We chat with author Laura Kay about Making It, which is a heartwarming and relatable queer rom-com about an isolated young woman whose artistic celebration of her pet chinchilla suddenly launches her into the professional art world, reality TV fame, and first love.
Hi, Laura! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m Laura, I’m an author and journalist. I live in London with my partner and our sons – the cat and dog. I’ve written three queer rom coms and Making It is my fourth.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I have always loved writing, from (terrible) poems to essays and short stories. I think I learned to love writing and storytelling from reading and being read to. My mum read to me every single night as a child and I rarely lifted my head out of a book. Going to the library was a Saturday morning ritual and choosing books was the highlight of my week – I was, and still am, deeply cool!
I began to think of stories that I wished I was reading, that I then discovered I could write myself.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: The Beatrix Potter books. I remember because they look cute but actually, I spent a lot of time worrying about those animals.
- The one that made you want to become an author: Everything by Jacqueline Wilson. I wrote her a letter when I was nine years old telling her I wanted to be an author. She wrote back wishing me luck!
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: I feel like this question invites a serious answer but actually, the book I think about often is Angus, Thongs and Full Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison because it’s the funniest book I’ve ever read and all I want to do is write something even half as good.
Your latest novel, Making It, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Funny, hopeful, romantic, buy, now
What can readers expect?
It’s a novel about living with depression and anxiety while also trying to have a great time, pursue your crushes and your dream career. It’s about bursting out of a very sheltered life into a wide open, vibrant one and how change, as positive as it might be can be terrifying. It’s also about friendship and love, and all the different things that can be. Readers should expect to laugh, cry and ultimately have the time of their lives.
Where did the inspiration for Making It come from?
I knew I wanted to write about a late bloomer but honestly, when I was writing it, I was very depressed myself and going through a big break up and it was pure catharsis to lean into it a bit and laugh at some of the worst bits of what was happening. These characters live really hopeful lives and it made me more hopeful too.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I adore Issy, the protagonist. A little fish in a big pond who is shy with a wonderful sense of humour. She opens up on the page with every chapter.
With this your fourth published novel, what are some of the key lessons you’ve learned as a writer since your debut?
There have been so many but a big one is – the first draft is always rubbish. Always. So don’t waste time striving to perfect the first few chapters, just get it all down on the page and deal with editing later when there’s actually something to edit. Also, that booksellers are your best friends. There is no one else in this industry doing more for authors than booksellers.
What’s next for you?
I am writing right now! I have a few things going on which are very exciting and in classic author fashion, I am not allowed to talk about any of them.
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed so far this year and are there any that you can’t wait to get your hands on?
I have loved The Pairing by Casey McQuiston and Experienced by Kate Young. All I want to read at the moment are gorgeous, fun queer rom coms so I am just waiting for all of those to land in my inbox (please, editors. thank you)
