Wow! I’m so thrilled to share that I was able to interview the author of the book “Happily Ever Afters” and upcoming book “One True Loves”, Elise Bryant. I loved talking to Elise and I can’t wait to share the interview.
Before I get into the interview, I want to introduce you to Elise Bryant. For those who have never heard of Elise before, you’re in for a treat! She’s going to take over the YA Contemporary Fiction world, I believe. She’s if Nicola Yoon and Becky Albertalli had a child. Her writing is sweet, hilarious, comforting, and delicious. Every time I read Happily Ever Afters, I just wanted to curl up in my bed, sip hot coffee, and eat a dozen cupcakes!
Here’s our interview:
Hi Elise! I’m SO excited to interview you!
Question one: My first question is what inspired you to write Happily Ever Afters?
I took a lot of inspiration from my own life when writing Happily Ever Afters. I was a lot like Tessa as a teenager: really anxious and scared to share the love stories I wrote with anyone. I was in a creative writing program at an arts high school, just like Tessa, and I let those fears and my imposter syndrome totally paralyze me. I stopped writing fiction when I was sixteen and didn’t pick it up again until I was almost thirty. Through this book, I wanted to explore those insecurities that held me back because I believe they’re so universal.
Question two: What was it like writing during the pandemic?
I took a lot of inspiration from my own life when writing Happily Ever Afters. I was a lot like Tessa as a teenager: really anxious and scared to share the love stories I wrote with anyone. I was in a creative writing program at an arts high school, just like Tessa, and I let those fears and my imposter syndrome totally paralyze me. I stopped writing fiction when I was sixteen and didn’t pick it up again until I was almost thirty. Through this book, I wanted to explore those insecurities that held me back because I believe they’re so universal.
Question three: Ice Lolly Review is a combination of blogs, writing, poetry, etc. Have you ever written poetry before? If so, would you be willing to share where you got your inspiration from?
I used to write a lot of poetry when I was a teenager, but I haven’t tried my hand at it in awhile. I think it takes a lot of bravery and skill to communicate so much
in so little words!
Question four: In Happily Ever Afters, Tessa has writer's block. As a writer. I get writer's block so easily. Did this come from you having writer's block before? If so, what are your tips to break writer's block?
Yes, I’ve definitely had writer’s block before, and I’ve found that it usually stems from a couple things. Sometimes I let the voices and opinions of others into my head, and I can’t write because I’m too busy trying to anticipate what others might think of my writing. It’s so hard to be creative when than fear is there. And my writer’s block can also stem from me being tired and trying to force productivity when I really just need a break. I’ve found the best cure is to take time away, read lots of good books, and bring myself back to the joy writing and stories bring me – because that’s why I do this in the first place!
Question five: What's your go-to writing song/album? If you don't listen to music while you're writing, what artist/album/song are you obsessed with right now?
I can’t listen to music while I write. I usually prefer silence – or white noise if I’m trying to block out the sounds of my kids in another room. But my two biggest music inspirations are Taylor Swift and Jamila Woods! The song “Holy” by Jamila Woods and basically the entire Fearless album by Taylor Swift are the soundtrack to Happily Ever Afters.
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I want to give a round of applause to Elise Bryant and how amazing she is!!! Thank you so much for agreeing to do this interview, Elise! I’m so very excited to read your upcoming books and I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you!
Thank you for reading!
You can find Elise Bryant on social media!
Instagram: @elisembryant
And don’t forget to follow Ice Lolly Review on our socials!!!
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SaraJane Devereaux (Pronounced: Dev-Er-Row) is from Las Vegas, Nevada. SaraJane has a passion for reading and tends to read almost anything she can get her hands on. She has been making up stories for a long time, between telling stories with a pencil and paper or acting it out in front of her family, she's a storyteller at heart. Right now, SaraJane is focused on writing what her heart wants, but she wants to be a screenwriter as her career. She has been published on Blue Things Zine, Feed Us With Words, and SAST, just to name a few. She hopes that the world realizes that it's okay to still be obsessed with Hamilton in 2021.
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