This-Then-That: YA Contemporary Edition

June 17, 2020

Another week. Another installment of THIS-THEN-THAT. For all of you who commented either here or on Instagram, and in the IG Story for this week’s installment, thank you! Let’s do this again.

A reminder. THIS-THEN-THAT is a game that uses this format: If you liked THIS title, THEN you might enjoy THAT one.

This-Then-That.

The theme this week is YA Contemporary, which I have discovered is probably one of my favorite categories right up with YA fantasy. I didn’t realize it until I started pulling titles from my shelf and watched the stack take shape. So many good stories…

Same format as last week. Left side are the THIS titles and the right side are the THAT titles.

Here we go. . .

This

We Speak in Storms by Natalie Lund

A beautiful debut novel that follows three different teens as they grapple with metaphorical and literal ghosts haunting them. Its beautiful and the prose is moving.

Looking for Alaska by John Green

So, if you haven’t watched the Hulu series (or maybe you have and you want something else to read), this story is moody, angsty, and wonderful.

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Cath—one half of the dynamic twin duo she makes up with her sister, Wren—does better with her computer and the fan fiction she writes. So starting college is throwing her off. This is one amazing read (and I’m not just saying it).

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Saenz

This tale about a young man’s journey to discover the keys to his identity is both poignant and lyrical. The prose is beautiful.

Patron Saints of Nothing by Randy Ribay

This is wonderful tale of exploration when attempting to navigate ethnicity and culture when feeling like an outsider. It’s part coming-of-age, part cultural exploration, and part murder mystery.

Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Rowell has made the list twice (as she should because I couldn’t choose between Fangirl or this title). This book is about two strangers who happen to sit next to one another on the school bus and somehow magic happens.

Bookish Boyfriends: Talk Nerdy to Me by Tiffany Schmidt

This is an adorable romcom with lots of heart. Schmidt develops complex and dynamic heroines more inclined to discover the secrets about themselves (with a dash of romance on the side) - and all layered with the beauty of existing stories. This one is the third in the series about Eliza as she reads both Frankenstein and Anne of Green Gables.

The Serpent King by Jeff Zentner

This was Zentner’s debut novel (he’s since added three more titles to his book stack) and it hit me right in my heart. It’s a male coming-of-age about identity in relationship to fathers. It’s wonderful!

Simon and the Homo Sapians Agenda

“Sixteen-year-old and not-so-openly gay Simon Spier prefers to save his drama for the school musical. But when an email falls into the wrong hands, his secret is at risk of being thrust into the spotlight. Now change-averse Simon has to find a way to step out of his comfort zone before he's pushed out without alienating his friends, compromising himself, or fumbling a shot at happiness with the most confusing, adorable guy he's never met.” Powellsbooks.com

Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone

Samantha McAllister looks like every other girl in her class except she struggles with a hidden mental illness, working to hide it from everyone who knows her. She finds solace in poetry club and learns that sometimes you just need the people in your life as a support system.

That

Bridge of Clay by Markus Zusak

One of my favorite books ever written. This is the story about Clay Dunbar and what he does to save his brothers—all of them—from the ghosts threatening to tear them apart.

Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner

So you’re waiting for your friends to pick you up after work. You text them. Next thing you know, they’ve been in a fatal accident.

Yeah…

Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

So you were introduced to Simon and Baz in Fanrgirl. Here’s the story Cath was fangirling about!

We Are Okay by Nina LaCour

This is such a beautiful story about grief, self-acceptance, love and friendship. Marin disappears after the death of her grandfather; It takes her best friend Mabel to bring back to the land of the living.

A Very Large Expanse of Sea by Tahereh Mafi

Shirin is a muslim girl in America post 9-11. With racism and prejudice rampant, she’s built some tall walls. Then she meets Ocean, and he threatens to bring them all down.

Every Other Weekend by Abigail Johnson

Adam’s family is falling apart after the death of his oldest brother. Jolene’s family fell apart a long time ago. Every other weekend, they find comfort in their friendship. But when they take things to the next level, will it all fall apart?

The Best Laid Plans by Cameron Lund

A classic friends-to -overs romcom, Keely is ready to have sex but she doesn’t want it to be with one of the boys she’s known since Kindergarten. When she meets college boy Dean, she thinks he’s the one, but will her virginity cost her the man of her dreams? That’s where best friend Andrew comes in and everything goes awry.

The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo

A powerful narrative written in verse, this story follows Xiomara as she navigates what it means to be a young woman, a daughter, and a person of color amidst the familial, religious and cultural messages that bombard her.

Only Mostly Devastated by Sophia Gonzales

This is an adorable Grease retelling featuring Ollie who had a summer fling with Will. When Ollie unexpectedly remains in town and starts high school, the boy Ollie thought was comfortable out, isn’t.

Together We Caught Fire by Eva V. Gibson

An unflinching story that grapples with heavy topics like suicide, mental illness and religion, sex and self-efficacy. This story is tightly weaved together in this story about Lane, her journey navigating complicated relationships and learning she doesn’t have to do it all alone.

For your consideration (because I write YA Contemporary. :) . . .

Earlier this year, a bookstagram friend on IG, Lavinia (@instaraygram) who helped with last week’s post read The Cantos Chronicle (the books I wrote). She said she loved them . . . and asked me if I’d read Brigid Kemmerer? She said, “Your style reminds me of hers.” I hadn’t, but I was immediately intrigued. So I scooped up all of her titles and FELL IN LOVE with her (so what an honor to be compared to her!) So one more This/That . . .

THIS

More Than We Can Tell by Brigid Kemmerer

THAT

Finally . . . Join me on my IG Story (@cl.walters) to help with next week’s theme: YA Sci Fi and Dystopian. I need your help.

January 2025
- Jan 17, 2025 Bring Back the Dystopian Craze of 2012 Jan 17, 2025
July 2024
- Jul 15, 2024 Imposter Syndrome: Tools for Authenticty Jul 15, 2024
June 2024
- Jun 1, 2024 June Read Along: In the Echo of this Ghost Town Jun 1, 2024
March 2024
- Mar 25, 2024 New Post on SubStack tomorrow! Mar 25, 2024
- Mar 1, 2024 March Read Along: The Bone of Who We Are Mar 1, 2024
January 2024
- Jan 31, 2024 February Read Along: The Ugly Truth Jan 31, 2024
December 2023
- Dec 28, 2023 2024: Year of the Read Along Dec 28, 2023
October 2023
- Oct 25, 2023 Unhealthy Relationships and Romance Books Oct 25, 2023
- Oct 25, 2023 Relationships: Isolation versus Autonomy Oct 25, 2023
- Oct 22, 2023 Unhealthy Relationships: The Love Bomb Oct 22, 2023
- Oct 22, 2023 Healthy Relationships: Hindsight is 20/20 Oct 22, 2023
- Oct 22, 2023 Relationships: Beware Gaslighting Oct 22, 2023
September 2023
- Sep 25, 2023 Blog Digest from 2018-2023 Sep 25, 2023
August 2023
- Aug 26, 2023 Blog Moved to Substack Aug 26, 2023
July 2023
- Jul 31, 2023 The Trials of Imogene Sol: The Allies Jul 31, 2023
- Jul 13, 2023 Foundational Books & Book Bans Jul 13, 2023
- Jul 5, 2023 Tropes: Found Family Jul 5, 2023
June 2023
- Jun 21, 2023 3 Things I Learned About Reading Space Opera Jun 21, 2023
May 2023
- May 24, 2023 The Dangers of Myopic Reading May 24, 2023
- May 17, 2023 My Trek...Journey...Quest to O'ahu Independent Bookstores May 17, 2023
- May 10, 2023 My Life as an Alien Invader May 10, 2023
- May 3, 2023 How I Got to Hawaiʻi, My Hawaiʻi Story May 3, 2023
April 2023
- Apr 26, 2023 You Can Go Home Again Apr 26, 2023
March 2023
- Mar 29, 2023 Cantos Love: Happy Anniversary! Mar 29, 2023
- Mar 22, 2023 Cantos Love: Gabe Mar 22, 2023
- Mar 15, 2023 Cantos Love: Seth Mar 15, 2023
- Mar 8, 2023 Cantos Love: How They Came to Be Mar 8, 2023
- Mar 1, 2023 Cantos Love: A Month of Cantos Mar 1, 2023
January 2023
- Jan 25, 2023 The Letters She Left Behind, 3 Years. Jan 25, 2023
- Jan 18, 2023 Behind-the Scenes: The Trials of Imogene Sol Jan 18, 2023
- Jan 11, 2023 Behind-the-Scenes: Reading & All My Rage Jan 11, 2023
November 2022
- Nov 16, 2022 Book Hangover List Nov 16, 2022
- Nov 9, 2022 Advice: Find your People Nov 9, 2022
October 2022
- Oct 26, 2022 Contest Awarded Short Story: The Invalid Oct 26, 2022
- Oct 13, 2022 The WHY Behind The Messy Truth About Love Oct 13, 2022
June 2022
- Jun 27, 2022 4 Things You Should Know about The Messy Truth About Love Before Reading Jun 27, 2022
February 2022
- Feb 2, 2022 February Ideals: Dreaming Feb 2, 2022
December 2021
- Dec 22, 2021 My Top 10 Songs (w/Lyrics) 2021 Dec 22, 2021
- Dec 15, 2021 My Top 5 Characters I've Written Dec 15, 2021
- Dec 1, 2021 My Top 5 of My Own Books Dec 1, 2021
September 2021
- Sep 1, 2021 Road to Echoes: 8 Tips for Using NaNoWriMo to Write Your Novel Sep 1, 2021
August 2021
- Aug 25, 2021 Road to Echoes: 4 Lessons I Learned Writing Maxwell Wallace Aug 25, 2021
- Aug 18, 2021 Road to Echoes: Tropes Aug 18, 2021
- Aug 11, 2021 The Road to Echoes: Loud Characters Aug 11, 2021
- Aug 4, 2021 The Road to Echoes: Putting the Story Together Aug 4, 2021
July 2021
- Jul 28, 2021 The Road to Echoes: Research to Understand Griffin Jul 28, 2021
- Jul 21, 2021 The Road to Echoes: Secondary Characters Primer Jul 21, 2021
- Jul 14, 2021 The Road to Echoes: Writing Difficult Characters Jul 14, 2021
- Jul 7, 2021 The Road of Echoes: What Inspired Griffin's Story? Jul 7, 2021
June 2021
- Jun 30, 2021 The Road of Echoes: New Blog Series Jun 30, 2021
May 2021
- May 26, 2021 Favorite Reads of 2021 So Far May 26, 2021
- May 19, 2021 Cover Love May 19, 2021
- May 12, 2021 Writing Limbo May 12, 2021
- May 5, 2021 Writing In Between May 5, 2021
April 2021
- Apr 28, 2021 April Challenge: Update No. 4 Apr 28, 2021
- Apr 21, 2021 April Challenge: Update No. 3 Apr 21, 2021
- Apr 14, 2021 April Challenge: Update No. 2 Apr 14, 2021
- Apr 7, 2021 April Challenge: Update No. 1 Apr 7, 2021
March 2021
- Mar 31, 2021 April Challenge: Finishing the Draft Mar 31, 2021
February 2021
- Feb 24, 2021 Character Speaks: Dear Paola, from Gabe Feb 24, 2021
- Feb 17, 2021 Character Speaks: Dear Sam, from Seth Feb 17, 2021
- Feb 10, 2021 Ask the Author: Advice for Newbie Writers? Feb 10, 2021
- Feb 3, 2021 Ask the Author: What motivates you to write? Feb 3, 2021
January 2021
- Jan 27, 2021 Ask the Author: Series or Stand Alone? Jan 27, 2021
- Jan 20, 2021 Ask the Author: Why did you choose to write YA? (Part 2) Jan 20, 2021
- Jan 13, 2021 Ask the Author: Why did you choose to write YA? Jan 13, 2021
- Jan 6, 2021 Ask the Author: Favorite Part of the Writing Process? Jan 6, 2021
October 2020
- Oct 16, 2020 Rainy Day Collective Podcast & Purity Culture Oct 16, 2020
- Oct 14, 2020 The Stories Stars Tell: It's Here! Oct 14, 2020
July 2020
- Jul 1, 2020 Interview: Lauren-Marie with The Indigo Book Jul 1, 2020
June 2020
- Jun 24, 2020 This-Then-That: YA Dystopian and SciFi Edition Jun 24, 2020
- Jun 17, 2020 This-Then-That: YA Contemporary Edition Jun 17, 2020
- Jun 10, 2020 This-Then-That: YA Fantasy Edition Jun 10, 2020
May 2020
- May 27, 2020 Reading Wonderland Interview: Piper Bee May 27, 2020
- May 20, 2020 Reading Wonderland Interview: Nancy Richardson Fischer May 20, 2020
- May 13, 2020 Reading Wonderland Interview: Rob Rufus May 13, 2020
- May 6, 2020 Reading Wonderland Interview: Lisa Brown Roberts May 6, 2020
April 2020
- Apr 29, 2020 Reading Wonderland: an Introduction Apr 29, 2020
- Apr 22, 2020 Quarantine: 37 Days Apr 22, 2020
March 2020
- Mar 31, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: Road Trip Wrap Up Mar 31, 2020
- Mar 25, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 8 Mar 25, 2020
- Mar 18, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 7 Mar 18, 2020
- Mar 11, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 6 Mar 11, 2020
February 2020
- Feb 29, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 5 Feb 29, 2020
- Feb 24, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 4 Feb 24, 2020
- Feb 19, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 3 Feb 19, 2020
- Feb 12, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 2 Feb 12, 2020
- Feb 4, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 1 Feb 4, 2020
January 2020
- Jan 29, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: A Hope and A Dream Jan 29, 2020
- Jan 15, 2020 The Letters She Left Behind: It's here! Jan 15, 2020
December 2019
- Dec 18, 2019 The Letters She Left Behind: Character Interview Dec 18, 2019
- Dec 11, 2019 The Letters She Left Behind: Annotated Playlist Dec 11, 2019
October 2019
- Oct 16, 2019 Awesome Writer Spotlight: Mary E. Pearson (again) Oct 16, 2019
- Oct 7, 2019 The Bones of Who We Are: Gratitude Oct 7, 2019
September 2019
- Sep 30, 2019 The Bones of Who We Are: It's time. Sep 30, 2019
- Sep 16, 2019 The Bones of Who We Are: A Difficult Story Sep 16, 2019
- Sep 9, 2019 The Bones of Who We Are: Journey to Gabe Sep 9, 2019
July 2019
- Jul 8, 2019 The Bones of Who We Are: Aesthetic Jul 8, 2019
May 2019
- May 26, 2019 Time Away May 26, 2019
- May 20, 2019 Writing Inspiration: Music May 20, 2019
- May 13, 2019 Awesome Writer Spotlight: Mary E. Pearson May 13, 2019
- May 6, 2019 Happy Book Birthday: A Character Interview May 6, 2019
- May 1, 2019 The Letters She Left Behind PLAYLIST May 1, 2019
April 2019
- Apr 29, 2019 YA Author Series - Author Spotlight: Genevieve Jane Apr 29, 2019
- Apr 15, 2019 YA Author Series - Author Spotlight: M. Wednesday Apr 15, 2019
- Apr 8, 2019 YA Author Series - Author Spotlight: Leslie Arambula Apr 8, 2019
- Apr 1, 2019 YA Author Series - Author Spotlight: Alison Aldridge Apr 1, 2019
March 2019
- Mar 25, 2019 YA Author Series Launch: CL Walters Mar 25, 2019
- Mar 12, 2019 Book Mash-Up Fun Mar 12, 2019
- Mar 4, 2019 Snappy Dialogue in 3 Minutes Mar 4, 2019
February 2019
- Feb 25, 2019 Pacing the Narrative: A New Tool Feb 25, 2019
- Feb 18, 2019 Character and Conflict Part2: Motivation Feb 18, 2019
- Feb 11, 2019 Character and Conflict, part one: Types of Conflict Feb 11, 2019
- Feb 4, 2019 Point of View and Writing Feb 4, 2019
January 2019
- Jan 28, 2019 Off to Refill the Well . . . Jan 28, 2019
- Jan 21, 2019 Character-Driven or Plot Driven Narrative? Jan 21, 2019
- Jan 14, 2019 Character: Conversations Jan 14, 2019
December 2018
- Dec 3, 2018 The Ugly Truth: Cover Reveal and Playlist Dec 3, 2018
October 2018
- Oct 29, 2018 This Writer Reads Oct 29, 2018
- Oct 8, 2018 Empathy is Our Superpower! Oct 8, 2018
- Oct 4, 2018 The Writer Hoard Oct 4, 2018

Reading Wonderland Interview: Nancy Richardson Fischer

May 20, 2020

Alice’s escape down the rabbit hole really was about one thing: ADVENTURE. She wanted her own adventure instead of reading about it.

This quintessential idea brings to mind one of my favorite quotations in a fantasy book series I recently finished called The Shades of Magic trilogy by V.E. Schwab (if you like edgy fantasy - a MUST read! The series begins with A Darker Shade of Magic). Lila, one of the central characters told another, “‘I’d rather die on an adventure than live standing still.’” And isn’t that, in many ways, a truth for all of us?

One amazing adventure story I wanted to share with you is The Speed of Falling Objects written by Nancy Richardson Fischer (her novel When Elephants Fly has been nominated for the Leslie Bradshaw Award for Young Adult Literature). It is not only a survival story but also an incredible coming-of-age tale swirling with family drama and new love.

Danielle (Dani) Warren, the daughter of a TV reality survivalist, is nothing like her brave father. After an accident that takes her site in one eye, she’s learned to compensate for that change, but that isn’t the only thing she’s compensating for; she wants to make everyone else happy, especially her mom, but it’s beginning to feel like it’s at a cost to her own. When her dad, who she hasn’t seen for years, calls to invite her on a trip to the Amazon to film the next episode of his TV show, she jumps at the chance to prove she can be the daughter he’s always wanted. But nothing goes as planned. When their small plane crashes in the Amazon and a terrible secret is revealed, Dani must face the truth about her parents, about her own happiness, and find the strength to survive the deadly rainforest to find her way home.

I loved this story, and over the last several months, I have had the wonderful opportunity to get to know Ms. Richardson-Fischer through Instagram (give her a follow @nanfischerauthor). She so graciously agreed to answer my questions as a contributor to the Reading Wonderland:

CLW: The Speed of Falling Objects is a survival story set in the Amazon. I have read on several occasions your aversion to reptiles and creepy crawly things. What on earth inspired this story?

NRF: I’ve always been fascinated with stories of survival—sinking sailboats and months lost at sea, climbers who help each other crawl down mountains after brutal injuries—there is no better way to figure out who people are, at their core, then to witness them struggle and see who retains their humanity, survives and thrives. Usually, it’s the person you least expect that digs deepest and surprises!

Originally the plane crash in this novel was going to happen on a snow-covered mountain. I’ve spent time winter camping, used to rock climb, and understand that world. But while doing research, it became clear that nothing would push Danny toward growth more than the Amazon.

There are 3,600 species of spiders in the Amazon Basin, 2.5 million insects, and seventeen types of highly venomous snakes. Plus, there are so many ways to die! If the plane crash doesn’t result in devastating injuries, a bite from a wandering spider can kill in less than twenty minutes. The fer-de-lance, an aggressive pit viper, has venom that leads to gangrene, amputation and death. Even the frogs exude a toxin that can cause fatal heart attacks. There are bullet ants whose bite feels like a gunshot, bloodthirsty leeches and electric eels that can unleash over 600 volts …

All of which I studied with shudders (Danny and I have that in common) as I squinted at photos, read first-person-accounts and watched survivalist videos. Choosing to create a character that has similar fears, at least in the creepy crawly realm, allowed me to identify and empathize with Danny and tap into my own very real fears to make hers more believable.

CLW: When writing this story, what was the scariest thing you researched and how did you get through it?

NRF: The scariest things were the spiders! Seriously, I am less afraid of a plane crash, broken bones and other injuries, sleeping in the jungle, even scorpions and snakes, than I am of a spider. But spiders came with the story and over time I was able to not just read about them but look at them so I could realistically describe their furry, terrifying bodies. For the record, in real life I’m still petrified of them.

CLW: There are a lot of things I loved about this book, but here are two: the way you delved into family relationships and its impact on identity, and the real way teens have feelings (especially with respect to sex and relationships) and how you didn’t shy away from either. Can you comment on what helps you explore those kinds of heavier topics with depth and realism?

NRF: The best way I know to explore heavy topics is to do the research. I read about dysfunctional families, used my own experiences in that realm, talked to teens, watched videos, read other books that dove into dark subject matter and then did my best to respectfully explore all the issues that Danny faces.

CLW: The Speed of Falling Objects is your fourth book and the follow up to the YA, When Elephants Fly. Having been through this publication process, going to book signings, interacting with readers, what was the most surprising thing(s) you have learned going through the process?

NRF: The Speed of Falling Objects is actually my eleventh published book! My first eight were sport autobiographies that I co-wrote with athletes like Monica Seles, Nadia Comaneci and Apolo Ohno. I also wrote three Junior Jedi Books for LucasFilm and then wrote When Elephants Fly followed by The Speed of Falling Objects. There have been a lot of surprises along the way. First, it was a much longer process getting to the point where I could write my own fiction than I imagined. Second, I’m surprised at how much I love the editing process—that’s where the real magic happens! Third, interacting with readers, doing books signings and meeting other authors has been both a joy and much needed. Writing is a solitary process so hearing from readers who love my books feeds my soul and talking with other authors provides a much needed group of friends who both support each other and help ease the rough patches along the road to publication.

CLW: Which is the favorite book you’ve written, and why is that the case?

NRF: I really don’t have a favorite! I loved writing Lily and Swifty’s stories in When Elephants Fly and the chance to educate people about the plight of elephants, but then along came Danger Danielle Warren in The Speed of Falling Objects… Each book I write is my favorite of the moment. And then I move on and give my heart to the next story.

CLW: What is your favorite genre to read, and do you have a recommendation for readers?

NRF: My reading is all over the place. I love all of Tana French’s mysteries—she’s a poet at heart and creates incredible characters. I can’t put down Stephen King’s novels and am dazzled by his imagination and the way he makes me care. And Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale has stayed with me for life.

CLW: Favorite classic read?

NRF: For Whom The Bell Tolls by Ernest Hemingway.

CLW: Stephen King wrote that “Books are distinctly portable magic.” What was the last book you read that transported you?

NRF: Mary Doria Russell’s The Sparrow changed me forever. Then I read her follow-up, Children of God, and I was changed again.

CLW: Which specific authors or specific books - YA and otherwise - have inspired your own author’s journey?

NRF: Too many to name so I’ll just list a few of the authors I love… Misa Sugiura, Jennifer Longo, Jennifer Mathieu, Frances Hodgson Burnett, Stephen King, Peter Straub, Rebecca Makai, Mark Helprin, Sara Blake, Diana Gabaldon, Barbara Kingsolver…

CLW: The theme is YA Contemporary books. What makes your top-five list in no particular order?

All the Bright Places [by Jennifer Niven]

A List of Cages [by Robin Roe]

The Outsiders [by S.E. Hinton]

The Hunger Games [by Suzanne Collins]

Lord of the Flies [by William Golding]

CLW: What are you working on now?

I’m working on my second adult novel! It’s an exciting new world and I hope that the readers who loved When Elephants Fly and The Speed of Falling Objects will take a chance and give my next novel a try!

CLW: Where can readers find you?

Readers can find me on Instagram and Twitter @nanfischerauthor and can write me at: nancyrichardsonfischerauthor@gmail.com. For all requests, please contact my agent, Stephanie Kip Rostan, Levine Greenberg Rostan Literary Agency.

So much thanks to Ms. Richardson-Fischer and the time she offered to share with us!

Next Week: Piper Bee and her upcoming release,

Joy’s Summer Love Playlist

January 2025
- Jan 17, 2025 Bring Back the Dystopian Craze of 2012 Jan 17, 2025
July 2024
- Jul 15, 2024 Imposter Syndrome: Tools for Authenticty Jul 15, 2024
June 2024
- Jun 1, 2024 June Read Along: In the Echo of this Ghost Town Jun 1, 2024
March 2024
- Mar 25, 2024 New Post on SubStack tomorrow! Mar 25, 2024
- Mar 1, 2024 March Read Along: The Bone of Who We Are Mar 1, 2024
January 2024
- Jan 31, 2024 February Read Along: The Ugly Truth Jan 31, 2024
December 2023
- Dec 28, 2023 2024: Year of the Read Along Dec 28, 2023
October 2023
- Oct 25, 2023 Unhealthy Relationships and Romance Books Oct 25, 2023
- Oct 25, 2023 Relationships: Isolation versus Autonomy Oct 25, 2023
- Oct 22, 2023 Unhealthy Relationships: The Love Bomb Oct 22, 2023
- Oct 22, 2023 Healthy Relationships: Hindsight is 20/20 Oct 22, 2023
- Oct 22, 2023 Relationships: Beware Gaslighting Oct 22, 2023
September 2023
- Sep 25, 2023 Blog Digest from 2018-2023 Sep 25, 2023
August 2023
- Aug 26, 2023 Blog Moved to Substack Aug 26, 2023
July 2023
- Jul 31, 2023 The Trials of Imogene Sol: The Allies Jul 31, 2023
- Jul 13, 2023 Foundational Books & Book Bans Jul 13, 2023
- Jul 5, 2023 Tropes: Found Family Jul 5, 2023
June 2023
- Jun 21, 2023 3 Things I Learned About Reading Space Opera Jun 21, 2023
May 2023
- May 24, 2023 The Dangers of Myopic Reading May 24, 2023
- May 17, 2023 My Trek...Journey...Quest to O'ahu Independent Bookstores May 17, 2023
- May 10, 2023 My Life as an Alien Invader May 10, 2023
- May 3, 2023 How I Got to Hawaiʻi, My Hawaiʻi Story May 3, 2023
April 2023
- Apr 26, 2023 You Can Go Home Again Apr 26, 2023
March 2023
- Mar 29, 2023 Cantos Love: Happy Anniversary! Mar 29, 2023
- Mar 22, 2023 Cantos Love: Gabe Mar 22, 2023
- Mar 15, 2023 Cantos Love: Seth Mar 15, 2023
- Mar 8, 2023 Cantos Love: How They Came to Be Mar 8, 2023
- Mar 1, 2023 Cantos Love: A Month of Cantos Mar 1, 2023
January 2023
- Jan 25, 2023 The Letters She Left Behind, 3 Years. Jan 25, 2023
- Jan 18, 2023 Behind-the Scenes: The Trials of Imogene Sol Jan 18, 2023
- Jan 11, 2023 Behind-the-Scenes: Reading & All My Rage Jan 11, 2023
November 2022
- Nov 16, 2022 Book Hangover List Nov 16, 2022
- Nov 9, 2022 Advice: Find your People Nov 9, 2022
October 2022
- Oct 26, 2022 Contest Awarded Short Story: The Invalid Oct 26, 2022
- Oct 13, 2022 The WHY Behind The Messy Truth About Love Oct 13, 2022
June 2022
- Jun 27, 2022 4 Things You Should Know about The Messy Truth About Love Before Reading Jun 27, 2022
February 2022
- Feb 2, 2022 February Ideals: Dreaming Feb 2, 2022
December 2021
- Dec 22, 2021 My Top 10 Songs (w/Lyrics) 2021 Dec 22, 2021
- Dec 15, 2021 My Top 5 Characters I've Written Dec 15, 2021
- Dec 1, 2021 My Top 5 of My Own Books Dec 1, 2021
September 2021
- Sep 1, 2021 Road to Echoes: 8 Tips for Using NaNoWriMo to Write Your Novel Sep 1, 2021
August 2021
- Aug 25, 2021 Road to Echoes: 4 Lessons I Learned Writing Maxwell Wallace Aug 25, 2021
- Aug 18, 2021 Road to Echoes: Tropes Aug 18, 2021
- Aug 11, 2021 The Road to Echoes: Loud Characters Aug 11, 2021
- Aug 4, 2021 The Road to Echoes: Putting the Story Together Aug 4, 2021
July 2021
- Jul 28, 2021 The Road to Echoes: Research to Understand Griffin Jul 28, 2021
- Jul 21, 2021 The Road to Echoes: Secondary Characters Primer Jul 21, 2021
- Jul 14, 2021 The Road to Echoes: Writing Difficult Characters Jul 14, 2021
- Jul 7, 2021 The Road of Echoes: What Inspired Griffin's Story? Jul 7, 2021
June 2021
- Jun 30, 2021 The Road of Echoes: New Blog Series Jun 30, 2021
May 2021
- May 26, 2021 Favorite Reads of 2021 So Far May 26, 2021
- May 19, 2021 Cover Love May 19, 2021
- May 12, 2021 Writing Limbo May 12, 2021
- May 5, 2021 Writing In Between May 5, 2021
April 2021
- Apr 28, 2021 April Challenge: Update No. 4 Apr 28, 2021
- Apr 21, 2021 April Challenge: Update No. 3 Apr 21, 2021
- Apr 14, 2021 April Challenge: Update No. 2 Apr 14, 2021
- Apr 7, 2021 April Challenge: Update No. 1 Apr 7, 2021
March 2021
- Mar 31, 2021 April Challenge: Finishing the Draft Mar 31, 2021
February 2021
- Feb 24, 2021 Character Speaks: Dear Paola, from Gabe Feb 24, 2021
- Feb 17, 2021 Character Speaks: Dear Sam, from Seth Feb 17, 2021
- Feb 10, 2021 Ask the Author: Advice for Newbie Writers? Feb 10, 2021
- Feb 3, 2021 Ask the Author: What motivates you to write? Feb 3, 2021
January 2021
- Jan 27, 2021 Ask the Author: Series or Stand Alone? Jan 27, 2021
- Jan 20, 2021 Ask the Author: Why did you choose to write YA? (Part 2) Jan 20, 2021
- Jan 13, 2021 Ask the Author: Why did you choose to write YA? Jan 13, 2021
- Jan 6, 2021 Ask the Author: Favorite Part of the Writing Process? Jan 6, 2021
October 2020
- Oct 16, 2020 Rainy Day Collective Podcast & Purity Culture Oct 16, 2020
- Oct 14, 2020 The Stories Stars Tell: It's Here! Oct 14, 2020
July 2020
- Jul 1, 2020 Interview: Lauren-Marie with The Indigo Book Jul 1, 2020
June 2020
- Jun 24, 2020 This-Then-That: YA Dystopian and SciFi Edition Jun 24, 2020
- Jun 17, 2020 This-Then-That: YA Contemporary Edition Jun 17, 2020
- Jun 10, 2020 This-Then-That: YA Fantasy Edition Jun 10, 2020
May 2020
- May 27, 2020 Reading Wonderland Interview: Piper Bee May 27, 2020
- May 20, 2020 Reading Wonderland Interview: Nancy Richardson Fischer May 20, 2020
- May 13, 2020 Reading Wonderland Interview: Rob Rufus May 13, 2020
- May 6, 2020 Reading Wonderland Interview: Lisa Brown Roberts May 6, 2020
April 2020
- Apr 29, 2020 Reading Wonderland: an Introduction Apr 29, 2020
- Apr 22, 2020 Quarantine: 37 Days Apr 22, 2020
March 2020
- Mar 31, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: Road Trip Wrap Up Mar 31, 2020
- Mar 25, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 8 Mar 25, 2020
- Mar 18, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 7 Mar 18, 2020
- Mar 11, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 6 Mar 11, 2020
February 2020
- Feb 29, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 5 Feb 29, 2020
- Feb 24, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 4 Feb 24, 2020
- Feb 19, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 3 Feb 19, 2020
- Feb 12, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 2 Feb 12, 2020
- Feb 4, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: Update No. 1 Feb 4, 2020
January 2020
- Jan 29, 2020 Indie Author Marketing: A Hope and A Dream Jan 29, 2020
- Jan 15, 2020 The Letters She Left Behind: It's here! Jan 15, 2020
December 2019
- Dec 18, 2019 The Letters She Left Behind: Character Interview Dec 18, 2019
- Dec 11, 2019 The Letters She Left Behind: Annotated Playlist Dec 11, 2019
October 2019
- Oct 16, 2019 Awesome Writer Spotlight: Mary E. Pearson (again) Oct 16, 2019
- Oct 7, 2019 The Bones of Who We Are: Gratitude Oct 7, 2019
September 2019
- Sep 30, 2019 The Bones of Who We Are: It's time. Sep 30, 2019
- Sep 16, 2019 The Bones of Who We Are: A Difficult Story Sep 16, 2019
- Sep 9, 2019 The Bones of Who We Are: Journey to Gabe Sep 9, 2019
July 2019
- Jul 8, 2019 The Bones of Who We Are: Aesthetic Jul 8, 2019
May 2019
- May 26, 2019 Time Away May 26, 2019
- May 20, 2019 Writing Inspiration: Music May 20, 2019
- May 13, 2019 Awesome Writer Spotlight: Mary E. Pearson May 13, 2019
- May 6, 2019 Happy Book Birthday: A Character Interview May 6, 2019
- May 1, 2019 The Letters She Left Behind PLAYLIST May 1, 2019
April 2019
- Apr 29, 2019 YA Author Series - Author Spotlight: Genevieve Jane Apr 29, 2019
- Apr 15, 2019 YA Author Series - Author Spotlight: M. Wednesday Apr 15, 2019
- Apr 8, 2019 YA Author Series - Author Spotlight: Leslie Arambula Apr 8, 2019
- Apr 1, 2019 YA Author Series - Author Spotlight: Alison Aldridge Apr 1, 2019
March 2019
- Mar 25, 2019 YA Author Series Launch: CL Walters Mar 25, 2019
- Mar 12, 2019 Book Mash-Up Fun Mar 12, 2019
- Mar 4, 2019 Snappy Dialogue in 3 Minutes Mar 4, 2019
February 2019
- Feb 25, 2019 Pacing the Narrative: A New Tool Feb 25, 2019
- Feb 18, 2019 Character and Conflict Part2: Motivation Feb 18, 2019
- Feb 11, 2019 Character and Conflict, part one: Types of Conflict Feb 11, 2019
- Feb 4, 2019 Point of View and Writing Feb 4, 2019
January 2019
- Jan 28, 2019 Off to Refill the Well . . . Jan 28, 2019
- Jan 21, 2019 Character-Driven or Plot Driven Narrative? Jan 21, 2019
- Jan 14, 2019 Character: Conversations Jan 14, 2019
December 2018
- Dec 3, 2018 The Ugly Truth: Cover Reveal and Playlist Dec 3, 2018
October 2018
- Oct 29, 2018 This Writer Reads Oct 29, 2018
- Oct 8, 2018 Empathy is Our Superpower! Oct 8, 2018
- Oct 4, 2018 The Writer Hoard Oct 4, 2018

The Bookworm Crush by Lisa Brown Roberts is the companion book to The Replacement Crush. Both are available at bookstores (I urge you to choose your local independent bookstore!)

Reading Wonderland Interview: Lisa Brown Roberts

May 6, 2020

Welcome! Welcome to the bottom of the rabbit hole. I will be your host as we tour this Reading Wonderland together. Here’s your magical elixir for the journey:

First stop, YA Romance and the adorable YA RomCom. As a genre, YA books (and truthfully, stories on the whole) are so much about identity and relationships, that a category of finding love and acceptance while discovering self is paramount. Our author on today’s blog, Lisa Brown Roberts, is a veteran writer with six titles to her name, the most recent being a RomCom called The Bookworm Crush that came out in 2019.

In The Bookworm Crush, Amy loves reading and books - especially romance novels - but she doesn’t see herself like the brave heroines she reads about. Toff, on the other hand, is an anti-reader, but an incredible surfer ready for the pro-circuit. When Toff rescues Amy from an adventure that perhaps is on the verge of going awry, Amy realizes he’s the perfect person to help her win a competition to meet her favorite author, because he is, after all, a winner. What Toff doesn’t realize, however, is that by agreeing to work with Amy, she’s going to push him to face some spaces in his own heart he’s been avoiding. Told in alternating perspectives shared by both Amy and Toff, readers get to go on a ride with them that is laugh-out-loud funny, gorgeously sweet, and wonderfully poignant leaving the reader satisfied and buoyant.

I’m so excited that Ms. Roberts agreed to be interviewed to dish about The Bookworm Crush among other things that make reading magical.

CL WALTERS: The Bookworm Crush, the companion novel The Replacement Crush (both YA RomComs), was released in 2019. What were one or two real-life experiences/observations/inspirations that contributed this story?

LISA BROWN ROBERTS: The Replacement Crush- I love bookstores (don't we all) and thought how fun it would be to essentially grow up in one, and work there recommending books and running a book club. It was fun to create that life for Vivian, the heroine. Vivian's mom (Rose) is an author/bookstore owner, and making her an author was pure selfish indulgence on my part. I gave Rose some of my own traits, and incorporated my son's embarrassment about how flaky I can be when I'm in the middle of writing a new book.

The Bookworm Crush - Instagram is my favorite social media space, and I really love bookstagram. Incorporating that into a novel was so much fun. I'm so thrilled with all the positive feedback I've received from book bloggers and bookstagrammers who loved that aspect of the story. I love all of the amazing bookstagram photos of this book, too! It's very "meta." :)

CLW: You already know that I adore Toff (and I know I am not alone in that swoony adoration); I have posted about him enough. Did you make a Pinterest board for his character and what other elements inspired this adorable prankster?

LBR: Ah, Toff...I had so much fun with him! My books are always created characters first, plot second. Toff just appeared fully formed in my mind when I wrote The Replacement Crush. Some characters reveal themselves more slowly to me, in layers, but he just *boomed* onto the page, ready to party!

It was hard not letting him take over The Replacement Crush. I knew I had to write his story and I was so happy that Entangled Teen wanted to publish it. I had to give Toff his first real romance, and Amy had crushed on him forever, so...happily ever after for them and for me as an author!

I think we all know those guys – the life of the party, the ones who bring the fun, who charm themselves out of trouble…I certainly crushed on more than one as a teen.

I do create Pinterest inspiration boards for each book. I keep them private until the book is published and then I make them public. Sometimes I continue to add to them after the book is out. The thing is, I love the idea of Pinterest, but I don’t have much time to use it as much as I’d like to.

CLW: The interesting Instagram/Bookstagram world is almost a character in this book. What were things you researched to flesh out this facet of The Bookworm Crush?

LBR: I started following the bookstagram world a couple of years ago and was astounded at the passion readers have! The #shelfies amaze me - so gorgeous and unlike my messy bookshelves. I love #BookfaceFriday and knew I had to incorporate that into the book (side note- I had to explain #BookfaceFriday to my editor since she'd never heard of it). Basically, I do a lot of stalking on bookworm accounts, but not in a creepy way. One of [the] best reader emails I've received was from a girl who was so inspired by Amy that she started her own bookstagram account. That made [me] so happy.

CLW: The Bookworm Crush is your sixth book (Congratulations!). Do you have a standout experience with a fan you’re willing to share?

LBR: My favorite part of being an author is interacting with readers. Social media is great, but meeting readers in person is fantastic. A couple of years ago, I attended a reader event in Atlanta that was mostly geared to adult romance readers. Lots of fun, but not much action in the YA author area, so I was thrilled when a sweet teen girl approached my table holding copies of all my books. She said she’d come to the event to meet me. Nothing tops that!

CLW: Do you have a favorite #otp (While #bonnieandclyde should make a list maybe a different one)?

LBR: Just like Amy in The Bookworm Crush, I love Lizzie and Darcy from Pride and Prejudice. I’ve written my own P&P retelling (like so many other authors) and hope to publish it someday. Barack and Michelle Obama are a real-life #otp for me, along with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Also, Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellan are a fabulous BFF #otp.

CLW: One of my favorite scenes in The Bookworm Crush is when Amy becomes the victim of an incapacitated Toff. Was there an event that inspired this particular scene or perhaps specific things that inspire your process in writing scenes filled with romantic tension?

LBR: I’m glad you liked that scene! It was added during the revision process with my editors. We cut one scene and needed another. I’m not really sure what inspired it, though I wanted a scene where Toff and Amy were “trapped” together, which this was. When I wrote it, I wasn’t sure if it worked. I couldn’t tell if it was funny or just weird. My editors loved it, so I trusted them, and hearing from readers that they like it, too, is a relief!

Writing the scenes with chemistry and romantic tension are my favorites. They usually grow organically from the characters. For instance, in the #BookfaceFriday scene, I knew Toff would be ridiculous and bossy and flirty, but I didn’t know exactly how until I started writing and he took over. Again. ☺

CLW: What is your favorite thing about being a writer?

LBR: I can’t pick just one!

Writing a first draft is my favorite part of the writing process. Actually, getting that “ah ha” feeling when I come up with an idea that I’m excited to write is my first favorite part, then capturing the feeling of the story and wrangling my characters into a draft is my second favorite part of the process. I turn off my internal editor for that first draft, and it’s so fun and freeing to write everything I want to. I worry about cutting later.

Opening my box of author copies is another highlight, especially after going through multiple rounds of revisions. Holding the finished book always causes happy tears.

Hearing from readers once the book is out in the world-that is the best. I love when readers see themselves in my stories, and find the characters relatable and real. Those are the highest compliments. Well, and when they fall for the love interests, too. That’s always good. ☺

CLW: Which specific authors or specific books - YA and otherwise - have inspired your own author’s journey?

LBR: Here are a few of the bigger influences:

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle – my favorite book as a kid, along with her nonfiction that I love as an adult.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, of course

All of Judy Blume’s books

Julie Anne Peter’s books. Julie was my first writing mentor, and she’s a brilliant author. Her books are fierce and brave. She was one of the first big LGBTQ authors in YA, and her book Luna, featuring a transitioning character, was nominated for a National Book Award. She’s also hilarious and kind, and she’s the reason I didn’t quit writing.

CLW: The theme is YA Romance. What books make your top-five list in no particular order?

Really tough to narrow down, but here are five of my favorites:

Tell Me Three Things by Julie Buxbaum

My Life Next Door by Huntley Fitzpatrick

An Enchantment of Ravens by Margaret Rogerson

Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen

The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee

CLW: What are you working on now?

LBR: This very moment, it’s hard to write because of COVID. My day job is super busy, and when I’m not doing that, I’m spending my time with my family trying to stay upbeat and getting sunshine as much as possible.

However, once I resume writing, I’ll get back to a couple of YA rom-coms that are in various stages of creation and revision.

CLW: Where can readers find you?

LBR: I’m most active on Instagram, semi-active on Facebook, and usually avoid Twitter, but pop on once in awhile ☺

Next Week: Rob Rufus and The Vinyl Underground