I’m still adjusting to having my books out in the world, where they will be consumed and analyzed. My sophomore book became available on NetGalley before my debut even hit shelves, so there was no tiptoeing into the shallow end of reader feedback. However, it’s been less jarring than I expected, largely because reviews, DMs, and feedback have provided thoughtful insights. As a recovering English major, there’s nothing that gives me greater joy than dissecting literary themes, so to have others analyze my work? Well, that’s a bucket list item I never knew I had.
Also, there have been reviews that have helped me realize things about myself. I don’t write autobiographically, but it’s impossible to exclude my soul from my words. Sometimes being a writer requires therapy, but sometimes it is therapy.
I was recently invited to a book club that was discussing The Truth Is in the Detours, and it was fascinating. They asked such smart questions that made me think about my characters in new ways. The crux of the questions boiled down to which mistakes were forgivable and which characters were redeemable. There was an attendee who was holding a bit of a grudge against one of my characters for the consequences of a decision that I hadn’t considered their worst crime. Perspective, personal triggers, and life experience all play a role in how readers receive characters, and I think that’s amazing.
The questions they asked drove home how much this theme emerges in all the books I write—namely, how flawed can a family, a character, or a relationship be and still be salvageable?
You’ll see this theme in Detours and in the upcoming The Epicenter of Forever, where it’s perhaps more pronounced. My main character is struggling to understand the motives of a loved one and trying desperately to forgive and heal. Sometimes I don’t have the answer at the outset (I’m a pantser), and my sole purpose in writing is to wrestle with these questions myself. I try to create a closed loop in which we discover why, and it’s up to the other characters (or readers) to decide whether the lies, betrayals, or bad judgment are forgivable. But the answer will be different for everyone, and that’s okay. I’m not trying to tie everything into a perfect bow as the writer, but I do try to write a ribbon that’s long enough to do so.
My books are marketed as Book Club fiction because I embed subplots about dysfunctional families and messy lives, but most readers categorize them as romance because the romantic relationship is typically the most prominent. A lot of that comes down to how I’ve experienced life. I find that all of the things happen all at once, and external relationships and challenges impact how we approach romantic connections—and vice versa.
But I follow the conventions of romance. I believe in the contract with readers of the happily ever after. While lives don’t stop after the ending of a book and there will be continuing challenges, an HEA requires the protagonist to find the person who chooses to be a source of happiness for them, whether the ever after is filled with joy, grief, laughter, or tears. Most of the time, life encompasses all of the above, and the real win is finding someone to hold your hand through it all.
An early reader recently shared their review of The Epicenter of Forever with me, and their summary has really stuck with me because it encapsulates what I hope to convey in my writing—and in life, honestly. “The characters are flawed, but beautiful, and the hurts are real, but forgivable. This novel is life in all its messy glory and the joy that can be found in the midst of it all.”
This revelation about my own books prompted me to consider the overarching themes in other authors’ writing. If you are an author, what is the one question you’re always asking in your manuscripts, poems, or short stories? Is there a theme that haunts you—and your characters? Is it conscious or subconscious? Do you feel like you can close the loop and answer it definitively, or are all major questions inherently open-ended? If the answers are simple, can they power a whole book—or several?
Out Now
I had a great time speaking with Sophia Chang about busting publishing myths, and was shocked to hear her say that breaking into publishing is harder than breaking into Hollywood—especially since she has experience in both notoriously challenging industries. You can view the podcast here. And follow Sophia here.
On my calendar
This month, I am so excited to sit down with Alicia Thompson and gush about her writing, her books, and one of my favorite weekly Substacks. We’re doing an event in Sacramento on Saturday, October 25th at Wild Sisters Book Co. More info to come. If you’re in the area, I would love to see you!
On Tuesday, November 18th at 6:30 PM, I’ll be speaking at the Kiss & Tell Literary Saloon at Books, Inc. in Alameda, CA. More info soon. But if you’re local, please stop by.
Giveaway
There’s a Goodreads Giveaway now through October 10th for five signed copies of The Truth Is in the Detours. You can sign up here.
Take care of yourselves.
xo,
Mara
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Save The Truth Is in the Detours and The Epicenter of Forever to Goodreads
I am definitely going to have to chat with you about pantsing next time! We are a rare breed.
“The characters are flawed, but beautiful, and the hurts are real, but forgivable. This novel is life in all its messy glory and the joy that can be found in the midst of it all.” -- This is exactly it. 🧡