In the provided statement, Joan Lingard explains her approach to setting scenes in Edinburgh when writing her novels. She emphasizes that she draws inspiration from areas with which she has a personal connection—such as the Southside and Marchmont, where she lived during her student days, and the New Town/Stockbridge area, where she resides now and has for three decades.
The deeper meaning of this quote reveals Lingard’s commitment to authenticity in her writing. By choosing settings that are familiar to her, she can imbue them with a sense of place and atmosphere that rings true to readers. This approach allows her characters to interact naturally within their environment, making the narrative more engaging and believable. Moreover, it highlights how an author's personal experiences and long-term residencies in specific locales contribute significantly to the richness and detail of their work.
Joan Lingard is a renowned Scottish writer known for her young adult novels set against the backdrop of Edinburgh, Scotland. Her extensive experience living in various parts of the city informs her writing style and contributes to the vivid portrayal of settings that are often central to the stories she tells.
