We’re excited to have Lisa Schroeder join us to share more about her latest novel ALL WE HAVE IS NOW.
Lisa, what scene was really hard for you to write and why, and is that the one of which you are most proud? Or is there another scene you particularly love?
I wrote and rewrote the ending. It was hard. I didn’t know what to do. I knew what I wanted to do but I worried people wouldn’t like it. And yet, when I tried to do the thing people would expect, I couldn’t do it. I don’t want to give anything away, obviously, but in the end, I had to follow my heart. My YA novels are often popular with middle school students, and when I thought of them reading this book, the ending I went with seemed right. As far as the scene I love, there’s a scene where the characters dance to a French song in a little cafe where they eat macarons and drink tea. It’s very me, I think that’s why I probably love it.
What did this book teach you about writing or about yourself?
The entire time I was writing this book, I kept thinking how weird it was. Weird as in, different. I wasn’t sure it would be published, but I finished it because I wanted to see what happened. It was very much like my first YA novel, I HEART YOU, YOU HAUNT ME, which published way back in 2008. With both books, as I wrote them, I worried about being too different. And yet, I’m reminded once again that different isn’t bad. And that you just never know, and so you have to keep writing, for yourself first and because you’re enjoying it.
What do you hope readers will take away from ALL WE HAVE IS NOW?
First and foremost, I simply hope they take away an interesting, unique story. In today’s crowded marketplace, I think it can be tough to find storylines that are new and different, and although there may have been lots of end-of-world stories published up until now, I feel like mine is not one you’ve seen a bunch of times. After that, maybe that kindness goes a long way and it’s something that’s not at all difficult to pass around to others.
What advice would you most like to pass along to other writers?
Don’t be afraid to fail. It’s scary putting your work out there, I know, but so many writers hold back because of that fear, and there is so much they might be missing. Your failures will make the successes feel that much sweeter. And while they can and do hurt, I don’t think they hurt as much as the regret you might feel later, wondering what might have been.
ABOUT THE BOOK
All We Have Is Now
by Lisa Schroeder
Hardcover
Point
Released 7/28/2015
What do you do with your last day on earth?
Just over twenty-four hours are left until an asteroid strikes North America, and for Emerson and everyone else who didn’t leave, the world will end. But Emerson’s world already ended when she ran away from home. Since then, she has lived on the streets, relying on her wits and on her friend Vince to help her find places to sleep and food to eat.
The city’s quieter now that most people are gone, and no one seems to know what to do as the end approaches. But then Emerson and Vince meet Carl, who tells them he has been granting people’s wishes — and gives them his wallet full of money.
Suddenly, this last day seems full of possibility. Emerson and Vince can grant a lot of wishes in one last day — maybe even their own.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lisa Schroeder is the author of more than a dozen books for kids and teens. Her latest young adult novel is ALL WE HAVE IS NOW, and the latest novel for 8-12 year olds is MY SECRET GUIDE TO PARIS. She lives in Oregon where she spends her time reading, writing, baking yummy treats, and hiking with her family.
Have you had a chance to read ALL WE HAVE IS NOW yet? Do you ever worry that what you’re writing is too different for the market? Have you let fear of failure hold you back?
Happy reading,
Jocelyn, Shelly, Martina, Erin, Lisa, Susan, Jen, Sam, Lindsey, Sandra, Kristin, and Anisaa
