Q&A Gyda Kaite O'Reilly

Kaite O’Reilly Q & A

How long have you been writing?

I’ve always written, even before I knew the alphabet. Apparently when I was two, I scrawled all over the blank pages of my elder brother’s school book, saying I was writing a story. I then wrote, produced, directed and acted in my first play, ‘The Haunting’, aged 8, dragging in all the local kids to perform and charging the adults 10 pence to see the monstrosity! This writing thing was very unusual - my background is working class Irish immigrant and my parents were far from literary. But they were wonderful storytellers and I grew up in a household where words were dazzling and alive and used daily, with great effect, to entertain, scold, praise or terrify. It was very unusual, but I always had this strange compulsion to write words down.

What is it like being an Irish writer living in Wales?

We’re cousins, so culturally it works. I’m really excited that Sherman Cymru are producing The Almond and the Seahorse. Most of my work is produced outside Wales and increasingly outside the UK, so it’s wonderful to have work written in Wales made in Wales – my words inside Welsh actors’ mouths.

Where did you get your inspiration from to write Almond and the Seahorse?

I think we should write from our passion, from what fascinates us. Memory, neuropsychology and the brain have been occupying me for some time. I wrote a radio play for the BBC about amnesia over 4 years ago and there were elements in that I wanted to explore further. In addition, an increasing number of my friends and relatives have experienced brain injury through accident or illness. I became aware of how common this is. Headway, the UK charity, calls Traumatic Brain Injury the silent epidemic, which compelled me even more to explore the subject matter dramatically. As a writer, I often explore themes and ideas which are impacting on my life to try and understand them more.

What next for Kaite O’Reilly?

A screenplay, a radio play and the completion of my first novel. I’m working as dramaturg on a project with Carri Munn, then a 3 months sabbatical in South Korea. June is in New York, researching a project which will keep me busy until early next year.

What advice have you got for anyone interested in writing or playwriting?

• Real writers write. Would-be writers talk about it. Endlessly. Shut your mouth and get out the pen or laptop.
• Write from your passion, your fascination
• Try to still the inner critic and censor. Don’t get it right, get it written – it’s a process. You can’t get it perfect first draft, so be kind to yourself and persevere.
• Learn your craft. You need to know how to construct before you can deconstruct; know the ‘rules’ before you can subvert or break them.
• Have something to say and a compulsion to communicate it.
• Do it. We’re entering an exciting time for new writing in Wales – there may well be openings and opportunities. We need new voices, fresh perspectives.