18.2 Kamila Shamsie, Writer

Can you easily switch between private and public modes? Viv Groskop talks to the award-winning writer, Kamila Shamsie, about the different kinds of energy she needs in her life as a successful author. She tells Viv about the peace and solitude required for writing fiction and how audiences' curiosity fuels her public persona. Kamila shares with Viv her thoughts on the long history of patriarchy and the way it cuts across every facet of life. She reveals her thoughts on the power of her platform as a writer and how it compares with the reach of social media trolls. Kamila refuses to disengage and shares with Viv how she constantly challenges herself to ask – what needs to be done? Find out more about Kamila Shamsie's new novel: Best of Friends A new updated edition of Viv's book, How to Own the Room is out now. @vivgroskop