Welcome to another episode of Book Ends, the podcast for writers and book lovers, and the FIRST episode for 2013. The break has been lovely but now it's time to get back to the writing, and the talking about writing! In this episode, I am in conversation with Scottish novelist, Isla Dewar, author of 16 novels, one of which is one of my most favourite books of all time.

Isla started her working life as a journalist but found she was drawn more to fiction than facts. Her first novel was published when she was 40 and she's gone on to enjoy a rather prolific career as a novelist and fiction writer.

Isla even wrote the screenplay when one of her books, Women Talking Dirty, was made into a film. She talks to me about this process, as well as giving her tips for those who want to follow in her footsteps!

You can listen to the podcast here:

Many thanks to Isla for her time in giving the interview. I hope you find it as illuminating as I did. I don't know about you, but I feel like a good cup of coffee now :)

"You must master the vices. You know that if a thing is worth doing it's worth doing well. If, however, a thing is not worth doing then it's worth doing fabulously, amazingly, with grace, style and panache." - Isla Dewar, from Women Talking Dirty

Guests

Isla Dewar

Scottish writer

Publications mentioned

Izzy's War by Isla Dewar (Ebury Press)

Secrets of a Family Album by Isla Dewar (Headline Review)

The Consequences of Marriage by Isla Dewar (Headline Review)

Women Talking Dirty by Isla Dewar (Headline Review) (and the film of the same name)

Keeping up with Magda by Isla Dewar (Headline Review)

Larry's Party by Carol Shields (Fourth Estate)

Unless by Carol Shields (Fourth Estate)

Girls Night In II (anthology) edited by Jessica Adams, Chris Manby and Fiona Walker (Penguin Books Australia, now out of print)

Credits

Presenter

Philippa Moore

Producer

Tom Schoon