Amy Twigg: 'Always remember the focus of the scene you’re writing and don’t take criticism personally'
BY Emily Powter-Robinson
25th Jun 2024
Amy Twigg studied on our three-month Writing Your Novel course in London in 2021. Her debut novel Spoilt Creatures is out now with Tinder Press (Headline Publishing).
We spoke to Amy about the inspiration behind the book, creating atmospheric settings and entering writing competitions.
You studied on our three-month Writing Your Novel course in 2021. How did studying with us impact your approach to writing?
I’d almost finished the first draft of Spoilt Creatures when I was accepted onto the course. After the first few workshops, I realised the bulk of my draft needed completely rewriting. It can be scary but that’s the beauty of these workshops, they throw things into the light you hadn’t thought about. Now I’m a lot calmer about making cuts to my work, whereas before I was precious. If it’s not good enough, it goes.
Many of our students find lifelong writing friends on our courses. Are you still in touch with anyone you met on the course?
Yes, we have a group chat where we all stay in touch. Occasionally we’ll meet for drinks and discuss what we’re working on. I know other published authors who have done the course as well, and that’s a nice thing to bond over.
Your debut novel Spoilt Creatures revolves around a women's commune on a remote farm in Kent. Can you tell us a bit more about the book and the inspiration behind it?
I’d had the idea for a women’s commune several years ago but never quite figured out what story I wanted to tell. When I turned 30 during the pandemic, I went into an existential panic and knew I had to give writing my novel a serious go.
The landscape for women changed as I was writing Spoilt Creatures. Roe v. Wade was rolled back, domestic violence rose sharply during lockdown and Netflix continued churning out lascivious true crime documentaries without consulting the victims’ families. I began to think about safe spaces, and whether women can ever truly be free of the patriarchy and male violence, even in an all-female environment.
The descriptions of the commune are so visceral, I almost felt like I was there! Do you have any advice for readers who are wanting to create an atmospheric setting of their own?
I’m always inspired by imagery in movies, particularly horror movies. There’s something compelling about the way they build tension texturally, not just visually but through sound and time. The way this translates on the page for me is by creating a scenario in which my characters can interact with one another, letting them be meddlesome and seeing what comes from it.
Dark, feminist books about female rage are incredibly popular at the moment, and your debut has had comparisons to the likes of Sophie Mackintosh, Eliza Clark and Julia Armfield. Do you have any favourite books within this sub-genre of literary fiction?
Shirley Jackson is obviously the queen. Other recent favourites have been Bunny by Mona Awad, I’m a Fan by Sheena Patel and The Guest by Emma Cline.
What’s the best piece of advice you received from your tutor Lizzie Enfield during the three-month Writing Your Novel course?
Always remember the focus of the scene you’re writing, whether it’s plot or a certain visual motif, and don’t take criticism personally.
Spoilt Creatures won the BPA Pitch Prize and was longlisted for the Mslexia Novel Competition. Do you have any words of wisdom to share with the aspiring authors reading this who are thinking of entering a writing competition?
It’s always worth taking a punt on competitions. It’s ultimately how I met my agent. Even if you don’t win or make the shortlist, it’s a good way of pushing yourself towards getting your work out there.
Finally, what’s next for your writing journey?
I’m currently halfway through writing my second novel. Don’t ask me for the elevator pitch or I’ll cry.
Spoilt Creatures is out now!
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