Jennafer Small enjoys Q&A with Irvine Welsh
A University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) graduate who studied the work of Irvine Welsh has met her literary idol.
Jennafer Small, who examined the writer’s use of masculinity and violence for her English literature dissertation, enjoyed a question and answer session with the famous author before he took to the UCLan stage to discuss his new book, Blade Artist.
"He told me it was easy to put yourself in a book by writing about your own life but said you need to broaden your mind and let your subconscious do the work."
The 24-year-old said: “It was absolutely brilliant to meet him. I was really nervous because he is my literary idol but he was really down to earth, very friendly and easy to speak to. He was also very funny; he had a wicked sense of humour.”
The Salford resident, who pens short stories and poems, even received some writing advice from the Trainspotting writer. She said: “He told me it was easy to put yourself in a book by writing about your own life but said you need to broaden your mind and let your subconscious do the work.”
Jennafer, who won the Red Rose Great Write Award while an undergraduate at UCLan, will graduate in July with a Masters by Research.
During the public event Irvine spoke about his upbringing in Scotland, his past struggles with drugs and his inspiration for becoming an author.