All grown up
This year sees many authors of young adult fiction publish their first adult novels. Leading the way is Louise O’neill, who tells Anna Bonet that she couldn’t not write her latest story
YOUR NEW BOOK, ALMOST LOVE, EXPLORES OBSESSIVE LOVE AND COMPLEX RELATIONSHIPS. WHY?
My ex-therapist said the most common addiction she witnesses is love addiction. I thought that was fascinating, so I decided to delve into relationships.
SARAH, THE PROTAGONIST, IS DEEPLY FLAWED. DID YOU RESIST WRITING THE PERFECT HEROINE?
Yes, because I think there’s a gendered expectation that women are going to be nice and likeable. A character like Sarah is much more interesting to write! I think the book is about Sarah learning to survive her own damage.
YOUR PREVIOUS BOOKS HAVE BEEN AIMED AT YOUNG ADULTS. HOW DID YOU FIND THE SHIFT?
I wasn’t writing them as ‘young adult’, that’s just what they were classified as. I’m less interested in genres and age categories, and more interested in telling an authentic story. When it came to writing Almost Love, I didn’t find it much different to my previous novels; my voice is still my voice.
AFTER THE SUCCESS OF YOUR FIRST BOOKS, DID YOU FEEL PRESSURE WHEN WRITING
ALMOST LOVE? Yes, I felt paralysed before I started writing it because I was so concerned about how it would be received. But I had to try to create stillness in which I could focus on the book. Not everyone will understand or like what you’re doing, and, as an author, I have to trust my instincts. This is a story I had to write, so I wrote it.
WHAT’S YOUR WRITING ROUTINE?
I get up 5.30am and I’m at my desk by 6, writing before I’ve checked my emails, Twitter or Facebook. I write 1,000 words a day. Sometimes that will come quickly and other days I’m there for hours, but I don’t get up from my seat until I’ve done it!
WHICH AUTHORS INSPIRE YOU?
Jeanette Winterson and Margaret Atwood have been huge influences. Marian Keyes is a friend and I’ve always loved her work. I came up through a traditional education system where a lot of the time the emphasis is on white male authors, so I’m trying to read more by women and BAME (black and minority ethnic) authors.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD?
I have so many things I want to do! I’d love to write a play or for screen. My first book, Only Ever Yours, is being adapted into a film and I also want to write a memoir, but my family get quite nervous when I say that… Almost Love by Louise O’neill (Riverrun, £13.99; out 1st March)