Alex Richards crafts an addicting and compelling new story about betrayal, complicated family secrets, and getting to the heart of what matters — ultimately asking readers how far they’d be willing to go to unravel the truth.
We chat with author Alex Richards about her latest release, When We Were Strangers! Releasing on July 27th 2021, Alex talks about the challenges she faced, writing, book recommendations, and so much more! PLUS we have an excerpt from the first chapter for you to enjoy at the end of the interview!
Hi, Alex! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! Thanks for having me on your blog. I write contemporary YA. I gravitate toward heavier topics but for my own sanity, I balance it out with humor and a little romance. In other words, I want my readers to have all the feels! I live in Brooklyn with my family, and grew up in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where I tend to set all my fictional stories.
How has the first half of 2021 been for you?
Whooo…that’s a tough question! It has been very up and down. Like, we finally made it through the insanity of 2020, and I was really hoping to wake up in 2021 with everything magically better. Okay not really … but it would have been nice! I have had a few bursts of creativity, but I’ve also had some setbacks. Mostly, I’m really excited for WHEN WE WERE STRANGERS to come out—I’m ready to celebrate!
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!
I loved Maurice Sendak books as a kid (not sure they’re the first ones I ever read, but that’s my answer!). WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE and OUTSIDE OVER THERE are two of my favorites. Sendak told such beautiful, off-kilter stories about family, and they have always stuck with me. The book that made me want to become an author … am I allowed to say The Baby-Sitters Club?! I was a huge fan, and would describe myself astrologically as a Mary Anne with a Claudia rising. And a book that I can’t stop thinking about (eek, there are so many) would probably be DIG by A.S. King. It’s just really well written and thought provoking and unique. Now I want to read all her books!
When did you first discover your love for writing?
When I was about 10, I got super into writing YA novels. I have spiral notebooks full of them — all ridiculous! I’d write about things I knew nothing about – supermodels, camp counsellors (a lot of the plotlines loosely followed threads from Saved By The Bell and Bevery Hills 90210, hah!). I don’t always love coming up with story ideas, but I’ve definitely always loved writing.
Your new novel, When We Were Strangers, is out July 27th 2021! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Preconceptions won’t solve your problems.
What can readers expect?
A book that will make you cry! But also laugh. And maybe swoon a little. Like I said, I love exploring emotionally heavy topics, but it’s equally important to weave in some levity (I’m a sucker for salty, sassy friends, and don’t-know-they’re-adorable boys).
What was the inspiration behind When We Were Strangers?
Infidelity, cheating, divorce—these things happen all the time, and teens bear the brunt in a harsh and unfair way. I initially had this idea with the intention of having the mom obsess over and follow Bree (the new girlfriend), but then realized there wasn’t enough of a storyline for my teen protagonist. YA is so much about heartbreak, I wanted to explore a different side of that pain, and a different resolution. So, I switched it up. I stuck with the topic but tried to find a unique, fresh angle to tackle it from.
Can you tell us about any challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
Challenges?! Oh yeah. Getting through these pandemic-y times has been a huge, emotional struggle. Though I was able to write the first (and second, and probably third!) draft of this book before COVID-19, I was knee-deep in revisions and copyedits while also stuck at home helping my kids through remote learning. It was mentally exhausting. I could easily have curled up in my shell, watching Schitt’s Creek marathons (okay, I definitely did that too), but I am grateful that I had deadlines to adhere to. Knowing that people were expecting results helped draw the creativity out of me.
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I love Juana! I have always really enjoyed writing the best friend characters, but she was probably my favorite. Best friends get to be the comic relief, the security blanket, and the Magic 8-Ball. Every scene Juana and Evie were together felt like it wrote itself, and I loved the support, guidance, and occasional eye-rolls she showed Evie throughout this wild adventure.
What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?
Best: read constantly! And in different genres (I’m not great at this, my TBR is usually stocked with YA, but it is good advice and will help you become a better writer!)
Worst: write what you know. I feel like this advice crippled me when I was younger. I started writing as a pre-teen, but nothing about my life was “story-worthy” and I thought that meant I wasn’t allowed to write anything. Don’t let your own life experiences box you in.
What’s next for you?
It’s been a very tough year and, honestly, I haven’t gotten very much done. But, I feel like I’ve finally turned a corner on a new project! I am very excited about the contemporary YA book I’m working on. Keep an eye out for more angst, grief, humor, and crushes!
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
So many! I’m loving I KILLED ZOE SPANOS by Kit Frick – it’s the perfect, twisty summer thriller. Oh, speaking of summer thrillers: WHERE SECRETS LIE by Eva. V. Gibson was wonderful. I loved THE HOW AND THE WHY by Cynthia Hand (recommended to me by someone who had just finished WHEN WE WERE STRANGERS, and I can see why!). Also WE CAN BE HEROES by Kyrie McCauley, which comes out this fall, is incredible. And some favorites from last year: THE LUCKY ONES by Liz Lawson, AS MANY NOWS AS I CAN GET by Shana Youngdahl, and A BREATH TOO LATE by Rocky Callan.
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