An interview with Naomi Ishiguro
Episode 2, Season 2 podcast artwork, Naomi Ishiguro
Naomi Ishiguro joined me on the podcast, to talk about her latest book, The Rainshadow Orphans. It's the first in a dazzling new sci-fi and fantasy trilogy, already described as Studio Ghibli meets Pokemon. It's set in a mytholgical archipelago complete with sun spirits and bots, hackers and dragons. Underneath all the adventure and world-building, it's also a novel about power, exploitation, belonging and found family.
I loved this book and the incredibly original world Naomi’s created. I particularly appreciated the world building, because I know how hard it is to do well. I’ve been plodding away at a manuscript for a few years now. It’s YA and as it’s also a blend of sci- fi and fantasy, advanced technology and spirits, I found myself bringing it up in our conversation.
I tend not to talk about it much; I’m so close to it that I find it hard to explain succinctly when people ask what it’s about. I’ve also had two years off writing it, when I’ve felt blocked, despondent and buffeted by life events. There’s a certain reticence too as a non-published writer, struggling with the never-ending manuscript. Shame even. Once a family member’s response was, “what, STILL?!” when I mentioned working on it.
So yes, it was out of character - uncomfortable even - to bring it up, but I’m glad I did, as it opened up a discussion about what it means to be a writer. Naomi said so many interesting and encouraging things about the writing process and I encourage you to listen to the episode. Essentially, she said that being a published writer feels no different to being a non-published writer: both feel slightly unreal, unsure and precarious. What makes you a writer is the act itself, not the external validation. Naomi was quick-witted, self-effacing and really honest about what publication does and doesn’t change about writing and I felt uplifted and inspired to keep going.