Nicola Dinan didn’t always plan on being a writer. She initially studied Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, then attempted a humanities degree, then eventually decided to do a law conversion. She landed a job at a law firm but soon realised she hated the work, and set about writing fragments of what would become her debut novel, Bellies, in between work calls. 

She finished the novel, quit her job, and the rest is history. Bellies was published in June this year, to widespread critical acclaim. The book, which was also shortlisted for the Mo Siewcharran prize, centres around Tom and Ming – the former an awkward, newly-out student, the latter a charming, witty playwright. The two fall in love and embark on a tumultuous relationship, with both their lives changed completely when Ming comes out as a trans woman.

But Bellies is by no means a straightforward queer love story – it also captures the anxieties of life as a twenty-something in the 21st century, delves into issues of class and race, and highlights the importance of having compassion for people.

We chatted to Dinan to celebrate her much-deserved place on the Dazed 100.

How do you define what you do? 

Nicola Dinan: I’m a novelist. I write novels! 

What’s one ambition you have for 2024?

Nicola Dinan: I’m just finishing the final draft of my second book, Disappoint Me, and so in 2024 I want to finish the first draft of my third. 

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?

Nicola Dinan: Talk to yourself like you would a friend. Unless you hate your friends. 

What’s your star sign and are you a typical one of that star sign? (Or, if you’re a real astrohead, can you share your ‘big three’?)

Nicola Dinan: I’m a Pisces. I’ve been told I’m a typical one (I’m not sure what that means - sorry!). The only big three I care about is Live, Laugh, Love. 

What would the line-up be on your nightmare blunt rotation? And then your dream one?

Nicola Dinan: Nightmare: Suella Braverman, Matty Healy, and Gal Gadot.

Dream: Alison Hammond, Meredith Marks and Tokyo Toni. Well, yes!

What’s your weirdest internet obsession?

Nicola Dinan: Earwax removal videos – crocodile forceps forever. 

“I have poor work hygiene. I wrote most of Bellies from bed” – Nicola Dinan

What conspiracy theory are you quite into actually?

Nicola Dinan: When I was a teenager, I fully thought there’d be an alien invasion at the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics. I don’t fall into rabbit holes the same way anymore (thankful to frontal lobe development). 5G is killing us, though. Just kidding.

Who would you nominate for the next Dazed 100 and why?

Nicola Dinan: There are so many brilliant debut novelists right now – Cecile Pin and Alice Winn, for example. One of them!

What do you think makes ‘good’ writing?

Nicola Dinan: Honesty. Even if your novel’s set in outer space, it should still speak to some truth in the world.

Do you have any rituals which help you write?

Nicola Dinan: Not really. I have poor work hygiene. I wrote most of Bellies from bed. 

What’s the last thing you read and what did you make of it?

Nicola Dinan: Evenings and Weekends by Oisín McKenna – it’s out next year and I recommend you read it. 

Your novel Bellies is being adapted for TV – how is that going?

Nicola Dinan: We’re waiting for some things to fall into place before we can get going. TV has so many moving parts! It’s why I think I’ll always write novels – that sweet, sweet control. 

See the rest of this year’s Dazed 100 here