Ask the Author: Robin Reul
Answered Questions (10)
Robin Reul
At the time I started writing WTRLU, my father passed away, my son was graduating college and my daughter was getting ready to apply. It made us all deeply examine the parts of our lives we can and cannot control. I started thinking a lot about the insane pressures of having to feel like you are expected to have your life all figured out at such an early age let alone while navigating grief and other people’s expectations or ideas of who you should be. I’d always wanted to write an all-in-one-night story (not a surprise since BEFORE SUNRISE is one of my favorite films EVER) and so the idea of two teens at their own emotional crossroads taking a road trip together to take control of their destinies evolved from there.
Robin Reul
Hi Dory! I am currently working on a new book that will hopefully be coming out sometime in 2019!
Robin Reul
Hi! That is, unfortunately, not entirely up to me. Alas. I do have the idea for one percolating, but at this point there are no plans for one to be published at this time.
Robin Reul
Hi Wendy! I draw my inspiration for my books from a variety of sources. Because characters usually come to me before story, they are often drawn from real life, whether it be people I have known or the essence of an experience I have had in which the takeaway left an impression on my life in some way. I am also often inspired by great books and films similar to what I am working on at that time, particularly great characters and dialogue, and will read and watch everything I can get my hands on to help generate ideas and also to make sure I'm not duplicating something that already exists.
Robin Reul
Although the book is about the unusual friendship that develops between these two teens as a result of a promposal that's gone dreadfully wrong, at the core it is really a story about love and loss and helping others find light in the darkness. I wanted to write a story that shows teens that just because we make mistakes, or we are broken in some way, it does not mean that we should give up on seeking out that light and retaining hope. Also, that the people and events of our past do not have to define us.
Robin Reul
I love to read, so if I have an idea I like to try and read every book I can that is similar, both for inspiration and to ensure that I am not duplicating something that has already been done. Though no idea is wholly original, it sucks to come up with a great scene or character arc, only to discover it already exists. *I KNOW THIS FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE!!!!* *sigh*
Robin Reul
I am currently working on a couple of different projects simultaneously. I can't say much more at this juncture, but they are both young adult contemporary novels!
Robin Reul
Comparison is the thief of joy. True story. There will always be others who seem to move faster down the path and with greater ease and fanfare. Do not feel discouraged, or second guess yourself, or, above all, give up. Everyone's journey is different. You have to stay the course, keep focused on what you want, and work every day to make it happen.
Robin Reul
It's one of the few times in life where you can hear voices in your head and nobody thinks you need medical attention. But seriously, I love being able to slip into the skin of different characters with lives completely different than my own and escape into his/her world.
Robin Reul
I find that being outside in nature, whether it be in my backyard or taking a walk around the block, often helps me sort out my thoughts and more often than not will come up with something that helps me gets unstuck.
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