Louise Kennedy, the chef-turned award-winning author of Trespasses, said she is unfazed by the so-called "second book syndrome" that can trouble writers after a successful debut.
On "second book syndrome" she told reporters that the idea of being daunted by a follow-up had not troubled her creative process. The phenomenon, familiar to many in literary circles, describes the anxiety authors can feel about living up to early acclaim; Kennedy said she did not see it as an obstacle.
From kitchen to pages, Kennedy's shift from a culinary career into fiction has received attention, and her success with Trespasses has marked her out among contemporary writers. While she acknowledged the expectations that can accompany recognition, she characterised her approach as practical and unsentimental.
Speaking more widely about trying new things, Kennedy encouraged others to be bold about pursuits outside their comfort zone. "Everyone should give anything they fancy a lash," she said, urging a pragmatic, try-it attitude rather than being paralysed by fear of failure.
Her comments underline a broader message about creativity and career change: that moving between professions and embracing new forms of work can be worthwhile even when public expectations are high. Kennedy's stance suggests confidence in focusing on the craft rather than the pressure of external benchmarks.