Writing across locations: Dieter Rogiers on research, writing formulas, and international settings

In this episode of The Writing Life Podcast, Belgian author Dieter Rogiers explores how place shapes his writing, discussing both the locations where he writes and the international settings of his novels.

Dieter Rogiers is a Belgian author, film critic and copywriter from Brussels. Selected in 2004 as one of ten promising young Flemish writers, Dieter has written several award-winning short stories and graphic novels, including De Wraak van de Walgvolgel (The Dodo’s Revenge), Tunguska and De parelvisser (The Pearl Fisher). His first novel, the Brussels-based Bot Mes (Dull Blade), received the Fred Braeckman Award for best Flemish thriller debut in 2023. His residency in Norwich City of Literature was part of our exchange with Passa Porta house of literature in Brussels.

Dieter sat down with Quaid Cey, a recent alumnus of our Emerging Translator Mentorships Programme, to discuss the role writing residencies have played in his career and how he researches the diverse settings of his fiction. Their conversation also covers the Kishōtenketsu narrative structure, how living in Brussels has influenced and shaped his writing, and the importance of stepping away from everyday life and dedicating time to your practice.