Alice Oseman: Coloring Outside the Lines

Alice Oseman (she/they) is a 30 year-old queer author and illustrator. If you’re into YA fiction or feel-good stories that just make you smile, you’ve probably heard of Alice’s works. They have written the best-selling graphic novel Heartstopper and acted as writer, creator, and executive producer on Netflix’s on-screen adaptation of the series! In this “boy-meets-boy” coming-of-age narrative, Alice brings readers/viewers into the world of LGBTQ+ youth as they grapple with themselves, their feelings, and their changing relationships with each other. The low-stakes environment of the story—as she describes it—is relatively free from drama to create a real, bright, and moving portrayal of love. 

“Don’t let anyone make you disappear . . .” (Heartstopper)

Alice’s creativity is heavily intertwined with culture. They have shared that they grew up in a culture that encouraged creativity and storytelling. Because of this culture, Alice was able to use their creative outlets of writing and illustrating to help them navigate their own personal struggles of individuality (Harris np). These personal struggles would serve as a guiding light in Alice’s later career. In her novels, Alice creates a new culture for readers: a safe space for LGBTQ+ individuals, especially youth. By including a variety of love stories in their works, romantic and platonic alike (Harper Collins), Alice pushes back against compulsory sexuality/heterosexuality. For example, she reflects her own identity and journey as an aromantic asexual in the characters of Isaac and Torie in their respective books, Heartstopper and Solitaire. This motivation of deviation from social norms can help readers/viewers feel validated in their identity as they (1) feel represented in mainstream media and (2) feel supported in their experience of self-discovery.

        In reference to her relationship with her father, Martin Doudna, Jennifer Doudna recounts that “sometimes an intellectual bond is the strongest” (Isaacson 59). She emphasizes that the important relationships in life can be found in intellect and creativity, apart from love and affection. By being creative, we can create important bonds with those around us based on how we are similar in our appreciation of creative products. We can, then, use these bonds to enhance creativity through collaboration. As mentioned earlier, Alice’s creativity in their works allow readers/viewers to relate to the characters and find safety in their stories. Through this relatability, we can also find a secure connection in Alice, and they have spoken about this being a motivating factor in their creative process. Alice has also spoken about the influence of online fan communities in her success—an influence that borders on collaboration! For example, fans’ enthusiasm about Heartstopper significantly contributed to the transformation of this narrative into a series (Harper Collins); Because Alice created an inspirational culture of connection in which people feel safe and comfortable, they were able to expand their creativity onto the screen!

 

“One person can change everything. And you have changed everything for me.” (Solitaire)