An interview with the author of Sleeping
Through War - Jackie Carreira
How many unpublished
books do you have lurking under your bed/in your cupboard?
There are two novels that I'm working on at the moment, both
sitting proudly on my desk, and at least another three books in my head - not
to mention a number of stage plays. Ideas are never in short supply. My mental
cupboards are full of them!
Are your
family/friends supportive of your writing?
I'm extremely fortunate to have a lot of support from
friends and family. My husband is an actor, so he understands how ridiculous
(and wonderful) it is to try and earn a living from the creative arts. And as
for friends, not only have they been buying my book, they've actually been
reading it as well! I've had friends get in touch to wish my well that I
haven't seen for years, and I can't thank them enough. It's that kind of
support that keeps me wanting to write.
How do you deal with
rejection letters/bad reviews of your own work?
Rejection is just another part of doing anything creative.
Nothing is ever loved by all - not even those books that we call 'classics' or
'greats' - because all art is subjective. It has to be because it's not
governed by the logical brain. Anyone who wants to be a writer has to find ways
to cope with rejection because it will come. I tend to initially get
disgruntled: "They just don't understand my work!" Then after half an
hour of that, I get depressed: "Maybe they're right; I'm just useless. I
should quit and get a proper job." Then after a couple of hours of that, a
cup of coffee and a piece of cake, it moves on to: "Oh well, it just
wasn't for them. What shall I write next?" And that's pretty much exactly
how it goes. As for bad reviews, I'm very lucky not to have had any of those
yet. There's still time!
When did you first
call yourself a writer?
It was the first time somebody else called me a writer. Some
years ago, I did a Creative Writing evening course in London. The tutor was
brilliant and really encouraging. At the end of the course she asked what I
wanted to do, and I said, "I really want to be a writer." She said,
"No, you already are a writer.
What do you want to do about it?" I've been calling myself a writer ever
since.
What are the common
traps for aspiring writers/or tips for a newbie writer?
Don't be afraid to throw your work in the bin! Sounds crazy,
but a big trap for new writers is not being able to let go of an idea, a
character, a story that just isn't good enough for where you are right now or
that simply doesn't work. Letting go of what doesn't work makes space for new ideas
that just might. Don't clutter up your mind with 'what ifs'...which is good
advice for life generally!
Why did you write Sleeping Through War? (What was the spark that made you put pen to paper?)
History is one of my favourite subjects, but so much of it
is written from the point of view of the victors or those on the cutting edge
of change. There is very little about the 'ordinary' people - the
underprivileged, the minorities, and women in general - unless it's some
criminal activity or disease! I was a child during the period in which Sleeping Through War is set (1968), so I
was alive at a time which is now taught in history classes - very sobering!
Growing up as the daughter of immigrant parents in a very working-class
environment, I wanted to pay tribute to those, particularly women, that I met
when I was young because they're the kind of people that don't make it into the
history books. Their lives are nevertheless important and fascinating and I
didn't want them to be forgotten.
What is Sleeping Through War about?
Sleeping Through War
is about dignity and resilience in the face of everyday struggles. Set during
1968, it deals with issues like racism, poverty, grief, prejudice, but it
doesn't shout about them - it tells you about them quietly, almost casually,
because all kinds of prejudice were so casual at the time. It also illustrates
how little has changed for women in 50 years. The recent International Women's
Marches and the #MeToo campaign show that women are still having to fight for
equality. Having said that, Sleeping
Through War is not deliberately a feminist book. It's a novel about ordinary
people, written from a female perspective, who learn how to find hope despite
their difficulties - Spoiler alert! Yes, there is hope at the end. It's been
called 'accessible literary fiction,' and I think that's a good description.
Who would be your
dream cast if Sleeping Through War was made into a movie?
I love this question! I would have Selma Hayek playing
Amalia (a Portuguese war widow and mother); Octavia Spencer playing Rose (a
West Indian nurse living in East London); and, of course, Meryl Streep playing
Mrs Johnson (a housewife from Washington whose son is fighting in Vietnam). Can
somebody please make this film? I want to see it!
Is there an
underlying theme to this book?
If I had to narrow it down to one word, it would be
'Dignity.' That's what the three women in the book have in common, despite
everything that happens to them. Perhaps I unconsciously decided to write about
this quality because I need a little more of it myself!
Can you share a few
lines from your best review of Sleeping Through War?
I've been lucky to have had lots of great reviews. But the
best review was from one of the anonymous readers when Sleeping Through War received a Chill
With A Book award in May. It was only three words long, but I don't know if
I'll ever have a review as pleasing as this: "A beautiful novel."
Introducing…
Sleeping Through War
It is May 1968. Students are rioting, civil rights are being
fought and died for, nuclear bombs are being tested, and war is raging in
Vietnam.
For three ordinary women in Lisbon, London and Washington life must go
on as usual. For them, just to survive is an act of courage.
How much has
really changed in 50 years?
Jackie Carreira is a writer, musician, designer, co-founder
of QuirkHouse Theatre Company, and award-winning playwright.
She mostly grew up
and went to school in Hackney, East London, but spent part of her early
childhood with grandparents in Lisbon's Old Quarter. Her colourful early life
has greatly influenced this novel.
Jackie now lives in leafy Suffolk with her
actor husband, AJ Deane, two cats and too many books.
No comments:
Post a Comment