We chat with author Kristina Forest about her new novel Zyla & Kai, which is an epic star-crossed love story about first love and not just the will they, won’t they—but why can’t they?
Hi, Kristina! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I write romance for both teens and adults. I love cats. I’m a plant mom, a Beyonce trivia wiz, and my childhood dream was to be a ballerina.
How has the first half of 2022 been for you?
In one word: busy!
When did you first discover your love for writing?
I don’t specifically remember. I just know that I really enjoyed picture prompts in elementary school.
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
The Monster at the end of this Book; This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen; Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
Your new novel, Zyla & Kai, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Hearfelt, swoony, mysterious, sweet, and funny.
What can readers expect?
Zyla and Kai is a story about first love between two teens who meet one summer, fall in love, and the break up before running away together during their senior trip. At least that’s what everyone thinks happened. You’ll have to read it to find out the rest!
Where did the inspiration for Zyla & Kai come from?
A few places. I got the idea to write about a boy and a girl who fall in love and run away together. And then I saw the movie Moonrise Kingdom, and I was inspired by the structure of that story. But on a personal level, I was thinking about how my high school best friends and I didn’t always have the best luck with relationships and I wanted to write a story about two teens who fall in love and are ultimately happy.
Can you tell us a bit about the challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
Beginnings are always the hardest for me and that was true with Zyla & Kai. I try my best to outline as much as I can before I start drafting, but in the beginning of a story I do like to give myself and characters breathing room. I think the best way to overcome the anxiety from how hard it is to start a book is to just be patient with myself and the evolution of the story. Once I let go of that, I stop feeling pressured and the story begins to take form.
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing any moment between Zyla and Kai were they were talking abstractally about love or more specifically about their feelings for each other. One of my favorite scenes with the two of them is when they’re dancing together at Homecoming. Camille, who is Kai’s ex girlfriend and somewhat of an antagonist, was also pretty fun to write. I think the most interesting villains are the ones who fall somewhere in the grey area with their morals.
What do you hope readers will take away from Zyla & Kai?
I hope that readers gain a more hopeful outlook on love, family and friendship. I hope reading Zyla and Kai’s story encourages them to be more empathetic and patient with the people around them.
What’s next for you?
My adult romance debut, The Neighbor Favor, will publish next Spring, and I’ll start working on my next YA soon.
Lastly, do you have any 2022 book recommendations for our readers?
Confessions of an Alleged Good Girl by Joya Goffney, Beauty and the Besharam by Lillie Vale, The No-Show by Beth O’Leary, One True Loves by Elise Bryant
