Paul Lynch, the Irish author of the Booker Prize-winning novel ‘Prophet Song,’ spoke at the 44th Sharjah International Book Fair 2025 about his writing process and the role of storytelling in the digital age. He described his writing as a deeply intuitive process and emphasised the importance of capturing human feeling in storytelling, which he believes artificial intelligence cannot replicate.

Writing Process and Intuition

Lynch highlighted that his creative process begins in mystery and intuition, quoting filmmaker Ingmar Bergman: “Intuition is the spear you throw into the dark. Intellect is the army you send to fetch it back.” He writes in the present tense to immerse the reader in the moment of unfolding life and its uncertainties, aiming to create radical empathy with his characters through the texture and heartbeat of life in his narrative.

The Booker Prize Paradox

Winning the Booker Prize brought global attention but also distractions. Lynch called it a “Faustian pact” because the prize pulled him away from the creative solitude necessary for his writing. He spoke of the challenge of balancing the noise of public recognition with the need to return to silence and focus on his craft.

Storytelling and Artificial Intelligence

In addressing artificial intelligence, Lynch expressed caution. While AI might soon write competent genre fiction, it lacks the capacity to feel or capture the “ineffable voice, the ache that comes from being human,” which is central to authentic storytelling. He believes art and genuine human creativity will ensure the survival of meaningful literature despite technological advances.

Global Reach of Prophet Song

Lynch’s Booker Prize-winning novel “Prophet Song,” which explores themes of authoritarianism and personal terror in a dystopian Ireland, has been widely translated into 41 languages. His work continues to resonate globally as a reflection on fear, freedom, and human resilience.