This much I know: Kit de Waal, author

Growing up, there were no books at home. Only the Bible and The News of the World. We were poor and university was never mentioned as an option. I went to grammar school and enjoyed writing but didn’t enjoy reading. Being a writer was never on my list of things to do.

I was wild. I left home at 16 after an argument with my father. I moved in with my friend for a life of sex, drugs and rock and roll. It was easy to get the dole and a flat back in 1976.

I was stoned every day for the next five years. Luckily, I was scared of the serious drugs so things didn’t get completely out of control. I got work as a backing singer and had great friends. I loved being with them, talking about ideas and about life, although looking back I’m horrified at the waste of time.

On New Year’s Eve 1981 a friend said “you could never give up drugs”. Out of sheer bloodymindedness I told her that on the stroke of midnight I was going to give up everything. And I did.

I got a job in the Crown Prosecution Service and worked continuously until I was 45. I adopted a little girl and then a boy. I gave up full time work to look after my son when he was ill and was so bored that I started to write. I wrote two novels that were utter shite.

I wasn’t one of those people who could just sit down and write: I needed help. I had to learn the craft. So, I did a creative writing MA. I’d finally found what I wanted to do with my life. Before that, I could never understand people who took their work more seriously than I did. I’d leave the office at 5pm on the dot and never looked for promotion. But once I started writing all of a sudden I knew what it was to be ambitious.

My naked ambition was a bit ugly. As it bit me at 52 it was a savage bite. Classmates vowed they just wanted to write a beautiful book but I was determined to have a book in Waterstones.

If I could change one thing in our society I’d provide free university education for everyone who wants it. I’d also change how we view vocational courses. Anything other than a university degree is looked down upon yet even a lawyer needs a plumber.

I’d been working on my novel My Name is Leon for a few years and sent it out after I finished university. It took four months to get an agent and four weeks to get a deal. We were offered £40,000 (€47,000) — beyond anything I’d dreamed of. I wanted to take it but my agent said no, I think we can do better. She was right. It went into the high six figures.

I don’t believe in an afterlife. I wish I did. I was brought up by a father from the West Indies and a devout Irish mother who became a Jehovah Witness. It was a very strict household. We didn’t celebrate birthdays or Christmas. I think my dad was glad he didn’t have to buy presents.

If I could be reborn for a day I’d be Donald Trump. To mess up his plans.

My biggest challenge has been being me. Being authentic. I recently got divorced after 22 years. It’s been tough to discover that there’s life afterwards.

I do my best creative work between 9pm and 4am when the world goes quiet and the shops are closed. I am a plotter. I will write nothing now until I know the story back to front. I learned to do that by writing rubbish.

My idea of misery is spending time with people I can’t stand. And, having to do the school run. My idea of bliss is being by the sea with my children.

I used to train people for a living so standing up in public and talking about my writing is not so different.

So far life has taught me that we are here for a good time, not a long time.

• The Cúirt International Festival of Literature takes place from April 23-30 in Galway City. Kit de Waal and John Boyne will read at the Town Hall Theatre on April 27 at 8:30pm. Tickets are on sale at www.tht.ie The full programme is at www.cuirt.ie