The Writers Write Interview – Marina Lewycka
In this post, we share our interview with Marina Lewycka. The author was our guest at an event in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Marina Lewycka is a British novelist of Ukrainian origin. Her debut novel A Short History of Tractors in Ukrainian
The Writers Write Interview With Marina Lewycka
The Author: Marina Lewycka
Date: 11 & 12 June 2008
Place: The Grace & Sofia’s, Rosebank
Date of birth: 12 October 1946
The Book: Two Caravans
1. Who is your favourite hero of fiction?
Homer Simpson. The perfect everyman.
2. What is your most treasured possession?
My laptop.
3. Which living person do you most dislike?
Jeremy Clarkson
4. What is your greatest fear?
That I will outlive my daughter and my husband.
5. Who or what has been the greatest love of your life?
My husband David Feickert, and my daughter, Sonia.
6. What is your greatest regret?
Not having been published sooner.
V I Warshawski (created by Sara Paretsky)
8. Which book have you read the most in your lifetime?
The Golden Treasury: The Best of Classic English Verse by Francis Palgrave
9. What is your favourite journey?
From Manchester Airport over Snake Pass to Sheffield, especially in August with the Heather blooming.
10. What do you prefer, Dogs or Cats?
Dogs. Paddy was the inspiration for the cross Labrador/Collie in Two Caravans.
11. What quality do you most admire in a woman?
Kindness.
12. Which book that you’ve written is your favourite?
I can’t choose. They are both like my children. I love them equally.
13. What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Go on a course. After many rejections, I did, and was published as a result.
14. What are your favourite names?
Mercy and Grace.
15. What do you do as a hobby?
Walking in the Peak District.
16. What are your top three books?
- Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie
- Nights at the Circus
by Angela Carter
- What a Carve Up! by Jonathan Coe
17. Where do you get your greatest ideas for writing?
Whilst eating porridge for breakfast.
Interviewed by Amanda Patterson
11 & 12 June 2008
If you want to read more of our interviews, click here