“Nothing forces you to face your demons like falling in love,” says Emily Henry, a prolific romance novelist who has penned a bestseller every year since 2020. With her latest offering, “Funny Story,” hitting the shelves this Tuesday, Henry opens up about her journey, her thoughts on the romance genre, and how her personal mental health journey influences her work.
From Life Rut to Bestselling Author
Before she began writing the novels that would catapult her to fame, Henry admits she was stuck in a life rut. Her advice to those feeling similarly? “You could try writing a book,” she suggests, half-jokingly. Henry’s own breakthrough came with her novel “Beach Read,” which she refers to as a “meta” experience.
Therapy and medication played a significant role in her journey to wellbeing. “There’s a reason that most of my books have ended with one or both characters going to therapy,” she admits. “For a happy ending to be sustained, for a relationship to continue growing and changing, you probably need some help.”
The Intricacies of Love
Henry’s novels often delve deep into the complexities and vulnerabilities of love. She confesses to having a romanticized view of the early stages of a relationship, despite acknowledging the difficulties. “I feel like I have such affection for that phase when you don’t know for sure how the other person feels,” she muses.
As for the evolution of the romance genre, Henry believes that contemporary romance has become more grounded and realistic, focusing on the health of relationships. She decries the long-held view of romance novels as a “guilty pleasure” and celebrates the genre’s wide variety, which allows readers to indulge in their fantasies.
Adapting Novels into Films
Henry’s success extends beyond the bookshelves, with three of her novels – “People We Meet on Vacation,” “Beach Read,” and another yet to be announced – being adapted into films. While she admits that books offer a unique collaboration between reader and writer, Henry is excited about seeing her work come alive on screen. She likens the adaptations to different interpretations of Batman, each unique yet true to the essence of the character.
Through her novels, Henry seeks to provide readers with a sense of joy, balanced with the realities of life. She aims to leave her readers with the feeling that, despite the difficulties they may be going through, the experience of love – in any form – is worth it.
For more on Emily Henry and her work, visit Emily Henry Writes.