Meet the YA Author Whose Book Will Give You All the Feels
Now that we’re in the throes of the winter hobbit lifestyle — warm mugs of coffee, cozy pajama pants and all — spending a whole day curled up, reading a book sounds like a dream. And if there’s some swoony romance in that book? Even better. Enter Louise Gornall’s Under Rose-Tainted Skies, a beautiful and honest story about a snarky girl who falls for her cutie next door neighbor. The only catch? Her agoraphobia and number of other mental illnesses make friendship and falling in love a true Olympic feat. Woof — and we thought texting was hard!
This week, we’re chatting with author Louise Gornall about her creative process, her lady heroes and more. Scroll on to meet the brilliant author behind this captivating new novel.
Brit +Co: Describe your book in six words or less.
Louise Gornall: A journey, with heart and hope.
B+C: Where/when do you do your best writing?
LG: I like to get all comfy in my bed and write on my phone. It’s a little unconventional, but I think so much better when it’s all quiet and dark.
B+C: What’s your go-to cure for when you’re stuck in a creativity rut?
LG: I don’t force it. If I try to make it happen, I usually make it worse. So I guess my go-to is walking away, doing anything and everything else, until inspiration strikes.
B+C: What two lady heroes do you turn to for inspiration, and why?
LG: One of those would have to be my twin sister, Rach. Rach has always been my hero and a huge source of inspiration. She’s strong, and she doesn’t let things stop her. She’s been sick a lot in her life, fought off many many demons, but she still has this solid “get up and go” attitude, which is infectious.
The second would be Princess Leia and her real-life counterpart, Carrie Fisher. Both RE exceptional examples of women who fought for what they believed in, and never let the odds or naysayers deter them. (Photo via Getty/Dimitrios Kambouris)
B+C: What’s your latest social media obsession?
"Honestly, it's fine" – Translation: I'm so cross that I'm on the verge of becoming livid
— VeryBritishProblems (@SoVeryBritish) January 2, 2017
LG: My Instagram usually revolves around makeup, hair dyeing and nail painting tutorials. My Twitter is usually about books and fluffy, baby animals, but I do love this one account on Twitter called Very British Problems. It’s so accurate. It makes me laugh.
B+C: What’s a book that you think deserves a little more love and recognition?
LG: The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Hargrave. Kiran’s prose is just beautiful. I would read anything she writes. Her next book, which isn’t out yet but I got to have a sneaky peek of, is unlike anything I’ve ever read before.
B+C: What’s next on your to-read pile?
LG: I’m currently reading One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus. I was lucky enough to snag an advanced reader copy from the author herself.
B+C: What advice do you have for aspiring creative ladies?
LG: Surround yourself with people who know how hard it is to break into the creative industries. Making a name for yourself in a creative field can be soul destroying, especially when a lot of creativity is born from personal experience and your ideas are being constantly rejected.
I can’t leave my house, but I connected with fellow writers on Twitter, and they know what it feels like to sit in slush piles, to have that manuscript you spent months/years creating, shot down by everyone who reads it. You need people who are going through the same thing for moral support.
Got an author you’d love to see interviewed? Tweet us @BritandCo and let us know!
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(Photos via Louise Gornall and Getty)
