LET’S
WELCOME
N.N. BRITT
AUTHOR
OF:
Rad-Reader: What made you want to tell this story?
N.N.:
Rqd-Reader: Let me just say that this grief that you read which is real as it gets is just a small touch of what is real in a family member's life. Normal grief there is no such animal this type of awful act brings on a new animal altogether.
Rad-Reader: I know this is a hot topic in the news, but
which one triggers it and why?
N.N.: Yes, it is a hot topic. It’s also a topic, not
every author will touch upon, especially if the story is heavy on romance. I
knew I was taking a risk with this book, but I wanted to say the things that
have been bothering me for a few years now. I’m glad I did.
Rad-Reader: Can you give us the backstory on Alana and Mikah
that the blurb doesn’t give us?
N.N.:
Alana and Mikah are complicated. They had that spark when they
first met but nothing came of it because she was infatuated with his brother.
After Dakota is shot, things get really messy. Both are grieving and they end
up leaning on each other. The more time they spend together the more they
realize that there’s something else to their relationship than just friendship.
All this is happening while they are trying to deal with the aftermath of the
attack, so this is bound to be very messy.
Rad-Reader: How did you go about creating these
characters or did you they, create themselves?
N.N.: I actually had this idea for a while. I would
say 7 years or so, but I was redrafting parts of it while working on my other
projects until the storyline became clear. My characters always create themselves.
Usually when I’m trying to sleep or listen to music. They just pop into my
head and begin to do things. They are the main reason for my insomnia.
Rad-Reader: How long did it take you to write this story?
N.N.:
Rad-Reader: Jess has been Alana’s friend since
forever. Their eighteen, are they
already in college or still in high school?
N.N.: The girls are in college at the beginning of the
book. It’s their first semester.
Rad-Reader: Now is she an only child and a preacher’s, child at that?
N.N.:
Rad-Reader: So, am I to understand that she and Dakota
were only dating three months?
N.N.: Yes. I actually was asked this question by several people
including my editors. I was criticized for it too by a few people, but…here’s
the thing with young love. It hits you hard and fast. So fast you won’t even
know if it’s real or not until it’s no more. When people tell me it’s
impossible to truly know a person in such a short period of time, I don’t
think it happened to them. Which really doesn’t mean it can’t happen to someone
else. Who’s to say you’re going to stay with that person forever.
Alana and
Dakota fell for each other fast because it was the right time and they were
both open to those feelings at that moment. Maybe they wouldn’t make it as a
couple in the long run but that’s not something we’ll know because Dakota was
gone too soon. For those who don’t believe you can develop strong feelings for
someone in three months – yes, you can; you can develop strong feelings like
love for someone in two days if you click with that person. There are no rules
on how fast people should fall in love.
Rad-Reader: You're right. I believe our hearts have the ability to love in so many ways and as fast or as slow as it sees fit. Can it sustain it? Who knows, that will only come with time. When I was eighteen, no one wanted me to marry at such a young age. Now here at forty plus years marriage we still stand. Has it always been perfect? For godsakes, no, but we have laughed, loved, raised children, and have a granddaughter. So, no one knows your road you will travel or the pains you will encounter, like Alana and Dakota. Then again with Alana and Mikah
Rad-Reader: How old was Dakota and Mikah?
N.N.:
Rad-Reader: How come Blaze calls her the Cupcake Queen? Was it Dakota or Mikah that pinned her with
all the names that came up?
N.N.: I got asked that question a lot too. Someone somewhere dropped
this nickname and it stuck and the boys started using it. We don’t always know
in real life where certain things come from. I like to keep my books as realistic
as possible. I truly believe that not all things need to be explained. Unless
they are important things. The origin of a nickname isn’t that important in
this case. Someone may have dropped it during rehearsals.
Rad-Reader: Alana has been trying to toe the line so her
dad will pay for her college. What does
she want to major in?
N.N.:
Rad-Reader: Her parents seem overly protective of her is
there a reason?
N.N.: No reason. She’s the only child. Some parents are just like
that. I had pretty over-protective parents. My father didn’t let me watch
American Pie and Pretty Woman at 19. Doesn’t mean I didn’t watch the movies I
wanted anyway.
Rad-Reader: There seems to be a connection between her and Mikah
beyond losing Dakota. Is it the trauma
they have been living through and him protecting her that night?
N.N.:
Rad-Reader: So, had Mikah set his sights on Alana the
night Dakota officially introduced her backstage? But once he did he went indifferent to her
why almost mean, why?
N.N.:
Rad-Reader: Mikah doesn’t want to talk about Dakota or
what happened, Why?
N.N.: Denial is one of the stages of grief. He’s in
denial.
Rad-Reader: What is the reason for the disconnect between
Jess and Alana? Does Jess feel Alana is
wallowing over what happened?
N.N.:
Rad-Reader: Was Alana’s and Dakota’s relationship a
joke? Was she a bet to get in the
preacher’s daughter’s pants?
N.N.:
Rad-Reader: Was Mikah in love with Alana and hating that
his brother was messing with her like he was?
N.N.: I don’t know if it was love at first. They were strong feelings
that developed into a warped version of love eventually. Mikah didn’t hate his
brother. He knew Dakota truly liked Alana. That’s why he never tried to pursue
Alana.
Rad-Reader: Why is Mikah so angry with Dakota?
N.N.:
Rad-Reader: Jess seems to be happy at the same time there seems to be something not yet defined. Is it her
being passive-aggressive with Alana or is it me?
N.N.: Jess is a very aggressive person. Not literally. Just
aggressive in getting what she wants. The attack amplified that quality in her.
That’s another reason why Jess and Alana stopped getting along and understanding each other.
Rad-Reader: Why did Mikah even tell her he was leaving?
N.N.:
Rad-Reader: Does Mikah want something with her or
not? That night and the morning after
were iffy? Not to mention he tends to go
underground a lot.
N.N.: The morning after Mikah and Alana get together
was uncomfortable for both because they both felt guilty about what they did.
At the same time, they liked it, which only amplified their guilt. This explains
the awkwardness between the two.
Rad-Reader: Why did Dakota call Alana Moonchild?
N.N.:
Rad-Reader: Don’t you think Alana’s parent's helicoptering
has somewhat crippled her growth and made her disabled? To make decisions by herself. Brainwashed her almost.
N.N.: Yes, that’s the case here.
Rad-Reader: OMG!
When the two brothers at different times take Alana in bed, they both
use the exact same words. Why would
Mikah asks that?
N.N.:
Rad-Reader: To me it is creepy. Almost the exact same words. LOL!
Rad-Reader: To me it is creepy. Almost the exact same words. LOL!
Rad-Reader: It wasn’t him bringing his brother into it
and confusing it. It was him but he was
afraid to voice it until the fight to let her know, right? He did say the walls were paper thin.
N.N.: The scene you’re referring to is very emotional.
It was one of the hardest ones for me to write because there were so many
feelings involved, and I had to live through them all. I know the book is only written in Alana’s
POV, but I also had to put myself into Mikah’s shoes for some parts of the book
and this was one of those parts. This is where he broke down and told her how
he really felt all this time because Alana provoked him.
Rad-Reader: Why did the blonde with the butterfly tattoo
keep popping up. Did both brothers do
her too? And why did she have the same
butterfly tat as Dakota?
N.N.:
Rad-Reader: Why out of all of them do you think she was
having the hardest time adjusting? Being
in a crowded room, loud noise like pops, needing to know the exits, etc.….
N.N.: All the characters had a really hard time
adjusting. Sometimes the effects of PTSD can be delayed. Alana’s been sheltered
all her life and trying to fit it was already hard on her. The tragedy only
rattled her more.
Rad-Reader: If your book was made into a movie who would
you want to play…
Alana: Kiernan Shipka
Mikah: Wouter Peelen
Dakota: Heath Hutchins
Jess: Maisie Williams
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/342344009169268090/
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/342344009169268090/
Luke: Stian Bjornes
N.N.:
She’d be great. Honestly, I never thought about the boys, but I’d have to say I’m very old school and I’m a little lost at the moment. I’m not sure what actors would fit age-wise. But I love your cast. Although, both Dakota and Mikah have long hair. Mikah’s are past his shoulders, so I think it would be super hard to find an actor.
She’d be great. Honestly, I never thought about the boys, but I’d have to say I’m very old school and I’m a little lost at the moment. I’m not sure what actors would fit age-wise. But I love your cast. Although, both Dakota and Mikah have long hair. Mikah’s are past his shoulders, so I think it would be super hard to find an actor.
Alana:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/199776933457463977/
Mikah: Young Jared Leto?
Dakota: Young Brad Pitt?
Jess:
Luke:
Rad-Reader: What song or songs best describes your
characters or your book best?
“If
You Met Me First – Eric Ethridge”
The night he saw Alana backstage standing alone he fell. Not knowing that she was there to meet up
with his younger brother, Dakota.
“Unlove
You – Jennifer Nettles”
After the loss of the man she thought she would be in her life
forever is killed she is lonely and alone in her pain. She turns to the one person that she feels the
strongest connection. When they fall
into each other that’s when the real (pain begins magnifying the fears of the
world at large.) But she feels drunk on
Mikah.
“Don’t
Close Your Eyes – Dylan Scott”
Mikah had to go underground off and on because he has such a
love for Alana that he wishes it had been him who had died so she could still
be happy. But then he could not answer
when he could hear the stress either in text or her calls. He was hurting too because he wanted to be
who she wanted not his brother.
“Love
Me Anyway – Pink ft. Chris Stapleton”
When Mikah makes his declaration, she feels the need to meet him
halfway. But she still has questions and
she needs to know that if she needs to talk about what happened, his brother,
or whatever he will love her anyway. Not
run and bail every time things get tough or not go his way. He can’t keep going off the grid she can’t
feel secure that way.
“I
Am Your – Andy Grammer”
When she chose him and not his brothers’ ghost, he was just so
bewildered by it. No one had ever chosen
him. Not even his own mother. The
emotions were beyond overwhelming for him.
N.N.: Oh, I love all these. Don’t close your eyes is
great. I saw Dylan Scott live a few years ago. I listened to a lot of HIM while
I was writing this book since it has a lot of Gothic elements.
Rad-Reader: Who was the one person that had encouraged you
from the very start of your journey to your writing career?
N.N.:
Rad-Reader: If you had not been a writer what would you
have chosen as your dream job?
N.N.: Photographer, but I
already do that. I like all things creative. If I had to time to go to college
again, I would love to study design.
Rad-Reader: What time of day do you find yourself the
most productive when it comes to your writing?
N.N.:
Rad-Reader: Are you a writer that needs total quiet or one
that likes to have noise and music playing?
Like at a coffee shop or restaurant?
N.N.: I need silence to
weave words together.
Rad-Reader: Do you have a writer’s group that you write
with to bounce things off of in your town or online? How does your work if you do?
N.N.:
Rad-Reader: Did you publish with a publishing house or
self-publish?
N.N.: Self. I never considered trad. I’m a control freak, haha.
Rad-Reader: What three things can’t you leave home
without?
N.N.:
Rad-Reader: What is your next project and when is it
coming out?
N.N.: I’m working on multiple projects right now. I have a series drafted that I’m slowly editing. It’s a pretty dark and honest
sex, drugs, and rock’n’roll read about a group of friends from Los Angeles who are in the band
together. It’s been in the works for a
few years. There are 5 books, total. I think I will start publishing next
year. I also just sent part one of what looked like it’s going to be a duet slated, for early 2020 release. I’m working on part 2.
Rad-Reader: Where can our readers buy your books? Links
Rad-Reader: Where can our readers find you on the
Web? Links
N.N.,
Sometimes there are subjects we don't like to look at too closely because it makes us uncomfortable. Yet, you turned this uncomfortable subject into a love story yet, you hit on a lot of feelings that friends and family go through when affected by these senseless acts of violence. It was intense and I couldn't put it down. Thank you for making me uncomfortable yet happy these found what they needed.
Char
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