Lily King Discusses Her Latest Novel and the Joy of Writing

Straub began by expressing her admiration for *Heart the Lover*, likening it to King’s previous novel, *Writers & Lovers*, describing it as akin to an ‘Irish twin.’ She noted that some authors return to familiar themes, referencing writers like Kevin Wilson and George Saunders, and asked King about her attraction to intelligent characters.

King agreed with Straub’s metaphor, stating that she inadvertently created *Heart the Lover* as a response to her prior work. After finishing *Writers & Lovers* and amid the COVID pandemic, she initially attempted to write a political murder mystery but soon lost interest. After reading a manuscript from her friend Ann Patchett, she felt inspired to write a new scene set in a college classroom, which marked the beginning of *Heart the Lover*. She noted that she did not initially realize the connection between the two novels until later in the writing process.

Straub inquired about the development of the novel once King established her smart characters. King explained her approach of allowing the story to unfold naturally, stating that she collects ideas in her notebooks as she writes. She emphasized her focus on the emotional arc of the characters rather than a strict plot structure. Although she started with the intention of exploring thirty years after the characters' college experience, the writing process took unexpected turns, ultimately leading her to exceed her original expectations for the book.

The conversation then shifted to the emotional impact of the novel. Straub shared that the ending elicited a strong emotional response, resulting in tears. King reflected on this surprise, explaining that she didn’t set out to create a tearjerker but was more concerned with how to conclude the story. Her writing process involves sequencing notes and understanding the characters' relationships, though she does not typically plan every detail in advance.

Straub asked how King's perspective on readers changes during the editing process. King revealed that she thinks of her close friend Lisa and her editor, Elisabeth Schmitz, during this stage and seeks their input to refine the novel’s themes. She clarified that while she strives to not set expectations on how her work will be received, she is committed to exploring complex themes such as love and memory.

Addressing the classification of *Heart the Lover* as a campus novel, Straub expressed her feelings that the book encompasses much more than that designation. King agreed, indicating her struggles with categorizing the novel and the inherent fluidity of the writing process.

In closing, King humorously shared her metaphor of writing a novel as entering a house only to find herself lost in the basement during the drafting phase. She discussed the gradual process of refining the draft, and the joy she felt during the final lockdown of the manuscript before submission. The editing process can be daunting but King described her recent experience as exhilarating, stating she had never enjoyed writing more than she did during this project.