Author of Edie Tells a Lie, Ingrid Laguna shares the meaning and emotion behind her new novel and a glimpse into the life of a real and fascinating woman from Polish history. 

What do you love most about writing?

I love playing with words: adding them and taking them away to make a sentence sing. I love finding rhythm in writing and finding ways to convey complex and sometimes difficult experiences using sparse language choices. I love that I will always be a learner when it comes to writing; a wonderful challenge.

What inspired you to write Edie Tells a Lie?

I was inspired to explore the idea of what it means to know about our ancestors when my dad was finding out about his dad, who was a fighter pilot in the Battle of Britain. He was moved by what he learnt, and so was I. Edie Tells a Lie includes a character who is inspired by a real and fascinating Polish woman, Simona Kossak. When Edie finds out they are related, her sense of self is returned and she is proud of her Polish heritage.

Was there a central message that you wanted to share in this story? What would you most like readers to take away from Edie Tells a Lie?

Edie tells a lie to make herself feel seen; the lie takes on a life of its own: “It was like riding a bike downhill picking up speed without even trying. The story was telling itself.”

When Edie’s lie is revealed, she is devastated and feels even more worthless than before. I think young readers might relate to the feeling of wanting to fit in and be seen. I hope the story helps them to realise this is human and there is nothing wrong with them! I would also love kids to become interested in their cultural heritage.

Were any elements of this story based on your own experiences? Did that make it challenging in any way to write?

The most challenging aspects of writing this novel was the inclusion of the life of a real person and also some true Polish history from the Solidarity Movement. My editor had to remind me that this is Edie’s story and in relation to the research, she said "be careful not to let the tail wag the dog."

Your books have been praised for their relatable characters. How do you find the voices of your characters?

I guess I have to put myself in their shoes, walk around in their heads. I don’t think you can write about an experience, and how a character might truly react, without identifying with that character. We were all children once so I can tap into little Ingrid and relate to my characters!

Do you have any advice for aspiring authors?

It’s not enough to be talented or inspired. Perseverance and the willingness to keep turning up, even when the going gets tough, is the key to finishing a piece of writing. Also, seek and be open to feedback from someone you trust when you have finished a draft, and find a writing community.

Along with Adam Wallace, you do school workshops. Can you share any favourite experiences with these students?

I adore doing author visits in schools. I do some with Adam, interchanging improv games to practice and experience failure, with writing activities. I deliver writing workshops by myself and I find the experience deeply rewarding. One time, a young boy held up his writing book covered in words, and said, "This is the most writing I have ever done!" He was so proud of himself. It was wonderful.

Do you have any other projects in the works?

Yes. My next book, My Brother Otto, is scheduled for release with Text Publishing in February of 2026. I am working on final edits on that project.