We chat with author Mikki Daughtry about Time After Time, which is an unforgettable sapphic romance featuring two love stories, one hundred years apart.
Hi, Mikki! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m a screenwriter and novelist living in Los Angeles. My day job, I guess you’d say, is writing movies. I do love a good novel writing binge, though. It allows me to go more deeply into the characters.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I honestly can’t remember a time when I didn’t love stories – hearing them or telling them or imagining them. I’ve been a daydreamer all my life. It was only a matter of time before I made it my profession.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: A Dog Called Kitty by Bill Wallace.
- The one that made you want to become an author: No one particular book made me want to write. The books I love are books I could never live up to, nor would I ever compare myself to. They’re too good. I write because I have stories that want to be told.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: I will never be able to stop thinking about Wuthering Heights or One Hundred Years of Solitude.
Your latest novel, Time After Time, is out May 27th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
A sapphic, second-chance romance. Does the hyphenated word count as one or two?
What can readers expect?
A lot of love. Some mystery, some heartache. A little bit of fate. A dash of magic. And romance. Romance romance romance.
Where did the inspiration for Time After Time come from?
The idea just landed in my body one night. My ideas come from somewhere outside myself. Or maybe it’s somewhere inside myself. I can’t honestly tell you. They just show up when they’re ready to be told. And I try to tell them the best I can, and hope the whole time that I’m doing them justice.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Besides my main characters, Honey Harper was the most fun for me. She’s such an asshole.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
Ha. Every damned day. I’m a screenwriter by trade and we are trained to cut any excess fat. Writing a novel is the exact opposite. Deep dives into character and thoughts are what novels are meant for, so there are always speedbumps when I go back and forth. It’s a special kind of hell for me when I’m working on a novel and a screenplay at the same time. I end up overwriting one and underwriting the other.
What’s next for you?
A movie! Right now I’m writing the screenplay for the remake of A WALK TO REMEMBER. I’m ridiculously excited about this project. I’ve always loved both the novel and the movie. It’s my first time adapting a Nicholas Sparks book, which, for a love story fanatic like myself, is kinda the ultimate dream come true.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
Not sure yet. I’ve been so focused on getting my own book out that I haven’t caught up with what’s out there. I can’t wait, though. I’d love to find a new favorite!
