Ask the Author: Robin Reardon
Answered Questions (14)
Robin Reardon
I find mysteries everywhere. When I learn about something new, I often include it in my stories. Examples: Intersex; synesthesia; Pagan rituals; physical disabilities; dog behavior; autism… the list is endless. My own life? Not so mysterious, Maybe this is one reason I write.
Robin Reardon
I'm so glad you enjoyed Taylor's story! Thank you for letting me know.
Until recently, all my books have been single stories, no sequels. Many readers have asked about sequels to one book or another, so you are not alone! My characters write their stories through me, and so far no one has let me know they have more to say.
If the focus on religious belief was of particular interest to you, you might enjoy AND IF I FALL and THROWING STONES. In fact, all my books have religious/spiritual themes running through them to one degree or another.
I'm currently working on the third in a series of three books. The series doesn't have the Christian religious theme of THINKING STRAIGHT, but there are decidedly spiritual components. You can check out my website (robinreardon.com) to see what the TRAILBLAZER series is all about.
Thanks again for letting me know you've enjoyed THINKING STRAIGHT. And whatever you read, keep reading!
Until recently, all my books have been single stories, no sequels. Many readers have asked about sequels to one book or another, so you are not alone! My characters write their stories through me, and so far no one has let me know they have more to say.
If the focus on religious belief was of particular interest to you, you might enjoy AND IF I FALL and THROWING STONES. In fact, all my books have religious/spiritual themes running through them to one degree or another.
I'm currently working on the third in a series of three books. The series doesn't have the Christian religious theme of THINKING STRAIGHT, but there are decidedly spiritual components. You can check out my website (robinreardon.com) to see what the TRAILBLAZER series is all about.
Thanks again for letting me know you've enjoyed THINKING STRAIGHT. And whatever you read, keep reading!
Robin Reardon
You know, I can't think of one. I've never really been into the fantasy genre. I like historical fiction, but I don't read fantasy. Didn't even watch Game of Thrones (I know; weird....). I enjoyed the film "Avatar," but I wouldn't want to live there. Guess I'm boringly happy where I am. :-)
Robin Reardon
Currently making my way through ABOUT US: Essays from the Disability Series of the New York Times. I'm preparing for my next novel, ON THE PRECIPICE (third book in my Trailblazer series), in which a major character will use a wheelchair.
Robin Reardon
Hello! It sounds like you're looking for a copy of a book I reviewed (The Trouble with Islam Today: A Muslim's Call for Reform in Her Faith). I'm not the author (that's Irshad Manji), and I read the paperback edition, so I don't have a pdf or other digital file of the book.
I don't know whether you're in the U.S. as I am, but here is the link to her book on the U.S. Amazon site:
https://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Islam-...
I hope you get a chance to read it. Thanks for your question!
I don't know whether you're in the U.S. as I am, but here is the link to her book on the U.S. Amazon site:
https://www.amazon.com/Trouble-Islam-...
I hope you get a chance to read it. Thanks for your question!
Robin Reardon
I opened my laptop to start work on my next novel. The laptop wouldn't boot!
Robin Reardon
Stephen -- Sounds like you might already know that reviews are like gold for the success of a book. Rather than see what arrangements we might make her (which might take a few messages back and forth), I'll message you directly and maybe we can work something out! Watch for a DM from me.
Robin Reardon
There's no doubt this question came from another author! From one of my favorite authors, in fact. And it's a fascinating question.
When I finished my first book, A SECRET EDGE, I thought I had written a book for the YA market. After all, before starting to write, I had decided that my fictional characters would be just like real teens. But my agent and my publisher both said, "No; this will go out to the adult market." At the time, I wondered about your point that perhaps there was just a little too much sex in the story for school libraries.
As it turned out, though, rather than being too much for the school librarian, the real-life quality appealed to older readers, and teenage readers found it on their own. So it was a canny decision that captured both markets for that and future books. And, yeah, it is kind of freeing.
In my heart, I write for teens and for the teenager in everyone. And, in fact, I'm almost ready to announce the release date for my next book, THROWING STONES. You heard it here first!
When I finished my first book, A SECRET EDGE, I thought I had written a book for the YA market. After all, before starting to write, I had decided that my fictional characters would be just like real teens. But my agent and my publisher both said, "No; this will go out to the adult market." At the time, I wondered about your point that perhaps there was just a little too much sex in the story for school libraries.
As it turned out, though, rather than being too much for the school librarian, the real-life quality appealed to older readers, and teenage readers found it on their own. So it was a canny decision that captured both markets for that and future books. And, yeah, it is kind of freeing.
In my heart, I write for teens and for the teenager in everyone. And, in fact, I'm almost ready to announce the release date for my next book, THROWING STONES. You heard it here first!
Robin Reardon
Gino -- Great idea! Yes, I'm delighted to have my Goodreads friends and followers know that you're working on a movie script for my novel, THINKING STRAIGHT. I do hope any Facebook users here will "like" that page. I was planning on an announcement as soon as the Indiegogo crowdsourcing effort was available, and I'll certainly post a blog entry when that's ready. Meanwhile, I'm happy that you scooped me. ;-)
Robin Reardon
Danny -- I'm delighted you discovered them! And in terms of wishing material like my books had been available to you as a teen, I've had several people say the same thing. If only it had been possible to publish stories like these years ago! I'll take the progress; I just wish it hadn't been necessary.
My goal is to write stories about people. "And -- oh, by the way, not that it matters, but some of them happen to be gay." One day, I truly hope, the response would be, "So ... what's your point?"
My goal is to write stories about people. "And -- oh, by the way, not that it matters, but some of them happen to be gay." One day, I truly hope, the response would be, "So ... what's your point?"
Robin Reardon
Great question. The answer is rather complex, but I’ll do my best to explain. Once I began to take writing seriously, which meant I devoted time and effort to refining my craft, I realized very quickly that my best fiction-writing voice is that of a teenager. Whenever I tried to write in a more adult style in my exercises, it came off as either pedantic (yuck!) or a little too melodramatic. But then it occurred to me: who are the most melodramatic people we know? Teens, of course. Everything is always the most important thing in the world, or it’s “whatever.” And I love that teens between 15 and 17, depending on the person, tend to bounce between “I have everything figured out, and adults know nothing” and “I’m stupid and unimportant, I don’t know anything about anything, and nothing in my life is working.” That dovetails nicely with melodrama.
The next part of the question is why gay teens. As an author, I think the most enthralling stories to write are those where there is emotional conflict, and the cognitive disconnect between what science and human compassion tell us about sexual orientation/identity and the stubborn refusal of those who say, “My mind’s made up; don’t trouble me with facts” is fertile ground for stories. I’ve had many gay friends throughout my life, men and women, and some of the ways in which they’ve been treated by people who won’t open their minds have horrified me enough for me to have done some research into the subject. Add into that mix the fact that while the percentage of people who are gay is probably not higher than 10%, about 33% of teen suicides are teens who are gay or who were bullied because they were believed to be gay.
I write about gay boys for two reasons: 1. I was a real tomboy as a kid, and I had three brothers. 2. I’m not gay myself, so as a woman, I know what it feels like to want a man. A lesbian friend once asked me if I would ever write about lesbian teens, and all I could say was that I’ll need to be a better writer first so I can put myself in that mindset.
Sorry this is so lengthy, but I hope it gives you a little insight into my work. Thanks so much for asking. Keep reading!
The next part of the question is why gay teens. As an author, I think the most enthralling stories to write are those where there is emotional conflict, and the cognitive disconnect between what science and human compassion tell us about sexual orientation/identity and the stubborn refusal of those who say, “My mind’s made up; don’t trouble me with facts” is fertile ground for stories. I’ve had many gay friends throughout my life, men and women, and some of the ways in which they’ve been treated by people who won’t open their minds have horrified me enough for me to have done some research into the subject. Add into that mix the fact that while the percentage of people who are gay is probably not higher than 10%, about 33% of teen suicides are teens who are gay or who were bullied because they were believed to be gay.
I write about gay boys for two reasons: 1. I was a real tomboy as a kid, and I had three brothers. 2. I’m not gay myself, so as a woman, I know what it feels like to want a man. A lesbian friend once asked me if I would ever write about lesbian teens, and all I could say was that I’ll need to be a better writer first so I can put myself in that mindset.
Sorry this is so lengthy, but I hope it gives you a little insight into my work. Thanks so much for asking. Keep reading!
Robin Reardon
Write. Just that: write. It's often said, "Write what you know." But the question is, "What do you know?" I'm a straight woman. If I took that tired advice at face value, I wouldn't have written successful novels about gay teenage boys.
So here's what I know. I know a lot about being a teenager (and remember it perhaps a little too vividly). I had three brothers; no gay ones, but teenage boys are not a mystery to me. There is a lot of injustice in the world, and I've had so many gay friends that this injustice affects me on their behalf. I know a little something about human relationships. And I know I'm a writer.
So. What do you know?
So here's what I know. I know a lot about being a teenager (and remember it perhaps a little too vividly). I had three brothers; no gay ones, but teenage boys are not a mystery to me. There is a lot of injustice in the world, and I've had so many gay friends that this injustice affects me on their behalf. I know a little something about human relationships. And I know I'm a writer.
So. What do you know?
Robin Reardon
Readers. Seriously.
Perhaps it's because of my topic (I write about gay teens), but I receive some very, very poignant emails. When someone says that they've learned something from my books, or that the stories have helped them in some way, it's extremely motivating. It's encouraging. It's validating.
Perhaps it's because of my topic (I write about gay teens), but I receive some very, very poignant emails. When someone says that they've learned something from my books, or that the stories have helped them in some way, it's extremely motivating. It's encouraging. It's validating.
Robin Reardon
I don't think I've ever had true writer's block. I go through periods where I don't write much, but once I sit down to write, three hours seem to go by in thirty minutes.
Sometimes I read back to myself what I've written and realize it's not going to work, so I delete it (or save it someplace else in case it proves useful later). The key, for me, is just to keep writing.
Sometimes I read back to myself what I've written and realize it's not going to work, so I delete it (or save it someplace else in case it proves useful later). The key, for me, is just to keep writing.
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