Between Love, Loss, and Survival: Emma Pei Yin’s When Sleeping Women Wake, book review + Q&A with the author

 

Book:  When Sleeping Women Wake

Author: Emma Pei Yin

Pages: 336

Available format: hardcover

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨

Genre: Asian Lit, War, Women's Fiction, Historical Fiction

disclaimer: you'll find a special Q&A with the author at the end of the review (feel free to skip over to that if you want)

Synopsis:

In this remarkable and harrowing debut novel, three extraordinary women—a mother, her daughter, and their maid—are each forced on a journey to survival during the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong in World War II.

1941. Following the Japanese invasion of Shanghai, the wealthy Tang family has settled in Hong Kong, believing it to be protected under British occupation. As the First Wife of the family, Mingzhu leads a glamorous, if at times lonely, existence—mothering the son of her husband’s concubine, overseeing her daughter Qiang’s education, and directing their household of servants, including her long-time confidante, Biyu.

But when the Japanese invade Hong Kong, the three women’s paths wildly diverge. Although Mingzhu’s affinity for languages spares her from physical labor, she finds herself coerced to either work for the enemy or face certain death. Qiang and Biyu scrape through days of factory work and meager food supplies, constantly on the run from newly unfolding dangers until an encounter with the East River Column Resistance fighters separates them. The longer these women become embroiled in the brutal occupation that engulfs the region, the more determined they are to resist—but can they support the resistance and still find their way back to each other?

At once monumental and intimate, When Sleeping Women Wake powerfully explores how ordinary people are capable of extraordinary things, and the unwavering hope that love can carry us through even the darkest of times.

Review:

Emma Pei Yin’s When Sleeping Women Wake is the kind of historical fiction that seeps under your skin and refuses to let go. Set against the brutal backdrop of Japanese-occupied China during WWII, this novel doesn’t just recount history—it makes you feel it, breathe it, and grieve it.

What struck me the most is how the book doesn’t rely on a single perspective. Instead, it weaves together the voices of three unforgettable women—Mingzhu, Biyu, and Qiang—each caught in the impossible crossfires of war, yet each battling completely different inner wars of their own. Mingzhu’s struggle between love and loyalty, Biyu’s tug-of-war between freedom and duty, and Qiang’s fight between tradition and individuality made the narrative layered, raw, and painfully human. I loved how distinct their dilemmas were, yet they tied together seamlessly in showing the multifaceted ways women bore the burdens of war.

Another thing that hit me hard—and honestly made me tear up—was how Emma Pei Yin doesn’t just focus on the children orphaned by war and occupation, but also on the parents who lost their babies. That double lens of grief feels so rare in historical fiction, and it makes the heartbreak all the more complete. It’s not just about what war takes away, but who it leaves behind to keep living with that loss.

But perhaps one of my absolute favorite things about this book is that it not only tells but also shows, with haunting clarity, that there are innocent people on both sides of a war. Pei Yin carefully unravels how ethnicity should never be the sole reason for hatred, disgust, or blanket judgment. The novel reminds us that generalization is never the solution—it only perpetuates cycles of pain and prejudice. In that sense, When Sleeping Women Wake feels like both a historical reckoning and a timely lesson for our present day.

And if I’m being honest, part of why this book feels so close to me is because I see bits of myself in all three women. Mingzhu’s yearning for a pure, soft love, Biyu’s longing for freedom and the chance to discover who she is when she’s not tied to anyone else, and Qiang’s fierce disdain for marriage coupled with her search for individuality and camaraderie—each of those threads resonated in a deeply personal way. But most of all, what connected them, and what I related to most, was their shared hunger to be seen not just as women but as whole, separate human beings. Human beings who are just as capable, resilient, and worthy as any man.

This is one of those books that makes you ache, makes you reflect, and makes you want to hold onto the humanity in others even tighter. It’s beautifully devastating, and it’s going to stay with me for a long, long time.

Q/A

Before we begin, I would like to say a big thank you to Emma for taking some time out and answering all my questions while she's busy with the Asia tour right now. Love you Emma!!!

Q. First of all, congratulations for introducing your fist literary child to the word!! As a debut author, what advice would you give to other writers—especially women of color—trying to break into publishing?

Never be afraid to ask questions and especially to ask for what you want.

Q. What was the first spark that inspired you to write When Sleeping Women Wake—was it history, a character, or something more personal?

The seeds of the novel was planted long before I realised I wanted to write the book. It began when I used to spend mid-autumn festival and lunar new year in Hong Kong with my family. During those days, my grandfather would tell me stories of the Japanese occupation in Hong Kong.

Q. The novel follows three women with very different circumstances. How did you develop Mingzhu, Qiang, and Biyu into such distinct yet interconnected voices?

Mingzhu is a character that has been with me for over a decade. Every character has traits and personalities derived from women I know in my everyday life. Like my grandmother, my aunt and my mum.

Q. Why did you choose the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong as the backdrop for your debut novel?

It was a means to reconnect to my own family history and to discover new truths I had not yet learned.

Q. Many war novels center men at the frontlines, but your book places women at the heart of survival and resistance. Was this a conscious decision to reclaim women’s narratives in history?

Absolutely. I also cannot fathom ever writing a book where all the main characters are men. Women's voices are constantly erased or rewritten by men - and it's down to us to keep talking and sharing stories so that these voices don't get lost.

Q. Which of the three women do you personally feel closest to, and why?

For me, it would Qiang. I am most like her. In the way we both stand up to what we want and are never afraid to ask questions. I feel that many of Qiang's hopes are my own. Of course, I wasn't always like this.

Q. You weave in themes of loyalty, morality, and survival—sometimes with no “right” choice available. How did you approach writing those morally gray decisions?

The entire world is grey. Everything we do leans left or right and will always be seen as right or wrong depending on who is looking in. Life is messy. There's no benefit in writing characters any other way. It would be a lie.

Q. What kind of research went into building the historical detail? Did you draw on family stories, archives, or oral histories? Any books you read specifically for writing this beauty?

The research took many years. This book took over a decade to finalize and I think one of the biggest challenges to unearthing women's voices in history is that there's so very few accounts recorded. I found so much on the experiences of white people during the occupation and what happened to them. I definitely drew on family stories but also made sure to read as many history books as I could while researching archives online. One book I always recommend is The Rape of Nanking by Iris Chang.

Q. Was there a scene that was especially difficult for you to write emotionally?

Most scenes were difficult to write because we're exploring themes of race, class and gender. These are all topical issues we still face today and so writing becomes an act of mirroring real life situations or experiences. It's never easy.

Q. On the flip side, was there a scene that gave you joy or a sense of catharsis while writing?

The very last sentence on the very last page.

Q. You’re also an editor and mentor for other writers. How did that editorial eye help (or complicate!) the process of finishing your own debut?

It didn't help at all. I can't edit my own work to save my life. I'm too close to the story and so I always seek the help of another editor.

Q. The title When Sleeping Women Wake is so striking and fitting for the book and the characters. How did you land on it, and what does it mean to you?

It's always been one of my favourite proverbs growing up and the title didn't come to me until quite late into the writing process. To me, it means that women are capable and strong and that nothing can get our way, even if sometimes we forget our strength.

Q. If your novel had a soundtrack, what three songs would definitely make the playlist?

I have made a playlist on Spotify! The first 3 on there were on constant repeat while I was writing and editing the book.

(you can find Emma's playlist here)

Q. A fun question before I ask the last one, if you could have tea with any of your characters, who would it be, and what’s the first thing you’d ask them?

It would be Qiang and I would ask: What's next for you? What life do you want to live?

Q. What's next for Emma Pei Yin as a writer? And what do you hope readers carry with them after finishing When Sleeping Women Wake?

I don't expect too much from readers other than the hope they go away from the book with a small sense of hope. I'm currently working on my next novel and can't wait to share it with you and the rest of the world.

What happened after the last post? The Haunting Side of Internet Influencers: Q/A with Liann Zhang, debut author of Julie Chan Is Dead

Title: Julie Chan Is Dead

Author: Liann Zhang

Number of Pages: 320

Publishing Date:  29 April 2025

Available Format: hardcover paperback kindle

Genre: Asian Representation, Young-Adult, Murder mystery, Thriller

Review:

In a world obsessed with curated perfection, Liann Zhang dares to ask: what’s really hiding behind the feed?

Liann Zhang is the mind behind Julie Chan Is Dead, a debut thriller that’s as razor-sharp as it is unsettling. With a background steeped in storytelling that blends psychological tension and cultural insight, Zhang brings a fresh, bold voice to the genre. Her work pulls you in with the glittering lure of social media glamour — and then rips the façade away to expose the dark secrets lurking underneath. With biting wit and nerve-shredding tension, Zhang crafts a story about a young woman who slips into her twin’s glittering, influencer-perfect life — only to find herself tangled in something far more dangerous than she ever imagined.

In Julie Chan Is Dead, we meet Julie, a supermarket cashier who steps into the life of her late twin sister Chloe — a famous influencer whose perfect online persona hides more than anyone ever realized. What begins as a daring reinvention quickly spirals into a deadly game of deception, secrets, and survival. Set against the glossy, high-stakes world of influencer culture, Zhang's novel is a chilling exploration of identity, envy, and the dangers hidden behind the filters.

In today’s Q&A, Liann Zhang opens up about crafting this twisted tale, how she tackled writing about influencer culture, her inspirations, her love of messy, complicated characters, and why Julie Chan Is Dead feels terrifyingly real in an era when image is everything, how this is much more than just a thriller — it’s a story about the masks we wear, online and off.

Q. This book is your debut—congratulations! What has surprised you the most about the publishing process?

A. Thank you! Honestly, I don't think a lot has surprised me, and it's only because I've read so many articles and forum posts about what surprised other authors, that anything that should have surprised me, I already know about. If that makes sense. But I'm incredibly grateful for all the fellow debut authors who I've been able to connect to during this exciting time, and the resounding support of readers everywhere!

Q. What inspired you to write Julie Chan Is Dead, and how did you come up with such a thrilling and unique premise?

A. I think a lot of JULIE CHAN had been brewing in my brain for a long while. I just wasn't sure how to put it all together! These crazy hijinks from influencers are based off many things I've seen during my years of being chronically online, and I'm sure other people who have spent a lot of time scrolling would recognize them too. Some parts from the latter half of the novel, was directly inspired by a brand trip I saw a lot of influencers go on near the tail-end of COVID. It was crazy to see so many people suffering from the pandemic, then going online to see a bunch of rich, famous, beautiful and already privileged influencers go on a private island retreat. When I watched those videos, I always thought about how we only get to see a small sliver of what they do on these influencer getaways... what happens during the hours they don't film?

Q. The book dives deep into the influencer world. What kind of research did you do to capture the glitz, glam, and underlying darkness of this lifestyle?

A. I honestly didn't have to do much research. All of the glitz and glamour are things I've seen with my own eyes through vlogs. It was a pretty simple process to put what I've watched into words--mostly, because I've just seen so much of it! So many influencers out there openly showing their luxurious life. Parts of some dynamics and scenes were also influenced by my own experience during my short time as a content creator on Instagram. I had the pleasure of attending a few events then. 

Q. Julie and Chloe are such distinct yet intertwined characters. What was the most challenging part of writing their dynamic?

A. I think the most challenging part was finding a way to show Chloe's POV in the book. It's hard since, you know, she's dead! I had to get clever with how I showed her thoughts through the novel. Especially the side of Chloe she didn't share on the internet.

Q. The island retreat and the people there feel like a whole another story in itself. How did you craft such an atmospheric and tense setting all while adding some of the least discussed & controversial topics?

I think putting all the characters on a isolated island inherently creates tension in the setting itself. The reader knows they are stuck there, without escape. (Uh oh!) The characters become incredibly insulated, which would lead to more drama and tension, and things to pop off. In a way, the island retreat could mirror anonymous group chats, where the girls are able to speak their mind, and do silly things, without the rest of the world watching on. It's curious to see what people might say, think, or do when they know other people aren't watching, and when they are surrounded by yes-(wo)men. The worst parts of them might come alive, y'know? Then those controversial topics just come out naturally.

Q. The story touches on themes of identity, envy, and privilege. Was there a particular message you wanted readers to take away?

A. At the end of the day, all societal structure is rooted in privilege, which goes hand-in-hand with race, class, etc. You can't change what type of environment you're born into, but you can certainly acknowledge it in a fair way. And I think as consumers of media, we need to be more critical of what we are supporting/consuming. We need to really think about who these people are, what are their true intentions, and just really critically analyze Why and What and WHO we are listening to.

Q. What was your favorite scene to write, and which scene kept you awake at night, thinking, ‘How am I going to pull this off?

There's a particular scene in the second half that I was super excited to write. The scene is mostly intact from the original, and while I wasn't kept awake from thinking how I would pull it off, I was more concerned about the reception. I know some people might not gel with what's shown, but I also sincerely believe that the girls that get it, get it, and those are the people I'm writing for!! I am so grateful to the people who are receptive to that scene. Our brains work in similar ways!!

Q. Julie’s journey is filled with morally gray decisions. How do you, as the creator, feel about her choices?

A. I think Julie, is in part, wish fulfilment. I mean, don't we all want to be a vapid, rich, privileged influencer some days? I think she's sometimes a mirror version of myself, if I existed with less empathy and zero concern of consequences ahaha. But sometimes, her shamelessness also makes her admirable. 

Q. Are there any authors, books, or media that influenced your writing style or inspired this novel?

A. Yellowface by RF Kuang came out while I was writing the book. The positive way it was received really empowered me to believe in Julie, and to write a character that might be disliked and controversial. I was also influenced by Bunny by Mona Awad, and the girl-cult. Similarly, movies like Midsommar, Triangle of Sadness, The Menu, and Yellow Jackets are totally my speed and helped inspire some elements of the book. In terms of writing style/voice, a lot of it is my own, in the way that a lot of the way I speak is directly influenced by online/Tik Tok lingo. So, I should probably also acknowledge that. A lot of my sense of humor is directly absorbed from my time online. It's built my personality!

Q. Without giving too much away, do you have plans for more stories in this world, or are you working on something new? Can you give us a hint?

A. I don't plan to continue Julie's story. But I am working on a new horror novel! It's a modern day re-telling of a famous Chinese horror story. :) I'm also brainstorming a new novel that's tangentially related to the influencer world, but not influencers perse. I've had enough of them!

A desi take on Jane Austen's Persuasion, "Yours, Eventually" by Nura Maznavi + Q&A with the author

Title: Yours, Eventually 

Author: Nura Maznavi 

Number of Pages: 400

Publishing Date:18 February 2025

Available formats: paperback kindle

Genre: Romance, Asian Literature, Young-Adult, Re-telling

Synopsis:

A mesmerizing debut novel set in a tightly knit Pakistani American community where a young doctor gets an unexpected second chance with the first love she never got over when he becomes one of the most eligible bachelors in town.

The Ibrahim family is facing a crucial moment: Their patriarch just lost his fortune as the result of a Ponzi scheme, and the family is picking up the pieces. At the family’s core is Asma—successful doctor and the long-suffering middle daughter who stepped into the family center after the death of her beloved mother years ago. Despite what the prying aunties think, Asma is living the life she has always wanted, fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming a doctor . . . or so she thinks.

In walks Farooq Waheed, Asma’s college sweetheart whose proposal was cruelly rejected by Asma’s aunt and father. Now, eight years later, Farooq has made his fortune by selling his Silicon Valley startup and is widely considered one of the most eligible bachelors in California. As he enters Asma’s social orbit, she finds herself navigating a tricky landscape—her pushy sisters, gossiping aunties, and her father’s expectations—on her path to reconciling the past and winning Farooq back in the present. If there is still time. 

Yours, Eventually is a story about a young woman finding the courage to follow her heart and coming to the realization that living your life according to what other people think is no life at all.

Review:

Let me just say this upfront—Yours, Eventually is a total chef’s kiss of a retelling. Imagine Jane Austen’s Persuasion but set in a vibrant, tightly knit Pakistani American community, complete with all the auntie gossip, cultural expectations, and one deliciously awkward reunion between old flames. Nura Maznavi has absolutely nailed it with this debut novel.

Asma Ibrahim is the kind of protagonist you root for from page one. She’s the dutiful middle daughter, the glue holding her family together after a financial disaster shakes their world. On paper, she’s living the dream: she’s a doctor, respected in her community, and totally “put together” (according to those meddling aunties). But beneath it all, there’s this ache—the kind that comes from making life decisions based on other people’s expectations.

Enter Farooq Waheed, the one who got away. Well, actually, the one who was pushed away thanks to Asma’s family rejecting his college proposal years ago. Now, Farooq’s back, richer, more handsome, and armed with an energy that screams “I’ve moved on”—but you just know he hasn’t. The tension between these two is thick, especially as Asma realizes she’s never stopped loving him.

What makes this book shine is how Nura captures all the layers of South Asian family dynamics. From the meddling siblings to the judgmental whispers of the auntie brigade, it’s all so hilariously relatable. But it’s not just drama for drama’s sake—there’s so much heart here. Asma’s journey of self-discovery is powerful, as she learns to put her own happiness first, even if it means challenging the expectations of her father and community.

And Farooq? Oh, he’s a dream. He’s charming without being over-the-top, successful yet grounded, and the way he still carries a torch for Asma is just the right balance of swoony and heartbreaking. Their reunion is filled with just the right amount of tension, angst, and longing. Every glance, every conversation is loaded, and you’ll find yourself yelling at them to just talk it out already!!!

The community setting adds so much depth to the story. Maznavi brings the Pakistani American experience to life with vivid details-the food, the family gatherings, the relentless matchmaking. It's all so rich and immersive, and you'll feel like you're right there in the middle of it all. At its heart, Yours, Eventually is about second chances-not just in love, but in life. It's about finding the courage to follow your heart, even when the world around you has different ideas. It's hopeful, emotional, and deeply satisfying. If you're a fan of Austen, South Asian lit, or just love a good slow-burn romance with all the feels, this one's for you.

By the end, you'll be smiling, swooning, and maybe a little hungry for a cup of chai. Honestly, Nura Maznavi has arrived, and I can't wait to see what she does net!

Q&A WITH NURA MAZNAVI

Q1. Yours, Eventually reimagines Persuasion through a distinctly Pakistani American lens. What inspired you to take on Jane Austen’s work, and how did you balance staying true to the original while making it your own?

Nura: I first read Pride and Prejudice in high school and loved everything about the world Jane Austen created. It felt so familiar to me and South Asian American Muslim community in which I was raised, especially the themes of love, family and community. I took a Jane Austen class in college and read the rest of her novels - Persuasion was my favorite, I thought it was the most romantic of all her books. It also struck me well that it lent itself to a modern adaptation in my community. I personally knew people whose relationships didn’t work out because of parental disapproval. Family plays such a huge role in our search for a partner and I wanted to tell that story. 

Q2. Asma and Farooq’s second-chance romance feels layered with cultural expectations, personal growth and desire. How did you approach crafting their dynamic and weaving in those challenges?

Nura: I took a lot of inspiration from the characters in Persuasion. I rooted for Anne Elliot in Persuasion because I felt her heartbreak, but I also wanted her to be a bit more assertive. I knew Asma had to have professional success to contrast her role and the weight of responsibility she had in her family. I also wanted to show how we sometimes see ourselves so differently at work compared to within our family and community. Since Sine this was set in the San Francisco Bay Area, I knew Farooq had to be a startup hundred millionaire who was kicked to the curb as a college dropout. 

Q3. The Ibrahim family adds such richness to the story, from the meddling aunties to the fiercely loyal sisters. Were any of these characters or dynamics drawn from your own life or community?

Nura: I think there’s a little bit of me and everyone I know in all the characters! I grew up in a large South Asian and Arab Muslim community in Southern California where there’s constant interaction with all sorts of different people. What I really wanted to show in the book is that none of us are one-dimensional – even the meddling aunties! 

Q4. Adapting a beloved classic can be daunting. What were the biggest challenges in reworking Persuasion into "Yours, Eventually", and what aspects of the novel felt the most rewarding to write?

Nura: I think the biggest challenge is that in Jane Austen’s time there was a lot of room and opportunities for missed communication and delayed information. That’s not the case here – we get info (gossip!) within seconds via text. So there were some scenes where I had to figure out a creative way for Asma to miss that gossip. I think the most rewarding (and fun) scenes to write were between Farooq and Asma and seeing them slowly reconnect.

Q5. Your background as an attorney and editor is fascinating. How do these experiences shape the way you approach storytelling, especially in a novel that balances romance with social critique?

Nura: I don’t like reading books where I feel like the author is trying explicitly to teach me something or preach culture or religion – my goal is to write a compelling story and let the story and characters speak for themselves. 

Q6. The novel blends Austen’s timeless themes of love and regret with the cultural nuances of South Asian identity. How did you ensure the story resonated with both South Asian readers and a wider audience?

Nura: There’s the old adage that you should write specific to write universal and I think that’s the case here. Love is a universal emotion and love stories have a way of connecting people across cultures and faiths because it’s something we can all relate to. 

Q7. Asma’s journey highlights the tension between societal pressures and personal happiness. What do you hope readers—especially women in similar situations—take away from her story?

Nura: I think there’s a fine line you have to balance living in a close-knit community and enjoying the support that comes along with it without being suffocated. I hope readers can see how it’s possible to figure out yourself and what you want while tuning out the noise of what everyone else thinks and might say. 

Q8. You’ve previously co-edited anthologies featuring Muslim love stories. How did that experience influence your approach to writing "Yours, Eventually", and what drew you to retelling a classic novel?

Nura: The process of putting together Love InshAllah really expanded my understanding of how young American Muslims meet for marriage. Family and community usually plays a role and I wanted to dig into that in this story and Persuasion seemed the best vehicle to do so.

Q9. What advice would you offer to writers, particularly those from underrepresented communities, who want to reimagine beloved classics or tell stories rooted in their cultural heritage?

Nura: Keep going! I talk to so many people who are interested in writing a novel. There’s no timeline – if this is something you want to do, keep writing until you get there.

Q10. Can you share what’s next for you? Are there more retellings, anthologies, or other projects in the works?

Nura: I’m working on my next novel which is about a type-A overachiever whose life spirals out of her control two weeks before her wedding.

ARC Review: Fading Stars by Marisa Kazwey + Q&A with the author

 

Title: Fading Stars

Author: Marisa Kazawey

Number of Pages: 428

Publishing Date: 20 August 2024

Genre: Mental Health, Young-Adult

TW: scenes of heavy Bullying, mmc deals with depression and suicidal thoughts, S.A, self-harm, school shooting

Synopsis:

Stars hold the power to rewrite a destiny.

Neveah lives for them, counting down the days until the awe-inspiring return of Halley's Comet. At 16, she dreams of becoming an astrophysicist, her passion ignited by her grandmother who had passed away.

Yohan, on the other hand, is a shadow of his former self. Once a good kid, he became withdrawn and distant after a tragic event. Yohan grapples with guilt and a deep-seated desire for redemption, even contemplating ending his own life.

Their worlds collide when Neveah forms a club. Under the watchful eye of the returning comet, an unlikely connection blossoms between them. Together, Neveah and Yohan embark on a healing journey, discovering that sometimes, the light of one star can illuminate the darkest of paths.

But what do you do when the stars start to fade.

Review:

Fading Stars is a poignant and powerful novel that delves into the complexities of human relationships, physical and mental health, and the resilience of the human spirit.

I have read books about mental health and school clubs multiple times before, book clubs? yes, seen that been there. Poetry Club? that too. Sports Club? Even read about Creative Writing Club that was actually a cult.... But never would I have ever imagined coming across a book about a girl trying her utmost best to form an astronomy club with her friends by her side, even though for her the stars are slowly but gradually fading away.

Through Neveah's passion for stars and astrophysics, and Yohan's journey towards redemption, Marisa masterfully explores the themes of hope, healing, and the interconnectedness of our lives. The characters are multidimensional and relatable, making it easy to become invested in their stories.

The writing is evocative and engaging, with vivid descriptions of the night sky and the symbolism of the stars. Marisa tackles heavy topics such as bullying, depression, and suicidal thoughts with sensitivity and care, providing a thoughtful and realistic portrayal of these issues.

One of the strengths of this book is its ability to balance light and darkness, offering a message of hope and resilience without shying away from the complexities of life. The connection between Neveah and Yohan is authentic and heartwarming, and their journey together is a testament to the power of human connection. 

The family and parents in this book play a big role in the formation of Neveah and Yohan's personalities. From Yohan going back into the spiral of depression to Neveah slowly but surely getting crushed under the burden of always trying to be the bright light of everyone's life. The expectations and hopes of the family are quite significant and are shown in a beautiful way. 

Overall, Fading Stars is a beautiful and impactful novel that will resonate with readers of all ages. If you're looking for a story that will touch your heart and inspire you to look up at the stars, this is the book for you.

Q&A with Marisa

Q1. How did you create the world of “Fading Stars” and what inspired the setting and atmosphere of the book?

Marisa: Ok, so this is how it went down. I was like I want to write one of those sad books like a really sad book, I want ideas. But I don’t want to watch a ton of movies to strike an idea. So, I went on internet, went on Wattpad looked up bunch of blurbs. I felt like if I’d find a blurb that is inspiring enough, maybe, I will have an idea instead of watching movies. I had a blurb, and the blurb was about this girl she’s an astronomer and she’s been studying this certain event for all of her life, but she died of cancer and was not able to see the event that she studied all her life. She meets a homeless painter, and she would buy a painting out of him and then she'll take him under her wing. They fall in love and everything. And before she dies, he will describe to her the event that she’s been studying her entire life. And I was like, Oh ohh…. And when it comes to the vibes of the book, I wanted it to be very dreamy, like every bit of fantasy, the stars and everything. I wanted it to be like those anime movies, like Your Name, Suzume, and Weathering With You. I really wanted my book to give those vibes. I kind of nailed it. It’s not really fantasy, it’s weird but there like magic like specially, in the end with the red strings that connects to one and other. Say to have connections with stars, and I really wanted to have this poetry kind of vibe as well, like with the lines I kept prettying from time to time and the big paragraphs that I would use differently.

Q2. How did you develop the supporting characters in the book, like Fred and Sol?

Marisa: Basically, I read this book called story genius, I forgot who wrote it. I have this very complex character sheet, that I have to complete for my characters. The main characters have their own, but the side characters have them too. Basically, before diving into the story, I need to come up with the back story, how do I deal with the way they are, their families. Their MBTI, their misbeliefs as well and what’s their own agenda. The characters in my book are not like here, to serve the main characters. They are just like us, like if I was the main character of my story. I don’t expect my friends to benefit me, they’re just there to do what they want to do, and it might, benefit me. This is how I wrote them, I just created their backstories first, to determine their entire personality. It might or might not benefit the purpose of the main character but that’s how I got it to be a bit realistic as you know they are not always in the favor, as they are their own beings.

Q3. How did you approach writing the scenes that deal with heavy topics like bullying, depression, and suicidal thoughts? What considerations did you keep in mind?

Marisa: When I was writing my series of heavy topics, you have to know that a lot of research have been made. I was on YouTube, on Quora, on Reddit. I wanted to make it as realistic as possible, whenever I was writing any scene, in my mind I was like, I don’t want it to be too much, I don’t want it to be too little and I want it to be as relatable as possible. And for that to happen I just had to make a bunch of research. Like everything that happens to Elliot, happened to someone in real life. I went to Quora and Reddit and asked there, what was the worst thing that a bully did to them and just copied and pasted what they told me, so whatever Elliot went through, all of it is something that someone went through in real life. That’s why it looked as realistic as it could be, as I just took people’s experiences and put it into Elliot’s life. Because I didn’t really want to make up anything, because I never experienced it myself. I was kind of depressed too. There was a lot of depressing stuff out there, it was crazy. *laughs* So, yeah this is how I did it, by putting real people’s real experience in there. When it comes to Yohan’s state of mind, that was really difficult. Yohan was the hardest character to write, it was really complex. I really hope that I managed to convey right emotions through him.

Q4. What do you hope readers take away from Neveah’s passion for astrophysics and her dreams of becoming an astrophysicist?

Marisa: I want my readers to know, that your passion can become your everything, it’s just beautiful to see somebody who loves something so so much and I just wanted to share it with people, I think that people should share their hobbies. Because they never know that who they will save or who they will inspire. This woman inspires so many people and she is so happy, specially with her grandmother. I just think it’s very important how you can inspire so many people and your passion can be a reason behind it.

Q5. How did you balance the lighter moments in the book with the heavier themes and scenes?

Marisa: I literally was like, when I was writing, there were many balancing moments, like okay this one chapter was really sad and now there should be one chapter happy, there was like a lot of balance that I tried to maintain and than there was Kayla, and I thought that when Kayla is here, we should be happy. And for Yohan’s chapters he was always really gloomy, especially when there was Neveah around as she was very bright and hopeful. Kayla will be there with Nevaeh. Yohan is like a sad sad sad character and Nevaeh and Yohan balance each other out.

But after things with Atlas, things become dark for Nevaeh, and Yohan is there to help her cope. There weren’t many sad sad moments until the very end of the book. I made sure that the book felt bittersweet, we had good we had bad, in every chapter. Or we had extremely bad and then we had extremely good moments.

Besides that I tried to outline all of my chapters way ahead of writing, so that I will have balanced out the happy and soul crushing things. But still I think that there was more and more soul crushing scenes compared to the happy parts.

I also used the happy parts to kind of disguise the sad, like when there was something sad that made me think that this can be suspicious to the readers, I added something happy next.

Q6. What do you think sets “Fading Stars” apart from other books in the same genre?

Marisa: I think what really sets Fading Stars apart from other books in the same genre, is that it’s something that you will not get to read everyday. I think that my book is kind of unique, like it’s not the average bad boy falling for the bad girl kind of book and I think that it’s also different because it’s realistic.

I don’t sell fantasy and I don’t sell your regular romance story. I am out here writing things that are real to you guys, that people actually go through. And I know that there a not many authors that will do that. I don’t use the really typical things, people getting cancer and all. The sadness doesn’t come from, external events. Like, oh someone lost someone or someone lost some part of themselves.

It's all about the emotions, the emotions of my characters. I don’t sell tropes, or events happening in the book, it's the emotions and what my characters are felling all the time. That’s what makes the readers feel the same emotions and relate to the characters. Through out the book I really paid most of my attention towards conveying the correct emotions.

Emotion, principles, but not the tropes, I didn’t really think about tropes until I was done writing it. I really just wrote for the book based on the emotions, and how much characters feel about it and what should I do about it. So yeah, It’s really emotion driven and action driven.

Q7. The unlikely connection between Neveah and Yohan is a central aspect of the story. What do you hope readers take away from their relationship and the power of human connection?

Marisa: I believe that human connection is everything, which is one of the messages that I tried to put down in the book. I don’t really know, it’s quite difficult to explain but, I think that people need somebody to in their lives, by their sides. They should really allow others to be their support, let people in, to let them heal you.

Q8. What message or hope do you want readers to take away from “Fading Stars”, particularly those who may be struggling with similar issues as Yohan or Neveah?

Marisa: They have a very complex relationship. One of the very first things I kept in mind while writing the dynamics, was that “the sunshine always saves the grumpy" was not something that I wanted to be there. The sunshine can help the other character in many other ways and not just through bringing them joy and light. Yohan’s past is really dark, for other people it might not be as dark. They might need someone like Neveah, somebody to enter their lives and change it. Lonely people need someone who’ll be there for them and show them the light.

Q9. How do you balance writing about heavy topics with the need to create a hopeful and uplifting narrative?

Marisa: I feel like there’s heavy topics and then a lot of other stuff. The topic is heavy but the way you address it doesn’t have to be heavy. I manage it through the conversations, the way Yohan tells his story to Neveah, the way that Naveah has while addressing it, how he’s going to talk about it. So, while writing the conversations, I try to use words that are not to heavy. They way that the characters bring thing up, the way they talk about it, sometimes they are hurtful words, heart breaking sentences but sometimes they are uplifting because the change of the perspectives could be different.

Q10. What’s next for you in terms of writing projects or upcoming books, any plans for a sequel or continuation of Fading Stars?

Marisa: Fading Stars is stand-alone. But currently I’m writing a series of 2 to 3 books, I don’t really know what I can say in the 3rd book, but it could be very nice. Not really sure about the third book but the first 2 books are done, like the first drafts of both books. It’s about – should I really say what’s it about – I will just tell the dedications for now, the principal idea of book 1 is that the scars of the past shouldn’t keep you from falling completely and utterly in love with someone, book 2 will be for the people whose hearts hurts so much they couldn’t breathe, it's a happy story it's very beautiful.

(bonus question)

Who did you invision while writing these characters, who are your fan-casts?

Marisa: When it comes to the fan cast I really have no idea…. But I think Navia Robinson as Naveah, Tristan Pravong as Yohan, Armani Jackson as Fred, Isabel Merced as Sol, Alex Sampson as Atlas, Theo James as Mr. Callahan (Atlas’s dad) and Daniel Henney as Mr. Young (Yohan’s dad) will be a perfect fan cast.