For those who cherished Heartstopper and want extra feel-good LGBTQ+ romance – If You Nonetheless Recognise Me is the one for you!
Elsie has a crush on Ada, the one individual on this planet who really understands her. Sadly, they’ve by no means met in actual life and Ada lives an ocean away. However Elsie has determined it’s now or by no means to inform Ada how she feels. That’s, till her long-lost greatest buddy Joan walks again into her life.
In a summer time of repairing damaged connections and constructing stunning new ones, Elsie realises that she isn’t almost as alone as she thought. However now she has a option to make…
That is the debut UKYA novel by Cynthia So, and they’re positively one to observe! Liked the keenness & ardour blended with uncertainty in protagonist, I knew the place the story was going nevertheless it was *so* satisfying. And So A lot +ve rep! I cherished the queer individuals of all ages, the delight of teenagers sharing a fandom, intergenerational relationships & intricacies of household life & how individuals present love…& realising what *isn’t* love…it’s a should learn this Satisfaction Month.
I used to be fortunate sufficient to get the possibility to ask Cynthia a number of questions:
If You Nonetheless Recognise Me is your debut novel however you had a brief story within the PROUD ebook, edited by Little Tiger, did you have already got the concept of IYSRM? They’re very completely different, do you have got extra concepts in your phoenix?
I had began to write down IYSRM by the point PROUD got here out in March 2019, however I don’t suppose I had the concept for it once I first drafted my quick story “The Phoenix’s Fault” again in March 2018. I didn’t actually have any concepts for a novel in any respect again then! I’ve all the time adored YA up to date, and I’ve additionally all the time cherished fantasy, however one thing about writing a fantasy ebook is a bit more formidable to me. I’ve bother writing issues longer than a brief story, so I wanted to push myself previous that self-doubt of “I’ll by no means write novel” by beginning with one thing that to me has a breezy, informal vibe, and IYSRM is what resulted. I used to be very self-indulgent whereas writing it. I simply needed to write down my dream summer time queer YA ebook, and to have as a lot enjoyable as doable whereas doing it.
I don’t have extra concepts for my phoenix. I feel we left her and her people in place. I may positively write extra queer tales in that universe although, primarily based round completely different creatures in Chinese language folklore and fable. The Legend of the White Snake for instance!
The background to the comedian, in order that the fandom would make sense, seems like you have got an entire story deliberate out! Have you ever written extra that wasn’t included?
There have been some little particulars that I included in earlier drafts that didn’t make it into the ultimate model, however in any other case there’s not lots in my head that isn’t on the web page. I feel this can be a good lesson for any writer, that you simply want simply sufficient element to recommend one thing greater – you don’t have to have it utterly fleshed out, which can be a waste of time in case you don’t have a number of time to dedicate to writing! Arising with a number of particular particulars goes a great distance in the direction of making one thing appear actual.
When you have been writing, did you share it with many individuals or wait till it was completed?
I didn’t share it with anybody whereas I used to be writing. I’m an intensely personal individual! Each writer’s completely different, however for me, to share one thing with somebody earlier than I end it might be to jinx it, someway. I really feel like I’ve to be alone with the story, to know that it’s, for a time, mine and solely mine, to study to find it irresistible correctly. The form of relationship I’ve with a narrative adjustments as soon as I begin to share it with others, as a result of I fear a lot about what others suppose. By not sharing it till it’s performed, I can hone in alone imaginative and prescient for the story and honour it to the most effective of my capability.
And it additionally offers me the drive and motivation to finish it, as a result of I do know that except I end it, I’ll by no means be capable of let anyone else learn it, and that will be an enormous disgrace after pouring months into attempting to write down it!
The comedian ebook store is fantastic, is it primarily based on one that you simply’ve been to or is it wishful considering?
It’s not primarily based on any specific comedian ebook store, however I do love the vibe of any indie bookshop, together with comedian ebook retailers. Gosh! Comics in Soho is such a beautiful, cosy little place, and I additionally all the time suppose fondly of havens like Homosexual’s the Phrase. Indie bookshops are really the most effective.
Have you ever had any response from teen readers but? What would you want them to remove from the ebook?
I don’t suppose I’ve had any response from teen readers but (that I do know of), however there’s a lot of issues I would really like them to remove from the ebook. Listed below are a number of of these issues:
1) I need queer teenagers who need romantic like to know that they are going to discover that romantic love, even when it takes time, and it could take time. I fear that teenagers may have a look at YA romances and really feel unhappy that they don’t have that romance of their lives proper now, and imagine that meaning there’s one thing insufficient about themselves. Although my ebook is a YA romance, it additionally has a lot of tales in it about queer individuals who discover love a lot afterward in life, and it’s no much less fantastic or stunning. At some point, you can be cherished for who you might be, by somebody who sees you. And also you deserve that sort of love. Actual love shouldn’t require you to make your self smaller for it.
2) Popping out doesn’t should be the tip objective. I feel once I was a young person I felt a lot angst about not feeling courageous sufficient to come back out to individuals aside from a number of of my pals. However not popping out to your loved ones doesn’t imply you’re not courageous sufficient. It doesn’t imply you’re ashamed. You may be happy with who you might be, with out popping out to a lot of individuals.
3) It’s OK to vary. It’s OK to not know precisely who you wish to be but. You have got time to determine it out.
What are you studying in the intervening time and who would you suggest it to?
Simply completed Homosexual Membership! by Simon James Inexperienced – it’s humorous and intensely readable like Simon’s books all the time are, and the characters are a delight, and there’s such a robust message on the centre of it. I might suggest to all teenagers who’re a part of LGBTQ+ golf equipment at college, or these want to begin one. It’s additionally so unimaginable to me to consider the truth that some teenagers get to be a part of LGBTQ+ golf equipment at college now, so in case you’re an grownup and you would like you had that sort of assist and group as a teen this ebook can be completely for you.
I additionally completed I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston not way back, and oh my god. That is the queer ebook of my desires. It’s all of my fave YA books I learn once I was rising up, however QUEER, lastly, queer! It’s such a dreamy, exhilarating romance set in opposition to the backdrop of a Christian highschool between two educational rivals who’re totally obsessive about one another, and the scavenger hunt factor is so enjoyable. It’s a fantastically escapist summer time learn. I might suggest this to everybody who likes John Inexperienced, and likewise anybody rising up in a small city and/or with a faith that makes them really feel sophisticated about their queerness. This ebook is basically uplifting in that regard and filled with shining defiance and hope.
What are you engaged on in the intervening time?
My second YA up to date novel with Little Tiger. It’s going to be one other queer romance, and it’ll contain a lot of meals, and plenty of household, and plenty of craving, as a result of these are a few of my favorite issues to write down about. Aside from that, I don’t wish to say an excessive amount of – you’ll have to attend and see! 🙂
Thanks a lot Cynthia for answering my questions, and writing such a fantastic ebook, and due to Little Tiger for a assessment copy and facilitating the q&a!
If You Nonetheless Recognise Me publishes on the ninth June 2022
