Abiola Bello on creating love stories in London
When we think of the city of love, Paris is usually what comes to mind but there is something about London that’s very special. Maybe it’s the food, the art, the culture or maybe I’m biased because it’s my home town but I believe that London is one of those cities that whether it’s winter or summer it’s visually very stunning. There’s something to do for everyone from all walks of life which makes it the perfect backdrop to write YA love stories.
The gems in London for me are the quirky streets that you stumble upon. I remember walking around North London at Christmas and I walked through this side road, that had strings of fairy lights and jazz music playing from somewhere, couples holding hands along the cobbled streets and I thought this is the most romantic thing I’ve seen so I wrote a scene like that in my first YA novel Love in Winter Wonderland.
Christmas in London for me with all the Christmas lights is stunning and magical. It was easy for me to write about young adults falling in love with that visual in mind. But summer in London gives me a whole new energy. I’m an August baby and summer for me just brings good vibes, you’re outside more, everyone’s dressed more colourful, more relaxed – it’s gives me holiday feels. My new YA book The Love Dare is set in summer and my character Saint embodies that summer energy which is why I think The Love Dare has a calmer tone than Love in Winter Wonderland and Only for the Holidays.
It’s a fact that everyone is much happier when it’s summer in London. A city where we’re used to wearing layers and carrying an umbrella at all times so the first chance of sun we see we are immediately at the nearest park or the beach or grabbing an ice-cream. But an iconic part of London at summer is Notting Hill Carnival.
I always describe Notting Hill Carnival as the soundtrack of London. The heartbeat of summer. It’s full of culture, music, dance and it unites people from all over which is why Eva and Saint meeting at Carnival is perfect. Where else can you dance up on a random guy and then invite him to your birthday party? Visually Carnival has it all and the idea of Eva dressed in a very revealing, sexy, colourful carnival costume grabbing the hand of a reserved boy, who is wearing an anime t-shirt made me smile.
In London you can fall in love anywhere. Loads of places for meet-cutes – the tube, the museum, a bookshop, a park, the funfair. The possibilities are endless. I don’t think there is a more perfect city for my books and I’m pretty sure I’ll write many love stories in London. It really is the best backdrop for love.
The Love Dare is out in paperback now.
