Heather Cripps in the spotlight Lucent Dreaming interview

Heather Cripps in the spotlight

Tonight we put the spotlight on Heather Cripps, whose story ‘Lovable’ is published in issue 10 of Lucent Dreaming. You can watch and listen to the author read the piece on YouTube.

So, what inspired your piece ‘Lovable’? Can you tell us a little more about what it’s about?

Lovable is about a young girl going on a date with another girl, and hiding this from her religious parents. It is inspired by my own life experience of discovering my sexuality and the guilt and worry about losing people you love because of who you are.  

What are some of your favourite books and art (including shows, videos, music) – of all time or more recently. Why are they favourites? 

My favourite books of all time are My Year of Rest and Relaxation by Ottessa Moshfegh, Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi, The Truants by Kate Weinberg, Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid… okay too many to name. I love books about complicated, real women, anything about celebrities and influencer culture, and campus novels. 

Killing Eve and I May Destroy You are my favourite TV shows recently (more complicated women!) and I’m a huge Swiftie. I think she tells amazing stories through her songs.

What, if anything, are you looking forward to right now and are there any writing/creative projects you’re currently working on? 

I’m looking forward to a year filled with traveling (if we can!), concerts, new books, tv shows, and hopefully writing successes! I’ve been working on my novel Beau is Fine with my agent, and we’re getting very close to a final draft! The book is about seventeen-year-old YouTube star Beau Woods who is part of the successful vlogging family, Family Woods. When Beau suddenly goes missing young Mum, Paige, is desperate to find him.

Can you tell us about how you got into writing and art? Is there anyone whose support or encouragement really inspired or motivated you?

I got into writing through doing fanfiction. I loved other people’s and books so much I wanted to continue exploring them, and when I’d done that for a bit I thought it would be cool to try and write my own stuff. When I was a teenager I desperately wanted to be the next John Green.  

I went to university to study Creative Writing at Gloucestershire and honestly it was my lecturers there who inspired me the most. It was the first time someone read my work and said, wow okay you can actually do this, keep going, keep reading, keep writing.  I hope they’re all doing good!  

Then also my wonderful agent Lucy Morris, who believed in me enough to sign me up and has encouraged me and helped me so much in the editing process!  

Where can people see more of you and your work? 

I have a website (heathercripps.wordpress.com) which I try to keep updated with any publications I’ve had. I also tweet at @heather_cripps which is where you can find news about any writing related things that may be happening!   

Lucent Dreaming is an independent creative writing magazine of surreal writing and art, and publisher of emerging authors and artists worldwide. Subscribe to Lucent Dreaming now, support us on Patreon and follow us on TwitterFacebook and Instagram

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