We chat with author Annie England Noblin about Spring Fling, which is a delightful friends-to-lovers romantic comedy and will rekindle your belief in the magic of first love and the charm of small towns.
Hi, Annie! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I live in the Missouri Ozarks with my husband, son, Pug, 3 cats, and an axolotl. I love writing stories that feel at home, and I’m most comfortable in that small-town setting. I teach English and Communications for a local community college, and I really find a lot of inspiration from my students. I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis in 2022, and I’ve spent the last few years figuring out how to get back to myself after diagnosis. I think that this is going to have an impact on the types of stories I write moving forward.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I can’t remember a time in my life when I didn’t love stories—both telling them and reading/watching/hearing them. My grandparents got me my first journal at 8, where I proceeded to write horrible poetry. I’d say that’s really where my love for writing began.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Green Eggs & Ham
- The one that made you want to become an author: Good in Bed by Jennifer Weiner (this is when I realized women’s fiction was the one for me)
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Wide Sargasso Sea by Jean Rhys
Your latest novel, Spring Fling, is out March 18th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
I’m. Not. Good. At. This.
Okay, realistically—Spring, Healing, Love, Water, Friendship.
What can readers expect?
Reclaimed love, friends to lovers, small town romance, a raccoon named Fat Tony.
Where did the inspiration for Spring Fling come from?
To be honest, I don’t really remember. I drive across a lake to work every day, and the water inspires me so much. I think that’s where the location came from.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing Granny, but I think I most enjoyed exploring the concept of childhood friends to lovers and what that kind of relationship looks like.
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
I had 3 different editors whilst writing this book, and our ideas about what this book was going to be evolved quite a bit. I’m thankful for it, ultimately, but it wasn’t always an easy process. I think this book taught me a lot about who I am as a writer and what I want my “voice” to sound like in my writing. I learned that I have to be me, even if sometimes I wish I could be someone else. Going back to my roots and writing a book that is set locally (although in a fictional town) really helped.
What’s next for you?
Honestly—I don’t know. I took a break from writing for about a year, and now I’m ready to get back to work with some fresh ideas I’ve been mulling over. This is the first time since 2012 that I haven’t been working on a novel, and the break has been nice.
Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up this year?
Well, what I’d really like is for Leigh Bardugo to release the 3rd Ninth House novel, but I don’t think that is going to happen just yet (sigh), so for now, I’m looking forward to Emily Henry’s newest, and I’ve been holding on to The Courting of Bristol Keats by Mary E. Pearson so that I have something to read over my spring break!
