What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?
My main character, Lily, came to me in 2019, and it was her backstory—the 1996 narrative in the book—that first started growing in my head. At the time, I was working on a completely different book in a different genre altogether. A few months later, I was taking a class on novel outlining with the plan of working on the other book, and on the first day, the instructor gave a prompt, and I immediately dove in and wrote a scene from the middle of Unraveling. That’s when I knew Lily wasn’t going to leave me alone until I wrote her story.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be? (Meant to be fun. Skip if you need to!)
I don’t know if I could pick theme songs for my characters, but I definitely have a playlist for the book that includes songs matching the mood, as well as a bunch of songs I pictured my characters listening to in the ’90s chapters. You can listen to it here: https://bit.ly/4bgRc3q
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I read across a lot of genres, including literary fiction, mystery, thrillers, historical fiction, magical realism, speculative fiction, and many more. I tend to be drawn to books with female or other marginalized perspectives, especially if they illustrate some aspect of what it means to move through the world with those perspectives and experiences. Right now, I’m particularly into horror, especially horror that blends other genres or offers commentary on society or current events.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
The Simp by Rohan Sethi
The Reformatory by Tananarive Due (I highly recommend The Between or The Good House by her; if you meant Soul to Keep, that title is by Brandon Massey.)
Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman
Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell
The Eyes Are the Best Part by Monika Kim
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
The scene in the bookstore was one of the hardest to write because it’s so pivotal to the story, but it ended up being one of my favorites, and I’m so glad I set it in a real place that I really love.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I have to have a bit of white noise and nothing else when I’m writing. I’m too neurospicy to listen to music and write at the same time!
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
I try to practice curiosity and empathy instead of judgment. Even when we can’t understand someone’s experience, we can choose to believe them and take their feelings at face value.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
I’d love for my characters to be remembered because I love (most of) them.