Disclaimer – Q&A with Renée Knight

Disclaimer is Renée Knight’s debut novel, published on 9 April 2015 by Doubleday/Transworld.  The two week blog tour started yesterday with Laura’s Little Book Blog and today I’m hosting a Q&A with Renée – welcome to My Reading Corner Renée and thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. 

copyright Colin Hutton

Can you tell us what inspired you to write Disclaimer? Is this your preferred genre?

I had written a novel before Disclaimer which wasn’t published and in it was a section which touched on an episode from my adolescence involving a friend of mine. I knew she would recognise herself and I began to think about how terrible it would if the book were ever published and she read it before I had a chance to tell her about it. So that’s where the idea came from. As it turned out, I sent her the finished manuscript and she was fine about it and nobody wanted to publish it anyway.

Is this my preferred genre? Yes, I suppose it is although I don’t really think about genre when I start writing. I work out the story and tell it in what I hope is the most effective way.

How long did it take you to write the book and did you plan the storyline in detail at the beginning or just run with it?

It took me about a year to get a first draft down and yes I did work out the storyline and structure before I started writing but then I changed it as I went along. I had started out with one end, but half way through came up with something else. I need a structure before I begin writing but I also know it is a flexible thing which I am prepared to junk.

What is the best piece of writing advice you have ever been given?

To not show your work too soon. When I finished a draft I put it away for a few weeks and then looked at it again and re-wrote it. You don’t get a second chance so do not be too hasty in sending out your work. 

What sort of books do you enjoy reading, and what are you reading now?

I’m reading The Girl in the Red Coat by Kate Hamer, which I’m really enjoying. It reminds me a little of one of my favourite films: ‘Night of the Hunter’ by Charles Laughton. I enjoy a real variety of books but it’s honesty I look for – something unflinching and bold. 

What do you do to relax?

Walk or read.

What are you working on at the moment?

My second novel and the screenplay for Disclaimer.