwell emphasizes the importance of representation in literature, showcasing diverse narratives to challenge societal norms and perceptions of identity.
Her journey as a writer highlights the critical role of supportive family and mentors in nurturing creative talent, contrasting with those facing discouragement.
Deep dives
Exploring Identity Through Storytelling
Caldwell's writing often delves into themes of identity, particularly concerning young women and underrepresented voices in Northern Ireland. By crafting a collection of short stories that feature diverse narratives, including a gay love story and the experiences of mixed-race relationships, she seeks to challenge societal norms. One poignant example is a story featuring a character who feels she is in the wrong body, which is strategically positioned in the collection to surprise and engage readers. This storytelling approach highlights the significance of representation and the complexities individuals face regarding their identities.
The Author's Journey and Support Systems
Caldwell reflects on her lifelong passion for writing, which began in childhood, as she constantly created stories and imaginative worlds with her sisters. She emphasizes the critical role that supportive family and teachers played in nurturing her artistic spirit, contrasting it with experiences of individuals who faced discouragement in pursuing creative careers. An illustrative anecdote includes a former student, the son of Indian immigrants, who felt stifled by his parents' expectations and struggled to reconnect with his passion for writing. Caldwell's narrative underscores the importance of encouragement in the formative years to cultivate creative talent successfully.
Balancing Structure and Intuition in Writing
Caldwell discusses her approach to writing, balancing a sense of structure with the freedom of instinctual creativity. For novels, she prefers to have a rough trajectory and a clear ending in mind before beginning, while her short stories allow for more spontaneous expression. She cites the process she employs in rewriting, which involves physically retyping drafts to gain a fresh perspective and refine her work. This practice helps her maintain clarity and ensures that she engages with her writing as a reader, revealing the challenges and joys of the creative process.
Lucy Caldwell (award-winning novelist and playwright) in conversation with Lakshya Datta (founder of Launchora). Lucy Caldwell was born in Belfast in 1981. She studied English at Queen's College, Cambridge, and for an MA in Creative and Life Writing at Goldsmith's, University of London. She is the author of three novels: Where They Were Missed (2006); The Meeting Point (2011), set in Bahrain immediately prior to the Iraq War; and All the Beggars Riding (2013). Her first novel was shortlisted for the Dylan Thomas Prize and the Waverton Good Read Award, and The Meeting Point won the Dylan Thomas Prize. Her debut collection of short stories, Multitudes, was published by Faber in 2016. She is also the editor of the recent Faber anthology Being Various: New Irish Short Stories. Also a successful playwright, her first stage play, Leaves (2007), premiered at Chapel Lane, Galway after which it was performed at the Royal Court. It was awarded the George Devine Award in 2006 and the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize in 2007. Lucy was a speaker at #JLFBelfast2019.
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