British children's author Jacqueline Wilson, known for her candid exploration of childhood struggles, has expressed her surprise and delight at being seen as a "gay icon" following her coming out in 2020. In an interview with BBC News, Wilson, 78, said, "I'm very touched to be thought of as a gay icon, it's an absolute delight." She acknowledged that while she may not be one to "rampage around with a rainbow flag," she fully supports those who do.

Wilson, who recently released her first adult novel, Think Again, is known for tackling complex themes in her work. The novel, a sequel to her Girls series, explores same-sex relationships and follows the lives of Ellie, Nadine, and Magda as they navigate life at 40. Wilson shared that the idea for the sequel came from her daughter asking what happened to her characters as they grew up.

Wilson's coming out has brought a new audience to her work. She began a same-sex relationship after her divorce, but noted that her book's characters are not directly drawn from her personal life, saying, "I was just being imaginative when I wrote the book."

The author also discussed her views on sexuality, stating, "We don't need to just think that everyone is either straight or gay." She added that her generation was less open to the idea of diverse sexual orientations but acknowledged that society has since grown.

Jacqueline Wilson's New Novel: Think Again

Wilson's new novel, Think Again, is a sequel to her Girls series, which she began in 1997. The series was initially a four-part series exploring the lives of Ellie, Magda and Nadine, starting with their teenage years in the first book, Girls in Love, and continuing into adulthood in the final book, Girls in Tears.

Think Again is a stand-alone novel that takes place years after the original series concluded, focusing on the three women as they navigate their 40s. Ellie, having divorced her husband, finds herself falling in love with a woman, a storyline that mirrors Wilson's own experience. Wilson stated, "I'm aware that people will think that there are parallels but that's not the intention, I was just being imaginative when I wrote the book."

The book is not only a continuation of Wilson's iconic series but also explores themes of relationships, motherhood, work, and love in a contemporary context. Wilson has long been praised for her honest and unflinching depiction of complex realities, and Think Again is no exception.

A Legacy of Inclusivity

While Think Again is Wilson's first adult novel, it is not her first work featuring LGBTQ+ characters. In 2020, she published Love Frankie, a novel that featured an openly gay protagonist.

Wilson's decision to include LGBTQ+ characters in her work is a testament to her evolving understanding of inclusivity and her desire to reflect the diversity of the world around her. In an interview with The Guardian, Wilson explained her reasoning for waiting to include such characters in her work: "There would have been far more 'oh my gosh Jacqueline has written about someone who is gay' whereas now it's not a big deal."

A Growing Acceptance

Wilson's journey as a writer mirrors the broader societal shift toward greater acceptance of LGBTQ+ individuals. Her willingness to explore these themes in her work reflects the growing inclusivity that characterizes modern society.

The success of Think Again and the positive reception to Wilson's coming out suggest a growing audience for stories that reflect the diversity of human experiences. As Wilson herself stated, "We've definitely become much more grown up" in our understanding of sexuality and relationships.

The Power of Storytelling

Wilson's career is a testament to the power of storytelling to connect with audiences on a personal level. Her books have inspired generations of readers, and her willingness to explore difficult themes has made her a champion for inclusivity and understanding.

Think Again marks a new chapter in Wilson's career and demonstrates her ongoing commitment to telling stories that resonate with readers of all ages and backgrounds. It is a story that celebrates the complexities of life, the journey of self-discovery, and the evolving understanding of love and relationships in our ever-changing world.