The Northern Irish journalist turned author on writing a haunted house novel for the rental age, her trick for capturing dialogue and favourite millennial reads

Róisín Lanigan, 33, grew up in Belfast and studied at Queen’s University Belfast before moving to London to work as a journalist. She previously covered pop culture at i-D magazine, and is now contributing editor at the independent quarterly the Fence. Her absorbing debut novel, I Want to Go Home But I’m Already There (Fig Tree), remakes the haunted house genre for the rental age, following a millennial couple, Áine and Elliott, as they first move in together. Soon, Áine begins to think the flat is against them, and Lanigan incisively tracks her character’s very modern descent into despair.

Up until now you’ve worked as a journalist. Did you always want to be a novelist?
I always wanted to write fiction, but it’s one of those jobs that feels so out of reach. It took me a long time to take it seriously and to believe that I could do it, especially when it comes to making up characters. It’s a strange departure from one where everything is factual and you can’t make up quotes.

I Want to Go Home But I’m Already There by Róisín Lanigan is published by Fig Tree, £16.99. To support the Guardian and Observer order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply