A good International Women’s Day? Aye Write!

What with one thing and another, I only made it to one event at Aye Write this year, but did I pick a good one or what? Myself, Kay and Sue headed along to the Jackie Kay and Val McDermid reading last Sunday night. It was totally packed out, which made for a great atmosphere.

Having read many a Val McDermid book and enjoyed both reading and hearing Jackie’s poetry being read aloud at GWL, I knew it would be a great night. But I think I enjoyed it all the more because I came with no idea about what the evening would hold, and surprised myself by being so enthralled by their short stories. I’m a novel lover and a recent convert to the joys of poetry. But I’ve always shied away from reading short stories as I feel kind of cheated when I get attached to a character, only for them to disappear after 30 pages. But I loved these stories! Let’s have more please! Val’s take on village life in Scotland was so insightful, with beautifully drawn characters and a fantastic twist at the end. Jackie’s wonderful evocation of a woman living out her dreams of becoming Masterchef in her own kitchen was spell-binding. Both writers have that fantastic knack of being both hilariously funny and deeply moving, often within the same breath.

It was fantastic that GWL got a mention from Jackie – a great bit of publicity for us, and also a lovely endorsement of our work.

Hearing writers read their work always feels like a bit of a privilege to me, and something which I wish I could experience more often. What an inspirational and memorable way to spend International Women’s Day this year.