TBR [to be read] is a semi-regular, invitation-only interview series with authors of newly released/forthcoming, interesting books who will tell us about their new work as well as offer tips on writing, stories about the publishing biz, and from time to time, a recipe
Give us your elevator pitch: what’s your book about in 2-3 sentences?
Isla Logan's history teacher Morgan Young is arrested for
conspiring to take down the dictator that rules over the United States. The
arrest sets off a chain of events that will lead to Isla, her fellow refugees
from the U.S., and their allies partaking in the fight of – and for – their
lives.
Which character did you most enjoy creating? Why? And, which
character gave you the most trouble, and why?
This is such a hard question. Different characters were fun to
write at different points, and for different reasons. Zoe’s voice was awesome
to develop, while I really enjoyed writing Isla’s story arc. As for the
character that gave me the most trouble, that was probably Adam, for reasons
you’ll have to read the book to find out!
Tell us a bit about the highs and lows of your book’s road to publication.
The high was working with Jaded Ibis Press. They were so thorough
in the editing process (I’m not ashamed to say the initial manuscript needed a
lot of editing, as first drafts almost always do) and I love working with a
press that has the same values as I do. The lowest low for this book was the
same as the last few books I’ve worked on – imposter syndrome. I have a
hard time seeing my own writing as worthy of publication, even if I think it’s
a story worth telling. I think a lot of writers, especially young writers, feel
this way.
What’s your
favorite piece of writing advice?
“Write what you know.” A lot of people I’ve spoken to dislike
this advice because they interpret it as only being able to write characters
exactly like them in situations they’ve experienced in real life. But I
interpret it as, write stories based on what you care about. In this case, I’ve
never been in a situation like the characters in Until We Fall experience, but
I find American political history fascinating and pulled from my knowledge of
that.
My favorite writing advice is “write until something surprises
you.” What surprised you in the writing of this book?
My characters sometimes get away from me, so it’s always
surprising how the story changes as I write. I’ll be writing a character one
way, and then it’s almost like they’ll tell me they need to be written another
way, if that makes sense. They’re never stagnant in my head.
What’s
something about your book that you want readers to know?
It’s important to me that these characters be diverse, that they
come from marginalized communities, and that they’re stronger for it. So often
I see cis white people from privileged backgrounds star as the protagonists of
a dystopia, like in Divergent or The Fifth Wave. If a totalitarian government
were to take over, the first people targeted wouldn’t be the Tris Priors of the
world, even if she was divergent.
Inquiring foodies and hungry book clubs want to know: Any
food/s associated with your book?
N/A. Sorry, foodies!
*****
READ MORE ABOUT THIS AUTHOR: https://nicolezelniker.com/
ORDER THIS BOOK FOR
YOUR TBR STACK: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/until-we-fall-nicole-zelniker/1139740533?ean=9781938841996
WATCH A TIKTOK VIDEO ABOUT THIS BOOK: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZMdTJA8X3/