Jenny Ireland talks about her YA Book Prize shortlisted novel, The First Move

What inspired the story?

It was lockdown when I started The First Move. My arthritis had flared and, as always for me, the book started with a voice. And this voice was a teenage girl who was living with inflammatory arthritis, claiming to be cynical about love, but just like I was as a teenager, hoping for her own love story.

Due to lockdown, my husband had also put in a sufficient amount of complaining to get me to learn how to play chess. He showed me an app he used to play with people online, and it all started to come together.

What do you want readers to take away from your book?

The importance of empathy. Both main characters, as well as some side characters in the book are dealing with something behind-the-scenes (self-esteem issues, mental health issues, grief). None of the characters communicate their problems in the open and as a result they act in ways that are confusing and frustrating for the people around them. I wanted to highlight the fact that so many of us are dealing with difficult things that we don’t broadcast to the world.

Which character is your favourite, and why?

I’ve always loved side characters, in books and in movies. Michael, Juliet’s best friend is my favourite character. I think Michael personifies empathy when it comes to Juliet. He is the best friend I wish everyone could have and, in my mind, can do no wrong.

What does being on this year’s YA Book Prize shortlist mean to you?

I still can’t get over the fact that people take actual time out of their precious day to read my words, so to have my book acknowledged alongside such insanely talented authors is something I can’t quite compute. It’s an absolute honour.

How do you think the YA genre has changed over the past 10 years?

It has changed so much. There is so much more variety, more diversity, even more reason for me to shout about how great YA fiction is.

Why do you write for young adults?

I vividly remember what I felt like as a teenager. Which has been great for writing. Young adults are at this incredible point in their lives where everything is changing at an insane rate. You’re trying to figure out who you are, emotions and hormones are up and down, you can be on top of the world one second and rock bottom the next. Everybody goes through it, this universal transient state that shapes who we become in one way or another. To tap into that world again is magic. I can’t think of a better audience.

What was your favourite book as a teenager?

Sarra Manning’s Guitar Girl (Hachette Children’s). I was in a band with three friends (shout out to Four Foot Nothing) and when I read it my mind was blown. That was the book that brought the magic of reading back to me after quite the hiatus.

What do you need around you when you’re writing?

My electric blanket, tea, and preferably no natural light. It’s for the best that I don’t have anything else around me, I’m very easily distracted.

What songs would be on a playlist for your book?

Making book playlists is my favourite form of procrastination, so all of my books have their very own playlist. Songs that feature on The First Move playlist are, "This is Me" from the "Greatest Showman", Taylor Swift’s "White Horse", "Love Story" and "Mr Perfectly Fine". There’s a lot of Taylor Swift on that one actually. And no matter what anyone thinks of her music, I have never come across someone who can articulate the thoughts and feelings of a teenage girl so perfectly.

Which book, film or TV show would you recommend to someone who enjoyed your book?

"Love, Simon". And the book too, because it has a similar anonymous messaging premise.