An Evening with Louis de Bernieres

Best selling author Louis de Bernieres opened his talk by saying he wasn't nice to come and talk to other writers. As writing leads to a solitary life and it was nice for him to get out.

There followed a relaxed and informal evening with a question and answer session; covering inspiration, agents and many writing problems. He said it was essential to visit places you're writing about, to absorb the atmosphere, local environments and historical events. Stressing the need for good reading material he said, "Junk food for the mind is as bad as junk food for the body." He believed that whatever happens to you in life is good research for writing. 

He was thanked for a thoroughly enjoyable evening.