Christina Sweeney-Baird, as well as having a successful career in the law, is the author of a remarkable debut novel. It’s called The End of Men. Christina is only twenty eight years old, which is inspiring by anyone’s standards. Her novel was published this year (2021) but written before the Covid pandemic struck. The timing is uncanny because the subject of the book is what happens to the world when a virulent virus arrives from an undetectable source, spreads rapidly, is a killer, and has no immediate antidote.
The twist, as you’ll have no doubt deduced from the title, is that it only affects men.
Imagine that for a moment. Imagine if what we have all lived with during 20/21 was only affecting men. It’s a bit similar to a question I ask on my SpeakUp course: Can you imagine what the world would look if it had been designed entirely by women to suit the needs of women? (Now, of course, I’m simply going to recommend that they read this book).
Christina Sweeney-Baird in Interview
Jane: Christina, you have a law degree, not a creative arts background. Do you think this hindered or helped you in a) writing the book and b) getting it published?
Christina: For me it was definitely helpful. I’ve heard of so many people falling out of love with reading during an English degree, because you have to read certain things and read in a very analytical way. Writing is very different from editing and very different from literary analysis. I say to people that if they want to write, studying English at university isn’t necessarily going to help in terms of publishing.
I didn’t know anyone in the industry but I think this is a lot more common than people think. Googling helped me find agents and I did lots of research about the agent query process, and then was picked up from the slush pile.
Corporate Law and Writing
You have chosen corporate law and now work in the City of London. I’ve read that, contrary to expectations, being employed gave you space to write. Why do think this is this? Did the regularity of hours help? Or perhaps only having a small window in which to write meant you stopped prevaricating and got on with it?
I think it’s partly practical – I don’t have to worry about making enough money to pay my mortgage and my bills. Having a steady, salaried job means that financially I’m secure. My job also uses a different part of my brain than writing does, so it feels really nice to switch into a different gear in the evenings and weekends using a different part of my brain.
Having said that, my job as a lawyer involves a lot of problem solving and I do find – paradoxically – that when I’m busy at work, using my brain a lot, my writing is more productive.
What was your path into law? Did you hold that ambition from childhood? Was writing a part of your thinking?
My parents are both lawyers so I was very aware of it as a career path but they were never pushy. They were clear that if you enjoy it, it’s a wonderful job, but if you don’t, it’s horrible. I liked the sound of a law degree as it helps you understand how the world works and I loved studying law.
Writing was always something I worked on and had in the back of my mind, but I knew it would take years to make any money from it (if I ever even managed to get published) so it was never going to be my Plan A.
Does Having a Dual Career Help or Hinder Writing?
At the risk of upsetting your employers, (!) would you like to be writing full time or does having a dual career suit you?
The dual career works for me. When a draft is tough or not going well, it can feel very overwhelming. The idea of a week or month when writing is difficult meaning I might not be able to keep a roof over my head, with that amount of pressure on my imagination, doesn’t appeal right now!
How have your employers reacted to having such a successful author in their midst? Do you think it’s enhanced or hindered your law career?
They’re been really wonderful and very supportive. Lots of people at work have told me they’ve bought and read the book. It’s been really exciting.
Given how the world of work is changing do you think that dual careers are going to become much more common? What have you found helpful in managing the two?
I don’t think it’ll necessarily be common to combine law with something else as it does take up a lot of time! But I think that the internet and working from home will make it easier for people to pursue creative interests outside of work.
For example, a friend has always loved painting but has done more of it during lockdown and now set up an Etsy shop, which she didn’t have the time or bandwidth to do when we were in the office all the time.
Role Models or Favourite Authors?
Do you have a mentor or role model? Or an author who has particularly influenced your style?
I really admire Marian Keyes and Julia Quinn’s productivity and consistency. And I love Julia Quinn books more than any others – they’re funny and warm and delightful. I’m a huge fan of Ann Patchett, who talks about how she was a journalist for twenty years to pay her bills even as she was writing such wonderful novels.
Similarly Roxane Gay has been an author and a professor for a long time and I admire her writing, her thoughtful cultural criticism and her support of her students hugely.
Of all the outcomes described in your book, which one would you most like to see realised post Covid?
I obviously don’t want the novel’s plot to actually come true, as I think a world without men would be a very challenging and tragic one! But I think that an increase in funding medical research focussed on women’s health issues (which are historically under-recognised and underfunded) and making cars and other day-to-day experiences safer for women would be a good starting point.
Another Book From Christina Sweeney-Baird?
I loved the book and recommend it highly. At times it had me gasping me out loud and it’s such a page turner. Is there another book in the making and if so, when can we expect to see it?
I’m hard at work on my next novel and hopefully it will be out in 2022.
Well, if it’s anything like the End of Men we’re in for a treat. The film rights to the book have already been snapped up so we’ll keep a look out for that, too. All those peachy roles for female actors, just imagine.
Christina has written some very useful advice for all of you would-be writers which you can find here , on her publisher’s (CurtisBrown) website. It’s well worth reading.
Can You Help Me?
I wonder if any of you can help me in my own writing endeavours? No, I’m not writing a novel (I wish) but I am writing a new course which may well turn into a book. It’s about being an older woman and challenging the stereotypes. This post will give you a more accurate idea of where I’m going: Women – How To Love Your Age and Stay Forever Young (it’s nothing to do with face creams or exercise so relax…).
If you’ve made a significant life change once you passed fifty (ish) I’d really love to hear your story for possible inclusion in the course materials/book. Please get in touch and do share this with anyone you know who has a story to tell, too. Thank you.
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Posted on August 3rd, 2021 by Jane
