The Interview

1. First things first, the question that is always essential to any interview. It quickly became evident that I Might Be in Trouble is quite a departure from your previous novels. What inspired you to tell the unfortunate and often humorous story of David?

After publishing my first two YA novels, I knew I wanted to dive into the world of adult fiction. Everything I write tends to come from a deeply personal place, and David’s story allowed me to be vulnerable and honest in a whole new way. I Might Be in Trouble was inspired by my own experiences of pursuing my writing dreams, grappling with self-doubt, and navigating heartbreak and loneliness—and I found it incredibly cathartic to write about a character who’s going through the same struggles as I once did.

2. While I Might Be in Trouble is humorous regularly, it also has some deep and thought-provoking moments. What was it like balancing the two in the same story?

I definitely think of this book as a comedy, first and foremost—but it was super important to me to also bring emotional depth to the story. I wanted readers to laugh at the ridiculous situations David and Stacey find themselves in, at the same time that we ask why they find themselves in these positions. I wanted to explore the circumstances that have shaped them, and part of that meant digging into David’s deeply personal struggles, which have left him feeling shaky in every aspect of his life.

Through all the laughter and chaos, I Might Be in Trouble takes us on a journey of self-acceptance with this character, which I hope readers everywhere will be able to relate to.

3. While the overarching story has bits of humor throughout, you do not shy away from exploring the concept of fleeting happiness. Whether it be fleeting success or fleeting love, there is a constant looming reminder that everything can be taken away, whether over time, overnight, or even in a single moment. You went as far as to dedicate this book to those who are familiar with getting something they really wanted and then losing it. What inspired you to explore this theme, especially in a story about waking up next to a dead body?

As I’ve grown older, I’ve become more aware of how ephemeral everything can be. In my second book, Brighter Than the Sun, there’s an exchange between the main character and her grandma where the grandmother says, “Nothing worth having in life is permanent.” And the protagonist replies, “But I wish it was.”

I suppose this sentiment stuck with me, as I Might Be in Trouble was partly inspired by it—the sadness of having a good friend, and then seeing them move to a different city. The pain of ending what was once a happy relationship. The difficulties of having your dreams come true and realizing they’re not necessarily what you expected they would be. So many of us experience these little disappointments as we enter adulthood, but we don’t talk about them enough, which can leave us feeling isolated. I hope this book will serve as a conversation starter and a reminder to anyone who reads it that growing older can be tough—and that it’s okay if you’re struggling, because we all go through similar challenges.

4. David is a writer. What inspired you to make him a writer? If you had to give him another occupation to struggle with through this ordeal, what would have been your second choice?

From the very beginning, I wanted David to be a reflection of me—something I tend to do when craft the main characters in my books—and part of this involved allowing him to experience all the ups and downs that a career in publishing can bring, as this has been a major part of my life over the past few years. 

Looking back, if I had to give him a different occupation, perhaps he could’ve been a musician or an actor—but it would’ve been necessary all along for him to be in a creative field, since I wanted to discuss the unique issues that those of us pursuing artistic careers encounter: the pressures of reaching (and maintaining) success, the fear of failure, and the anxieties of creating something worth sharing with wide audiences. 

5. The process for every novel can be different. Please give us some insight into your average writing day and how your process may have changed (or was similar) when writing I Might Be in Trouble.

My writing routine has evolved a lot over the years. I wrote my first novel while working a full-time job, so I became used to late-night writing sessions. But by the time I started working on I Might Be in Trouble, I realized I needed a healthier routine that didn’t involve going to bed at an unreasonable hour every single night.

Now, I spend my mornings exercising, reading, or catching up on administrative work, and I usually start writing by 11 a.m. Most days, I’ll write until 6 or 7 p.m., but when I’m on deadline I can go much later. It all depends on my energy level and the amount of work I need to get done! 

6. Last but not least, do you have any words of wisdom for those experiencing a period in their life where everything feels like it’s going wrong?

What I would say is: It won’t be like this forever. It’s interesting for me to look back now and think about the fact that I first came up with the idea for I Might Be in Trouble when I was at my lowest—it was the early months of the pandemic, and I was feeling lonely, frustrated, and anxious about the future. This book has allowed me to make sense of all those emotions, and writing it has turned out to be the most joyful experience of my writing career so far.

I Might Be in Trouble taught me that it’s possible to turn bad things into positive ones. And I hope it’ll serve as a reminder to readers that we are never truly alone. Whether it be in the form of a trusted family member, an old friend, a work colleague, or a movie or book that speaks to our heart, there is comfort and companionship to be found even in unexpected places—if only we allow ourselves to see it.