It is probably important I try to do that more often, maybe.

If it's severed, ie, the writer removes themselves completely from what they are expressing, I have to work harder to hold my attention on it. I also prefer reading essays where that connection is kept intact. And I guess I am my own access to other people and the world and I like to write with that access kept intact. I do enjoy personal essay writing, but it is a tough one, while writing them I am obviously mining my own life and writing with the belief that someone might be interested in what I tell them - about myself, this feels like an immensely indulgent thing to do.īut it is not just out of an interest in myself, but an interest in the world and people. Is this area of writing something you’d like to pursue? It does not keep me or my family fed or clothed, however if I could immerse myself in it more often, either reading or writing, I really would.Ĭongratulations too for your nomination for the Best First-Person Essay or Feature at the Voyager Media Awards for your striking personal essay published by Newsroom. I just love working with words.Īrundhati Roy says fiction is her first love and greatest love, and that is true for me too. Writing human interest stories, interviewing people gives me a unique, though I admit sometimes sanitised, insight into people's lives. My experience as a reporter helped me with editing, and has improved my writing in general.

How do you balance fiction writing with journalism? Do you have a preference and do the two different forms inform each other?

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