Scottish playwright and author of 'Trainspotting' Irvine Welsh will sit down with 'Pig City' author Andrew Stafford as part of Brisbane Writers Festival.
Irvine Welsh – in conversation with Andrew Stafford – will talk about his latest book 'Dead Men's Trousers' and the first session will conclude with a special screening of 'Trainspotting' and a book signing.
Here, Andrew Stafford talks about the opportunity to go one-on-one with Irvine.
What are you looking forward to when it comes to Brisbane Writers Festival?
Good conversations with smart people.
Why do you think a festival like this is good?
Any respectable city should celebrate its arts, letters and musical communities and invite others from around the world to share in those discussions and ideas. When I arrived in Brisbane, it was a pretty insular place. Thankfully, it’s far more outward-looking now.
What do you think it is capable of teaching its attendees?
Writers’ festivals are about ideas from across the political and emotional spectrum on all sorts of topics. There are hundreds of conversations to be had, so it depends on what you choose to attend. Hopefully audiences will come with open minds.
You'll be having a conversation with the author of 'Trainspotting', Irvine Welsh. Have you done anything to prepare for this and if not, what do you plan on doing?
Of course – the first part of a journalist’s job is research. I’ll be reading as much as I can, not just of Irvine’s work but other interviews he’s done, in print, podcasts, TV and so on. The alternative is winging it, but that rarely ends well.
Andrew Stafford
What kinds of things will you be asking Irvine about in this chat?
Other than about his books, I expect we’ll talk about politics and music, particularly Brexit, Scottish independence, toxic masculinity, Donald Trump, Iggy Pop, and why Iggy would make the better septuagenarian president.
What are your general thoughts on Irvine as an author?
He’s a master of vernacular and of character development, and very funny.
Do you plan on attending any of the other events throughout Brisbane Writers Festival?
Yes, I’m looking forward to Robert Forster’s conversation with Tim Rogers, among other things. Both fine writers and not bad with a tune either. Tim’s book 'Detours' was definitely an influence, in some small way, on the book I’ve just written 'Something To Believe In' (out 2019).
What are you hoping audiences can get from attending this conversation between you and Irvine?
'Trainspotting' was huge for a reason; it spoke to a younger generation who felt left behind after the excesses of the '80s, just as millennials might feel left behind after the global financial crisis, which followed a similar boom. So I’m sure he still has plenty to say to us.
