Interview with Writer Shanta Everington
1. Have you always been a writer?
I've had all sorts of jobs from vegan cake maker to maths teacher to helpline manager. I've always enjoyed writing but it wasn't until I turned thirty that I started taking it seriously and sending work out.
2. When did you realize that maybe writing was actually a "thing" you could do, get published and even sell?
I had my first publication in my early thirties - an autobiographical poem, 'Specimen', written about a medical examination. Life writing is my first love. I always thought of writing as a hobby and even now, I understand it's incredibly difficult to make a full-time living as a writer and most of us have portfolio careers. These days I teach creative writing at university, run reading groups, take freelance gigs and various side hustles!
3. What was your first sale as a writer and how did it feel to sell your work?
My early publication successes were unpaid. The first time I received payment for my writing was my first royalty cheque for my debut novel, Marilyn and Me (Cinnamon Press). It was a modest sum but felt amazing!
4. How has writing helped you in other areas of life besides being something you could earn money from?
Writing is like breathing - it hurts not to do it. I write to understand. I write to express myself. I write to communicate. It feels pretty primal.
5. What was your biggest accomplishment as a writer?
So far... I'd probably say achieving my PhD in Creative Writing. It certainly boosted my confidence and provided new avenues to explore.
6. Who has inspired you the most in the writing field?
A great many people. My top three writers are probably Jeanette Winterson, Jackie Kay and Margaret Attwood. They are the Goddesses of Writing.
7. What are some of the challenges you have faced as a writer and how did you overcome them?
The usual challenges - lack of confidence, lack of time, lack of money, and, of course, rejections. Rave rejections were the hardest. 'The writing is fantastic but...' 'We're sure you have a fine writing career ahead but ...' There's always a 'but'! Getting dropped by my literary agent was a bruising experience. I overcame challenges through all the usual ways: developing resilience and self-belief, determination, perseverance, hard work. And bloody mindedness!
8. What is the best writing advice you have ever received and why do you feel it is important?
'Rome wasn't built in a day.' Cliche but true! Writing is about the long game. Be patient. Read everything. Soak it all up. Develop your voice. Hone your craft. Rewrite and rewrite some more.
9. What sort of writing do you do now?
My latest book (based on my PhD research) is experimental life writing in hybrid form. It combines edited interviews, quotation collage, re-imagined scenes, lyric essay and poetry.
10. Where can we find some of your work online?
You can read some of my poetry and check out my publications via my author website at: shantaeverington.wordpress.com
My latest book, Another Mother: Curating and Creating Voices of Adoption, Surrogacy and Egg Donation, is published by Routledge on 8th June - available to pre-order NOW - link here: Another Mother: Curating and Creating Voices of Adoption, Surrogacy an (routledge.com)
That and my other books are also available to buy via Amazon and the other usual places.
11. What advice do you have for other aspiring writers thinking of taking the leap of getting their work published?
Join writing groups and classes to get feedback on your writing. Listen carefully to your readers. Take time developing your writing. When you think you have got your piece into the best possible shape, send it out and get on with the next idea. Learn from every rejection. And never give up!
12. What are your final thoughts about being a writer?
I love it!
ABOUT SHANTA:
Shanta Everington is Associate Lecturer in Creative Writing at The Open University, UK, where she gained her PhD in Creative Writing. A creative and critical writer working across a range of forms, much of Shanta’s writing explores recurring themes of difference, identity and belonging. Books include life writing research, Another Mother: Curating and Creating Voices of Adoption, Surrogacy and Egg Donation (Routledge, 2023); young adult novel XY (Red Telephone Books, 2014), set in a dystopian world where humans are born intersex with gender assigned at birth; and adult novel Marilyn and Me (Cinnamon Press, 2007), narrated by a young woman with a learning disability who models herself on Marilyn Monroe. Shanta works for the Royal Literary Fund as a Writing Fellow and Reading Round Lector and is a member of the National Association of Writers in Education (NAWE).
Author website: shantaeverington.wordpress.com
Forthcoming book out 8th June: Another Mother