Again, But Better(119)

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www.abowlofbookishness.com/authorinterviews?1french-watermelon



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AUTHOR INTERVIEW WEDNESDAY

with FrenchWatermelon19


Posted January 24, 2017 by Dani aka A Bowl of Bookishness



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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sixteen-year-old Dani is president of her high school’s creative writing club and an aspiring author.



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Who’s FrenchWatermelon19, you ask? The alias of bestselling author of Flailing Through the Freefall, Shane Primaveri. The sequel hit stores this week (thank god because I was dying to read it), and I had the opportunity to interview her after her signing event here in New York! (I couldn’t make it before the event started when she was doing longer interviews because school … uuugh.) If you don’t already know, Shane started out as a blogger! She worked for Seventeen magazine for three years, and then she worked as an editor at the Packed! For Travel! NYC headquarters for three more years while she worked on her duology.

The bookstore was packed yesterday. It was an especially special event for her because she’s from New York. I got to meet her boyfriend afterward (heart-eyes, more on this later), and her parents were there, and, like, ten cousins that look kinda like her. I only recognized Leo because he’s always on her Instagram. Her mom and dad actually went to the front of the room halfway through the event and used her microphone to give a little speech about how proud they were. Shane cried. She was wearing a black blazer over a pretty red dress that poofs out at the waist with that same silver locket she always has around her neck.

After a fun round of Q&A and a signing, she was nice enough to stay after and talk to me! I was given fifteen minutes. Enjoy!





So how does it feel to be done with this duology?


Amazing! Scary! I never thought this would really happen and … I’m so grateful and excited for everyone to finish the story. It’s so close to my heart.


You seemed really emotional earlier. Did you know your parents were coming tonight?


(She laughs.) Yes! I invited them, but I wasn’t expecting a speech. We’ve gone through some stuff, and we’re closer now because of it.





At this point she politely asked if she could run to the bathroom (she hadn’t been able to go for hours). Her boyfriend came over as she stood, kissed her, and reminded her that he made reservations somewhere. She smiled and whispered something in his ear. He was dressed all nice in a red button-up shirt to match her. He’s got ruffled light-brownish hair. Shane slipped off to the bathroom, and he sat in her seat and smiled at me.

Him: Hi!

Me: Hi?

Him: I’m here to entertain you while Shane’s in the bathroom. So, you’re a blogger?

Me: Yeah, Shane’s my favorite author! I already finished book two. I stayed up all night the day it came out.

Him: That’s amazing. I did too when she finally let me read it.

Me: (giggles) Are you a writer too? Did you work with her at Packed!?

Him: No, I make music, produce it, and write stuff with new artists.

Me: Oh! That’s cool. Does that mean, are you—? Are you obsessed with the Beatles like Ian in the book?

Him: I mean—

(He shrugs and pulls a weird, fat, wooden-doll version of John Lennon from his pocket, grinning like a little kid with a toy, and shakes it. It rattles like there is something inside it.) Him: Oh, she’s coming.

(He grins again and stuffs the doll back in his pocket before he hops up. Shane shoots him a bemused look before sitting back in the chair. He leans against the wall, watching. I put my interview face back on.)





Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?


Keep going no matter how dark things seem. You’ll get there!


click to continue reading





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“Are we there yet?” I ask again.

“Relax, Primaveri. I’ve got you.”

I laugh, squeezing Pilot’s arm excitedly. “Okay, I’m relaxed! Can you give me a hint…? Have you finally managed to meet Taylor Swift at work? Are we doubling with her tonight?”

“Yep, you caught me. It’s eleven p.m. on a Wednesday night, and we’re headed to Taylor’s apartment.”

I snort, tripping over my feet a bit. “Which reminds me, we’re having dinner with Leo and Jared next Friday.”

“Sounds good! We have a Taboo score to settle. We shouldn’t have left things all tied up last time. Is Jared cooking again?”

“He is. I am freaking pumped.”

“Amazing.”

I stumble and Pilot’s arm tightens around me. “Careful. We’re coming up on steps.” I step up. “Keep stepping,” he prompts. “Okay, stop. Now just walk.”

A door opens, and the air warms as we step inside. Pilot lets go of me, and I tense up for a few moments.

“Can’t see here, Pies,” I remind him.

I feel him return to my side. “Okay,” he breathes. He loosens the blindfold, and it slides down, settling around my neck.

I blink a few times, my eyes adjusting to the light. Lots of lights. Fairy lights, an endless array of them, are strung up everywhere. It takes me a second to see anything else. “Whoa,” I breathe.