Renowned author Emily Henry has recently divulged the sources of her inspiration in the realm of romance, offering an exclusive insight into her creative process. The bestselling author opened up about her literary influences, movies, and overall musings that play a crucial role in shaping her captivating novels.
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Emily Henry’s journey into the world of writing began with creating fan-fiction even before comprehending the concept itself, albeit not within the romance genre. Growing up immersed in books like K.A. Applegate’s Animorphs series, she delved into crafting her own narratives while eagerly awaiting the next instalment. Reflecting on those early days, Emily shares, “I wasn’t on the internet. At that time, I didn’t even know that there was a name for that.”
Despite being an avid reader from a young age, it was a fourth-grade autobiography project that sparked the realisation in Emily that writing was not just a profession but a deep-seated passion and hobby. Recalling this pivotal moment, she acknowledges, “It’s my job, but it’s also my passion. It’s also my hobby. It’s arguably my only real interest.”
Transitioning from writing young-adult novels to adult romance, Emily describes the act of writing as her “drug of choice,” a compulsive need that sets writers apart from those not drawn to artistic pursuits. The thrill of ideation and creation is what propels her, forming an essential part of her existence. She states, “[It’s] that free-fall feeling of when you just are brainstorming faster than your hand can write … and then you spend the rest of your life chasing that feeling.”
Although romance wasn’t a genre she initially explored extensively, Emily’s foray into crafting contemporary romance novels has firmly established her as a prominent figure in the literary world. The inception of her novel “Beach Read” without much prior exposure to the romance genre underscores her innate storytelling abilities. Creatively driven to pen stories she craved to read, Emily’s narrative gravitated naturally towards the realm of romance.
Immersed in a world of romantic comedies on the silver screen during her formative years, Emily draws on these cinematic influences to infuse her novels with a visual and emotive texture akin to films. Despite a delayed inclination towards reading romance novels, her deep-rooted love for romantic comedies undoubtedly seeps into her writing style, lending it a cinematic quality that resonates with readers.
As she delved deeper into the world of romance literature through authors like Jasmine Guillory and Helen Hoang, Emily’s passion for the genre burgeoned. This newfound appreciation for romance novels fuelled her desire to delve further into this realm, leading her to explore her own narrative within the genre. The evolution of her writing style and narrative voice is a testament to her unwavering commitment to storytelling.
With her latest novel “Great Big Beautiful Life” on the horizon, Emily Henry continues to captivate readers with her poignant narratives and intricate character dynamics. As she navigates the intricacies of writing and storytelling, Emily remains dedicated to crafting stories that not only resonate with her readers but also offer a glimpse into her creative psyche. Her journey as a novelist is a testament to the transformative power of storytelling and the enduring legacy of literary imagination.