Author Alan Carrigan: ‘I wanted disabled characters to experience the full spectrum of human emotion’

The Dublin YA writer of Then We’ll Be Happy on motivation, disability allowance and his love of theatre

Sun Nov 01 2026 - 05:00 • 4 MIN READ

Tell us about your novel, Then We’ll Be Happy

Seventeen-year-old Sam, who has cerebral palsy, just wants some control over his life. When an inaccessible bus bars him from a school trip, he decides to campaign for change. Doing so is just the catalyst, as along the way he has to confront his newly disabled former bully as well as his own ideas about ableism and his perception of himself. It’s a YA coming-of-age drama, but hopefully you’ll find a few laughs in there as well.

Was it important for you to write characters living with disabilities? If so, why?

Yes, I used to talk about how I saw little nuanced disability representation in the media; disabled characters were either incredibly happy or depressed. That’s not to say that disabled people can’t be those things. In fact, there are parts in my novel that go to both of those places, but I’m also interested in exploring the in-between. Human emotions are a full spectrum, and I wanted to see more disabled characters experience that spectrum.

In the book, the protagonist, Sam, is seeking independence. Do you find a sense of independence in writing?

Absolutely. Although getting a book published takes a whole team of people, in terms of writing, it has been one of the hardest and most fulfilling things I have done in my life. Using the computer is one of the few tasks I can do independently. During the pandemic I was frustrated with my unproductive relationship with screens, so I made a choice to look into story structure, and writing slowly became the bulk of my day, which has now brought me more opportunities outside of the screen, increasing independence and work ethic all round.

Sam plays powerchair football. Have you played, or would you ever try it?

I did play when I was much younger than Sam, but I am not much of a sportsperson. However, as soon as I came up with the plot point of a former bully becoming disabled, I needed an activity that worked in both nondisabled and disabled contexts; football seemed like a natural fit.

One of Sam’s friends talks about ‘finding little pockets of happiness where you can’. Is this something you try to do?

I don’t intentionally wake up each day searching for moments of happiness. But yes, a lot of my goals are big and will take more than a few days to achieve. Nobody’s going to manufacture motivation for me, so I have to find it from somewhere. Some days I don’t find it, but if something makes me happy, I’ve definitely got better at making time for it.

Which projects are you working on?

I am deep into the pitching stages, so I don’t know what’s next, but I’m excited to find out.

Have you made a literary pilgrimage?

As I mostly listen to audiobooks, I don’t tend to go to physical bookshops, but since becoming an author and going to sign books, I am increasingly impressed with the ingenuity and adaptability of booksellers in making tight spaces accessible to me. Particular favourites include Barker & Jones in Naas and the Maynooth Bookshop.

What’s the best writing advice?

It’s subjective, but the most consistent is: “Just start.” My novel is far from perfect, but it’s finished, and if I didn’t start, it wouldn’t exist.

Who do you admire most?

Anyone involved in creating theatre. Even though the story is fixed, every performance has the potential to be different. The amount of teamwork that goes into creating the night’s entertainment is just pure magic.

You are supreme ruler for a day. Which law do you pass or abolish?

I would abolish disability allowance being means tested. Many people, including myself, fear becoming too successful in case it gets taken away. Being disabled is expensive and, if anything, having a job just adds to that expense. Disability allowance should empower people to pursue opportunity, not deter them.

Which current book film and podcast would you recommend?

For a book, the audiobook of Project Hail Mary because it’s funny, thought-provoking and devastating. For a film, I’d choose Sunny Dancer. It’s about teens with cancer, without needing to bring hospitals into it. For a podcast, Off Book. In each episode they improvise a musical, most of which are recorded in front of an audience.

Which writers living or dead would you invite to your dream dinner party?

Writers who enjoy making white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake. In all seriousness, though, John Green, for writing the first books I enjoyed. Alice Wong, Shane Burcaw, Ben Mattlin and Lucy Webster for writing that acknowledges that being disabled is hard, but also amazing. Playwright and lyricist Howard Ashman for fuelling my love of animation and musicals, and the writers of The Little Big Things musical for showing me that disabled people belong in them. Most people on this list would bring their own seats, so with the remaining chairs I’d invite the community of Irish children’s writers, who have made me feel so welcome among them.

Your favourite fictional character?

My favourite fictional character is ever-changing because when with them, I’m not thinking about what their arc is going to be, I’m just enjoying the story.

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Your favourite quotation?

“At some point, you better learn just because someone wipes your ass doesn’t mean you have to kiss theirs” from Out of My Mind written by Sharon M Draper.

Then We’ll Be Happy is published by Chicken House

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