My first literary festival....

"Candida darling" an upperclass accent belowes across the room "it's nearly time to go in". Where else could I be other than the Soho Literary Festival.  I'm here to see P D. James and Ruth Rendell.  I've never been to something like this before and I'm excited. When friends and family have asked me "What you up to this weekend?" I've taken great joy in replying "Oh i'm off to the Soho Literary Festival with friends from my writers group." Ooh get me I sound a bit like a writer.

We file into the theatre and on the stage below us sits the grand old dame of detective fiction Phyllis D. James and her friend Ruth Rendell. They inform us that they are indeed great friends and have been for a number of years.  Although they have differing political opinions they are both life peers and been known to greet each other affectionalty across the floor of the house with a kiss much to the ammusement of the rest of the lords. 

The next hour consisted of the two legendary writers simply chatting, reviewing their great works and offering advice.  It was one of the best hours I've spent in a long time.  At 91, P D James is as sharp as a tack and equally as witty. Here are the highlights of the evening:

One piece of advice on which the both writers agreed was the importance of reading your work aloud. P D James now dictates her work to a secretary and she said this process allows her to hear the rhythm and the poetry in the prowse. Whilst Rendell says that dialogue has to sound true, ask yourself, is it really how people speak? The question of where ideas originate from was a running theme.

What struck a chord with me is the idea that whatever plot you have, ground it with something relevant from today's society, they both said "write your world" it gives the piece validity and a relevant place 30 years from now.

Ultimately, Phyllis said that if she can write something true about men and women and the society we live in then she is happy. I could tell you more but when there was so much relevant and interesting advice, it's hard to know what to include and what to leave out. All I can say is that I am truly inspired to persevere with my writing and to simply get better.  

I think I will let P D James herself have the last word; All writers need to "Read widely, read the best, increase your vocabulary and write. Open your senses to the world. No experience no matter how painful should be lost to the writer"

 P D James' new novel Death Comes To Pemberly is out on the 3rd November and Ruth Rendell revealed she is currently writing a new Barbara Vine.

Recommended reading:
P D James Children of men
Josephine Tey The Franchise Affair
Dorothy L Sayers The Nine Tailors

Ruth Rendell Make Death Love Me