Rebecca Perry on Lorca, O'Hara, and the Books That Shaped 2026

Rebecca Perry, a celebrated poet, shares how Lorca and other literary giants shaped her creative voice. In this exclusive interview, she reveals the books that changed her life and offers insights for aspiring writers.

Early Reading Memories and Fairytale Influences

Perry's earliest reading memory is of Spike Milligan's On the Ning Nang Nong, which she encountered at age five. She recalls sitting on the floor of her shared bedroom, captivated by the playful nonsense verse. This early exposure to rhythm and wordplay laid the foundation for her future poetic sensibilities.

From ages seven to ten, she was utterly entranced by a collection of fairytales in a big yellow hardback. The tragic ending of The Little Mermaid taught her the helplessness of a reader against a story's destiny. More importantly, she loved a Scottish fairytale called The Black Bull of Norroway, which she believes has subtly influenced everything she has ever written.

The Teenage Revelation: Federico García Lorca

As a teenager, Perry studied Lorca's Collected Plays for GCSE drama, which led her to his poetry. She describes the experience as impossible to separate from her adolescent relationship to reading. Lines from City That Does Not Sleep hit her like a bolt of lightning, particularly the image of the alligator quiet beneath the stars. This moment transformed her understanding of language and its emotional power.

Changing Minds with Frank O'Hara

Perry admits that discovering Frank O'Hara was a predictable yet profound turning point. Before O'Hara, she viewed poetry as deeply serious and almost untouchable. O'Hara's conversational, life-affirming style was a revelation, making poetry feel accessible and alive. She credits him with shifting her perspective on what poetry could be.

The Decision to Write

Perry clarifies that no single book made her want to be a writer; she has written for as long as she can remember. However, as an adult, she realized that ordinary people can write books if they choose to. This realization, combined with her lifelong love of reading, led her to pursue writing seriously. Her journey encourages aspiring authors to trust their instincts and embrace their unique influences.

Key Takeaways for Aspiring Writers

• Embrace diverse influences, from fairytales to modern poetry.
• Allow emotional responses to literature to guide your creative development.
• Understand that writing is a craft that can be learned and practiced.
• Find inspiration in unexpected places, like nonsense verse or a single line of poetry.
• Believe that you can become a writer if you are willing to try.

Literary Influences Comparison Table

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