Stories leave fingerprints on every writer, and Louise Phillips carries an especially vivid map of influences, obsessions, and lived experience into her newest novel, Nina. In our conversation, Phillips reflects on the early books that cracked open her curiosity about human nature, the quiet discipline of early-morning writing sessions, and the pull toward ordinary people navigating extraordinary pressures. She also shares the surprising rituals behind her writing space, the challenges that have sharpened her craft, and what she most hopes readers hold close after turning the final page of Nina.
Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today?
A: Growing up, finances were always challenging at home, which meant my reading material comprised of secondhand books or borrowing books from the library. It also meant from an early age I was introduced to an eclectic mix of material, which looking back was a great way to be exposed to literature. I was certainly a fan of the Enid Blyton books, especially the Famous Five or the Secret Seven, however, a little later, other books stood out. Lord of the Flies by William Golding, for one. My young mind learnt a lot about human nature in between those pages.
Write on the World 