Camilla Chester, a dedicated dog walker and writer, began her professional journey after moving to Hertfordshire from Sheffield in 2010. She holds a Diploma in Creative Writing and Literacy from the Open University and actively participates in writing communities like SCBWI, FCBG, and the Society of Authors (SoA).
Her writing is inspired by diverse sources, from intriguing conversations to vivid locations, and she embraces a flexible, evolving process. Camilla primarily writes for 8-12-year-olds but engages readers of all ages.
Camilla will read at ilb on 13 September at Haus der Berliner Festspiele.
What books are on your bedside table?
The Boy Who Didn’t Want to Die by Peter Lantos, Vivi Conway and the Sword of Legend by Lizzie Huxley-Jones, Wavewalker by Suzanne Heywood and I’m listening to Cosimo Unfortunate Steals a Star by Laura Noakes.
Which book or author do you always return to?
Since becoming an adult there aren’t many books that I read again like I used to as a child. I’m repeatedly drawn to adult fiction writers whom I admire and gain inspiration from such as Margaret Atwood, Maggie O’Farrell and Anne Tyler. I have the same for many children’s fiction writers, such as Katya Balen and Zillah Bethell. However, I love discovering new authors and will often read their back catalogue.
What kind of reader were you as a child?
I was lucky to be in a family who valued reading so was surrounded by books. I was either read to or had a story tape on every night, we regularly went to the library and I was always gifted books for birthdays etc. I had my own carefully organised home library! I read a lot, whenever and wherever and had fairly varied tastes. I was a member of the Puffin Club and saw children’s authors as rockstars. Children’s Authors were given much more attention and acclaim when I was a child, but I never had one visit my school. I would’ve loved that. I still can’t believe that I get to call myself a Children’s Author and have lots of friends who are authors. I feel incredibly lucky.
When working on a new project, how do you sift through competing ideas in order to move forward?
I really wish I could tell you what my process is! I’ve just written an article entitled How do I write a book again? about this very thing. You can read it on the Writers & Artists website.
I do try to finish the stage I’m at with one particular project before moving on, whether that is a first draft, or whatever. I'll often have other things waiting in the wings that I’ll move onto whilst I let a MS breathe. Giving it space and moving away can really help when returning to see what needs to change. The space helps me be a lot more objective and put my ‘editorial hat’ on.
The internationales literaturfestival berlin (ilb) has become essential to Berlin’s literary calendar. What do you connect with the city?
I can’t tell you how honoured I am to be taking part this year. Call Me Lion is the book that has completely changed my career and it feels like such a privilege to be going. It will be my second time in Berlin. I have a friend who lives there and so I suppose she is what I most connect to the city. The most powerful thing in Berlin, for me, is the East Side Gallery. To see the murals painted on, what remains of, the Berlin Wall is hugely impactful. I remember watching it come down on the news and the reaction of my mum told me that this was a monumental time in the history of western society. It restores my belief in humanity when I see or think about those paintings because art is regenerative, healing and necessary, whatever form it takes.