We chat with author Samantha Downing about her latest book release A Twisted Love Story, which is a reckless, delicious thriller about a young couple that gives a whole new meaning to the dangers of modern dating.
Hi, Samantha! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I grew up in California, spent most of my adult life in New Orleans, now I’m back living in the Bay Area. I’ve been writing for a long time and I’m completely self-taught, it’s not something I studied in college. My first thriller was published in 2019. A Twisted Love Story is my fourth.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I was a big reader growing up and always had my nose in a book. I was that kid who read during recess instead of playing. But the writing didn’t start until I was an adult, and the first thing I wrote were short stories. Eventually I started writing books, but it was a long process. I had no idea what I was doing (and really, I still don’t!)
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!
It wasn’t my first book, but the one I read the most as a kid was Ramona and Beezus. That one in particular struck a chord with me and I must have read it dozens of times.
Your latest novel, A Twisted Love Story, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
These five words are a little aspirational, but I hope this book is twisted, thrilling, addictive, unpredictable, and satisfying.
What can readers expect?
A Twisted Love Story is a about a very twisted, up-and-down relationship, and it really drives this story. Wes and Ivy have been together, on and off, for ten years and they just can’t quit each other. They’re sort of like a tornado that barrels through life, drawing others into their whirlwind. The results aren’t always good!
Where did the inspiration for A Twisted Love Story come from?
I wanted to write a book where the relationship was an actual character. Wes and Ivy are individual characters, but together they become something else. Love is also a character in the book, and how our relationships change us, define us, make us who we are. Everyone in the book has been affected by the relationships they’ve had, and they have become who they are because of them. We can’t always see this clearly in ourselves, but you can definitely see it in the characters of A Twisted Love Story.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I really enjoyed writing the scenes when Wes and Ivy are together. To me, they had a chemistry and it was fun to write their dialogue and the things they did to each other. In my mind, they are made for each other. But I’m not sure everyone will feel that way!
This is your fourth published novel! What are some of the key lessons you have learned when it comes to writing and the publishing world?
I wish I could say I have a whole list of things I’ve learned about writing…but on most days, it feels like I haven’t learned a thing. For some reason, I thought writing would get easier. Turns out, the opposite is true.
I don’t know if this is good advice, but this is what I do: If the writing is bad, delete it. If the book is bad, throw it out. Writing is the same as any other kind of art. A chef doesn’t cook a great meal every time. Sometimes it’s bad, and tossing in a little seasoning isn’t going to make it better. So the chef throws out the bad meal and tries again.
The same goes for a writer. If the book is bad, get rid of it and write another.
What’s next for you?
Working on my next book, another thriller.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
I have so many favorite authors and books, it’s hard to pick just a few. I love everything written by Ashley Winstead, Hannah Morrissey, and Araminta Hall. All three write very, very dark thrillers, if that’s your thing.
I also love Heather Chavez, May Cobb, Rachel Howzell Hall, Mary Kubica, Caroline Kepnes, Kellye Garrett, Samantha Bailey, Hannah Mary McKinnon, Hank Phillippi Ryan…seriously, I could go on for a while here. But I don’t think you can go wrong with the books written by any of these authors.
