Northern Highlight - Naomi Gibson

NORTHERN HIGHLIGHT 

Naomi Gibson

Why did you become a writer?

I don't remember "becoming" a writer as I've always kind of written, but I did grow up without

a TV and so was always surrounded by books. I read A LOT when I was a kid. Writing my own

book was probably inevitable now that I think about it. I started to take writing seriously about

five years ago when I enrolled in writing classes at a local college. It taught me all the rules,

many of which I've joyously broken in my debut, EVERY LINE OF YOU.

Published by Chicken House 

Tell us about where you live.

I've just moved from Warrington in Cheshire to Glasgow in Scotland. It's so different here, but

I'm loving it. I haven't been able to explore the city as much as I would have liked, but there are

lots of gorgeous walks and everyone is so friendly.

Where do you write? 

I write at home. I've always wanted to be one of those people who writes in cafes, but I can't

concentrate. I need silence! I work best in the morning and I sit with my laptop at the kitchen

table and a cup of tea.

What for you is the 'spirit of the North’?

The spirit of the North is hard to define, but for me it lies in friendliness and a sense of genuine

community. Strangers are always happy to stop and chat. I tried it once in London and it didn't

go down well. The silence on the tube is just suffocating, I can't handle it! I'm definitely a

Northern bird! Also, the Northern YA Lit Fest in Preston has been my favourite event for the

past couple of years since it started. It's great to connect with other Northern readers and

writers.

Has this spirit influenced your work?

It's influenced my work in the sense that most things I write are set up North, but that's because

I never saw that a lot in books I read growing up. Everything was always down South or in

America. I love setting my books up North and creating characters with Northern accents, even

drawing attention to the way words are said here (grass rhymes with ass, not with arse!) I do

like the South and London, but I love the North, particularly the North West.

Who for you are the great northern children’s writers?

The past couple of years I've had the wonderful pleasure of touching base with some fantastic Northern YA writers, and their books have been so amazing. A few include Amy McCaw who wrote the brilliant Mina and the Undead, Kat Ellis who wrote the haunting Harrow Lake, Cynthia Murphy who wrote the thrilling Last One To Die, and shout-out to Liz Flanagan who writes both MG and YA and is so amazingly kind and knowledgeable when it comes to writing.

If you could be transported to anywhere in the North right now, where would it be? 

I would 100% be transported quite happily to the Isle of Skye. We went for a holiday there late

2019 and it was just BEAUTIFUL. We stayed in a gorgeous new-build cottage overlooking a

loch, and waking up every morning to the sight of it was heaven. There are so many gorgeous

things to stare at on that island, and everyone was lovely and friendly, even when I told the

Talisker tour guide I didn't like whisky!

What would you like to see from children's publishing in the North?

I don't think I have a specific tick list of what I'm looking for, but I do want to see more publishers move up North. There is such talent here! Most of the industry is so London-centered and they're missing out on amazing editors, writers, illustrators, you name it. The North has a lot to give.

What's your favourite children's book set in the North/Scotland?

My favourite children's book set in Scotland... hmm, that's a toughie! I really loved V.E. Schwab's

CITY OF GHOSTS which was set in Edinburgh. It delves right into the creepiness of Edinburgh's

history and brings it to life in a way that was really satisfying to read.

 

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