Writer’s dark comedy set in 90s Scottish new town
A Denny writer has drawn on his experience of growing up in Cumbernauld in the ‘90s for his first novel aimed at adults.
Kirkland Ciccone’s ‘Happiness Is Wasted On Me’ spans a decade in the life of loner Walter Wedgeworth.
Up till now the 38-year-old has written four YA (Young Adult) novels which include ‘Conjuring The Infinite’ and ‘Glowglass.’
Kirkland said of his recent book: “I wanted to write a story about a strange kid who becomes a strange adult in a strange town.
“Normally I’d never look back. I hate nostalgia. But for the first time ever I looked back and found myself thinking about the 90s.
“It was a time everything was going to change for the better, but it didn’t quite happen.
“I’m fascinated by it. Culturally,, 90s Cumbernauld is the perfect setting for this story.
“It took me a few months to write the first draft and another month to rewrite it.
“It was quite a fast book to write. I just knew the plot. It felt effortless.”
In ‘Happiness Is Wasted On Me’ the main character comes to grips with his uniquely dysfunctional family and a horrifying discovery contained in a cardboard box.
Kirkland describes the book, which took a matter of months to write, as a family drama, dark comedy and a look back at the decade tha brought New Labour, the Spice Girls and Britpop, adding: “Ultimately it’s a story about how even the weirdest people can find their way in the world.”
With the help of Cumbernauld Theatre, Kirkland also set up Yay YA, a book festival to encourage teenagers to get off their phones and read books.
Other live shows have included A Secret History of Cumbernauld, Kirkland Ciccone Plays Pop, and The Dead Don’t Sue. Kirkland attended Cumbernauld High School and works in libraries in North Lanarkshire.
He is currently working on another book for adults. He said: “I’ve literally just started it. I can’t really tell you much more until I figure it out.”
‘Happiness is Wasted on Me’ is published by FledglingPress.co.uk
More information at www. KirklandCiccone.co.uk