What was the hardest part of writing Love in the Friend Zone?
The most difficult part of writing Love in the Friend Zone was definitely the time-frame. In this series, all the character’s storylines take place either right before or during the epic grad night party. That is a huge challenge in creating an entire backstory, as well as an entertaining enough plot to fill an entire book. Ultimately, I found a balance and rhythm with the characters, and discovered it was quite fun attending this crazy party with them!
How many rewrites do you go through before you get to the final draft?
The first draft always comes out the fastest for me because I just let the story out. I don’t worry about pacing or editing or the mechanics. I let the characters dictate where we go. Then in the subsequent drafts, I add and cut and shape and mold it until it meets its much shinier end product. That can take anywhere between three to four takes depending on the book.
What book or books have had a strong influence on you or your writing?
This is always such a hard question! SO many books have influenced my writing style, and it never ends. Each book I read—whether it is young adult fantasy, contemporary, or adult paranormal—I learn something from it. That is one of the best things about being an author, there is always room for improving your craft. Of course, the books that I re-read constantly—J K Rowling’s Harry Potter series, anything by Kimberly Derting or Molly McAdams, and most recently Sarah J Maas’ books—are always pushing me to be better. Being inspired by great works is what keeps me fighting to take what I know and push it to the next level.
If you could introduce Braylen to any character from another book, who would it be and why?
I’m so in love with this question! I would love for her to meet Kate from the wickedly talented Cindi Madsen’s OPERATION PROM DATE. I think Braylen and Kate would totally get along, shipping couples and obsessing over fandoms together. In my mind, they end up sharing a dorm together freshman year of college and Cooper and Fynn are fast friends because of the love they have for their girls! :)
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating Fynn?
Fynn was such a fun character to write because his one flaw is being haplessly blind to what he really wants. I think that can be super relatable, even to those of us outside of high school. Sometimes it’s easier to let our desires, or what we think we want, be manipulated by what is expected of us. Watching Fynn slowly come to terms with what his heart was screaming at him all along was a great process, and just like in real life, having that moment of revelation in his self-discovery was a rush!
Other than writing what are you passionate about?
My family, of course, is my first response. I have two toddlers that keep me hopping from sunup to sundown. My husband is an amazing supporter of my author aspirations, so he’s in there, too! My bulldog, just because she’s the coolest dog ever, lol. But if we’re talking outside the family, I’m totally obsessed with the Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, and Deadpool. Friends of mine might say I get a little too passionate when discussing theories in these fandoms!
When you walk into a book store, where do you head to first?
Lately it’s been the children’s book section because I never feel guilty about getting my babies more books! After that I’ll head straight for young adult fantasy and soak up all the awesome. Then I’ll pop over to contemporary romance, wave to all the friends I know, and grab some knew ones :) Then I usually take a gander at the journals…because you can’t ever have TOO many of those, right?
You're hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? ( alive or dead)
This is so incredibly hard. Just five? Can’t this dinner party turn into like an event where we rent out an entire restaurant? No? Okay, well...
J.K Rowling. I’m not sure if I need to explain why she’s the first on the list but to sum it up…she’s brilliant and the intricacies in her writing never cease to amaze and inspire me.
Edgar Allan Poe, because the first time I read The Tell-Tale Heart as a young child it stuck with me. I devoured more of his works because of that and I remembered thinking how awesome it was that a story could still tickle your brain days, months, even years later. Plus, I think he’d be wicked cool to have a chat with.
Stephan King, because his novel, On Writing, is one of the best craft books I’ve ever read. I tend to flip back through its pages when in need of a little motivation. It’s simple, direct, and engaging. I’d like to thank him for taking the time out of an incredibly busy schedule to pen those tips down for hopefuls like me!
Beatrix Potter, because Peter Rabbit was the first book I ever remember being read to me. And it’s one I remember reading myself once I learned. It was the book that made me fall in love with reading. I’ve read all her books to my children as well, so her work has a very special place in my heart. I’d seat her next to Poe in the hopes that together they’d come up with a dark yet fun Ravenesque picture book.
William Shakespeare, because it would be wonderful for him to settle all the debates that were never agreed upon in my Shakespeare class in college LOL. Plus, I’d love to pick his brain about how he created some of the most memorable villains ever, and ask him how he made creating works that dealt with such universal yet intricate topics look so easy.
Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?
Thank you. I know that is a given but I’m constantly in awe of this wonderful book community! Readers are seriously the best, and I know I’ll never be able to thank you all enough. You are what breathes life into my characters. You are the lifeblood of my stories. I couldn’t do what I love without you, and that’s why I always thank you first and last and always.
LOVE IN THE FRIEND ZONE by Molly E. Lee
Release Date 8/14
Published by Entangled Teen
YA Contemporary
Barnes and Noble / Amazon / Goodreads
The only thing worse than not being able to tell your best friend you’re head over heels in love with him? Having to smile and nod when he enlists your help to ensnare the girl of his dreams. Braylen didn’t even want to go to Lennon Pryor’s epic graduation-night party, but when Fynn begs her to be his “wingwoman,” she can’t deny him. Talking up her BFF—how he’s magic behind a camera, with a killer sense of humor and eyelashes that frame the most gorgeous blue eyes in the history of forever—is easy. Supporting his efforts to woo someone so completely wrong for him? Not so much. Fynn knows that grad night is his last shot before leaving for college to find true love. And thanks to Bray, he gets his chance with the beautiful Katy Evans. But over the course of the coolest party of their high school careers, he starts to see that perhaps what he really wants has been in front of him all along. Bray’s been his best friend since kindergarten, though, and he’d rather have her in his life as a friend than not at all.
Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains one epic party, complete with every high-schoolers-gone-bad shenanigan, and two best friends whose sexual chemistry is off the charts…if only they’d succumb to it.
About the Author:
Website:http://www.mollyelee.com Twitter: @MollyELee
