How writing Up Lit made me even more of an optimist
And hello, paperback of The Vintage Shop!
First things first… Eek! It’s just one week until my latest novel The Vintage Shop is out in paperback! This book has been described by The Times as ‘hot-buttered-toast-and-tea feelgood fiction,’ and the lovely Veronica Henry as ‘a literary burst of sunshine’, so if you are after some uplifting summer reading (that might also make you shed a tear or two) and prefer paperbacks to hardbacks, then now’s your chance!
A big thank you to everyone who has read, reviewed or generally supported this book so far. It was a joy to write and features so many of my favourite things - friendship, vintage fashion, the colour yellow, my hometown of Frome - and it means a lot to see it connecting with readers. Thank you!
My novels are often called Up Lit, AKA Uplifting Literature (I wrote a blog for The Novelry about what this really means). This week someone asked me: ‘Do you think you need to be an optimist to write uplifting fiction?’.
It really got me thinking, and you know, I think the answer is yes. Or at least, I think my outlook on life and my approach to writing inform one another. I write Up Lit because I am an optimist but I also think that writing these types of books has made me even more optimistic. Here’s why, but first…
What does it actually mean to be an optimist?
There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding optimism. When I say that I’m an optimist I think some people expect that I leap out of bed every morning with a smile on my face. My husband will tell you that’s not the case. OK, sometimes I do wake up feeling naturally happy but sometimes I very much do not. Just like all of us.
Optimism isn’t about never feeling the bad feelings. It just means that when I do feel low, I try and tell myself that it’s just a phase. That brighter times will be on their way. I try to feel hopeful. And to do things that I know are proven to make me feel better (like exercising, chatting to friends, making myself a nice cup of tea in my favourite mug). It’s not always easy. But I try. Really, really hard.
Because that’s another misconception to do with optimism. Yes, I probably do have a naturally more sunny disposition. I was a smiley, cheerful child. But it’s not always something that comes naturally. It’s a choice I make. Every single day. Because I think a life lived looking on the bright side, trying to see the good in people, trying - even when it feels impossible - to find hope, is a happier life.
Sometimes it’s really hard work being an optimist. If you have to choose between expecting the worst and expecting the best, it can feel easier to give in to that negative voice. Trying to look for the positive and pull yourself out from pessimistic thoughts takes practice. There are plenty of studies about how it is possible to train yourself to become an optimist, even if it doesn’t come naturally.
One of the best examples in my life of optimism vs pessimism came about in a lift when I was heading up to the office of an old job. I encountered a colleague and asked them how they were doing. They told me what a nightmare their morning had been, how they’d forgotten to set an alarm and overslept, missed their train…
But as they told me all the things that had gone wrong I couldn’t help but think that the morning they were describing was actually pretty great. They forgot to set an alarm and yet still naturally woke up around the right time and despite missing their train they still managed to make it to work on time! How amazing! They were focusing on all the things that had gone wrong but I saw all the ways the morning had gone right too. And at that moment I thought, huh, I guess this person is a pessimist, not an optimist.
How writing uplifting books has made me even more optimistic
As an author, you’re constantly on the lookout for stories. You have to be. And the more you write, the more you hone your skills of seeing potential stories all around you. I think of it like a radar. And because my books are on the whole uplifting, I’m constantly seeking good vibrations. Writing books with heartwarming moments and flawed but loveable characters makes me notice those more in my own life.
There have been so many times where I’ve spotted something when out and about and thought, ‘That would be great in a story’. A particularly heartfelt embrace between friends, an unlikely group of mismatched characters having an absolute blast together, a dog and its owner looking at one another with similar adoration. Would I have noticed those moments before? Maybe. But maybe not. Being a writer makes you open your eyes wider and tilt your ears closer towards interesting conversations.
That’s not to say I have become blinded to sadness. In my books, I’ve dealt with anxiety, depression, loneliness, grief and family estrangement, among other things. And like everyone, I’ve had my own fair share of rocks thrown my way in my personal life.
Optimism isn’t about burying your head in the sand. It’s about looking up, but also around. Seeing the tough things but also tilting your head slightly to notice the goodness that might be happening just nearby. Because personally, I think that’s the way to deal with the darkness that life can bring. To not shy away from it, but, when we can, seek out the light too. That’s what optimism means to me.
I choose to write optimistic books not because I think life is always easy, but because I know how desperately hard it can be. But I also believe in the goodness and kindness of people and the ability for small positive things - a tight hug, the sun warm on your face, a pair of bright yellow boots or a sunshine yellow dress - to lift the spirits. And maybe, even, an uplifting book about, say, a lido or a vintage shop might do the same.
And if you need a little optimism boost…
My first novel, The Lido, is currently on sale on Kindle for 99p. A book about unlikely friendships, community and swimming.
‘…but what if it all goes right’ is the message on this lovely print that hangs in my office, because sometimes we all need reminding to try to imagine the best, not the worst.
I recently discovered Hey Booklover, the most uplifting, cheerful site for bookish gifts for yourself or another booklover in your life. Very happy making.
I am a big Emily Henry fan but realised I had somehow missed out on reading one of her books, You and Me on Vacation. I finished it this week and utterly adored it. One of those books that really makes your heart soar.
Oh, and did I mention that The Vintage Shop is out in paperback next week?!
And there we have it: the results of gorgeous writing IN ACTION!!! Such an uplifting post - reading it has put such a smile on my face, and thank you so much for that, Libby! 🙌😁⭐️
Love that poster Libby. I think I'll get that to have in my office as inspiration. Also, I have your book ready for my hols this summer and can't wait to read it. Good luck with the paperback launch and a big hands up from me on optimism. So much can come down to how we choose you perceive something. :-)