Carry On (Simon Snow, #1)

by Rainbow Rowell

If you’ve read my book Fangirl, you know that Simon Snow began as a fictional character in that novel. A fictional-fictional character. Kind of an amalgam and descendant of a hundred other fictional Chosen Ones. In Fangirl, Simon is the hero of a series of children’s adventure novels written by Gemma T. Leslie—and the subject of much fanfiction written by the main character, Cath. When I finished that book, I was able to let go of Cath and her boyfriend, Levi, and their world. I felt like I was finished with their story … But I couldn’t let go of Simon. I’d written so much about him through these other voices, and I kept thinking about what I’d do with him if he were in my story, instead of Cath’s or Gemma’s. What would I do with Simon Snow? What would I do with Baz? And Agatha? And Penny? I’ve read and loved so many magical Chosen One stories—how would I write my own? That’s what Carry On is.