I've always loved mysteries, the something there that you didn't know, and with 'Case Histories' I just decide to make that more up-front. Kate Atkinson casedecidefront Change image and share on social
Everyone said, 'Well, you're very old for a first novel,' and I said, 'How do you write when you haven't lived? How do you write when you have no experience? How do you write straight out of university?' Kate Atkinson experiencelivestraight share on social
Not being published would be great. When I say that to other writers they look at me as if I'm totally insane. Kate Atkinson greatinsanepublish Change image and share on social
Because I've a track record of talking about books I never write, in Australia they think I'm about to write a book about Jane Austen. Something I said at some festival. Kate Atkinson austenaustraliabook Change image and share on social
My highest point was the first thing I won, a short story competition in a women's magazine in the Eighties. It was the first time I'd had my writing validated, and the first thing I'd ever shown anyone else. Kate Atkinson competitioneightyhigh share on social
Probably not needing to be published would give me more time to think about a book. Kate Atkinson bookgiveneed Change image and share on social
When I started 'Case Histories,' the characters were all going to Antarctica on a cruise. The first part was called 'Embarkation.' It was supposed to be about everyone preparing to embark on the cruise, but it mushroomed into an entire book. Kate Atkinson antarcticabookcall share on social
The legacy of the fairy story in my brain is that everything will work out. In fiction it would be very hard for me, as a writer, to give a bad ending to a good character, or give a good ending to a bad character. That's probably not a very postmodern thing to say. Kate Atkinson badbraincharacter share on social
I spent four years doing a doctorate in postmodern American literature. I can recognize it when I see it. Kate Atkinson americandoctorateliterature Change image and share on social
Fairy tales opened up a door into my imagination - they don't conform to the reality that's around you as a child. I started reading when I was three and read everything, but I wanted to be an actress. Kate Atkinson actresschildconform share on social
