We chat with author Julia Drake about Lovesick Falls, which is a queer take on As You Like It featuring first loves, friend breakups and madcap mix-ups.
Hi, Julia! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hello! I’m the author of The Last True Poets of the Sea and more recently Lovesick Falls. I live in Philadelphia with my partner, our rescue rabbit Ned, and our massive rescue dog Sal.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I’ve loved reading and writing stories for as long as I can remember – I remember writing stories as early as first grade. I’ve sort of always wanted to be an author, though I didn’t take my writing seriously until college.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White or Eloise by Kay Thompson
- The one that made you want to become an author: Absolutley Normal Chaos by Sharon Creech
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Holes by Louis Sachar
Your latest novel, Lovesick Falls, is out now If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Queer summer theatre festival fun.
What can readers expect?
Messy characters who love deeply and make big mistakes, and strong senses of both place and humor.
Where did the inspiration for Lovesick Falls come from?
My first book dealt with a lot of heavy subject matter, so I was desperate to write something a bit more lighthearted and fun. At the same time I was side-eyeing Shakespeare plays, wondering if any of them might make a good adaptation – and I fell on As You Like It. In particular, I focused on the relationship between Rosalind and Celia, and started exploring it through a more modern lens.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
She’s only in a handful of scenes, but I had a lot of fun writing Celia’s mom – Celia finds her to be a little woo-woo but I had the best time writing her scenes and imagining her voice. I loved writing Phoebe, too – she’s such a good friend, and I was always so happy to spend some time with her.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
I had a lot of trouble getting Ros’s point of view right. Their sections didn’t seem to click for me until the eleventh hour, when my editor reminded me that Ros is a poet, and perhaps we might see more of that poetic voice creep into their narration.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on a couple of different things, but I can’t say too much, in part because I’m a little secretive, and in part because I don’t know enough about them yet!
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
I loved Jandy Nelson’s When the World Tips Over and Annie Hartnett’s The Road to Tender Hearts. I want to read Flashlight by Susan Choi, and though this isn’t exactly a new release, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson.
