In this brilliant debut reminiscent of Christina Baker Kline’s The Orphan Train and Kristina McMorris’s Sold on a Monday, three orphans journey westward from New York City to the Big Sky Country of Montana, hoping for a better life where beautiful wild horses roam free.
We chat with author Dianna Rostad about her debut novel You Belong Here Now, writing, book recommendations, and more!
Hi, Dianna! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Well, let’s see! I nerd out on books—of course! But I also love watching birds, and I have a butterfly garden where I plant flowers to attract my favorite pollinators. I like to see if I can identify them as they float around. Basically, I love anything in nature. It soothes me, and you’ll get plenty of it in my books. Landscapes always have a personality, and I love bringing them to life. The wind is a character in You Belong Here Now.
After the chaos that was 2020, have you set any goals for this year? If so, how are they going so far?
Lose weight! I don’t know about you all out there, but I gained. The more serious goal I’ve set is to abide by The Four Agreements. Google it.
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!
First book I remember reading was James and the Giant Peach. Now, the one that made me want to become an author…that’s real hard, because there are way too many. I can tell you that I was inspired by my favorite book of all time: To Kill a Mockingbird when writing this story. I wanted to write something classic, that grabbed the skeletons out of the closet and shook all the bones. A book everyone can read. I hope I hit the mark.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
I was always a great reader, and somewhere around 2006, I began to think about writing as a profession. It didn’t take long for me to dive head first into the literary world, attending conferences, reading Publishers Marketplace, taking creative writing courses, and then forming a critique group. What I love about writing is that I can go anywhere, create a world that I want, with characters I love and despise. It gets me out of this world and into another.
Your debut novel, You Belong Here Now, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
A classic book for everyone.
What can readers expect?
To be immersed in Montana and its landscape, its wind, crispy grass, the smell of cattle. A place so quiet all you can hear is your boot scuffing against the dirt. My orphan Charles slept on the streets of Hell’s Kitchen and it was never quiet. He loves the soothing sounds of Montana. Readers can also expect to meet a big cast of characters, some of them with fur. To come away from my book feeling hopeful about our human race.
Where did the inspiration for You Belong Here Now come from?
I read an online article about the orphan train on CNN years ago. I was astounded that I never learned about this adoption phenomena at school. Was I not listening? I researched it and discovered nobody had, as yet, written a book about it. I was obsessed with Lord Byron at the time, so I would pick YBHN up now and again, but the real passion began when my father came to Christmas and brought all these pictures of the old family ranches in Montana with anecdotes and stories written on the back. It broke open a great big world where I could see my characters falling into place. The other thing people don’t know about me is that I worked with a caseload of youthful offenders from South Central Los Angeles after the riots there in the 90s. Simply put, it was my job to get them one. These kids were so broken by their backgrounds and the people who let them down. But they still had hope, just like my kids in You Belong Here Now.
Can you tell us about any challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
The typical problems are the outside world and everything in it—except my writing space. The thing you have to overcome is your insecurity, because when you haven’t sold your book yet, friends and family don’t think you have a real job, so it’s hard to defend your writing time and the resources you put into it. I can’t tell you how many times someone asked me: “Are you done yet?” or “When can I buy it?” To write, you must have faith in yourself and truck tons of tenacity. Caffeine doesn’t hurt either!
If it’s not too spoilery, were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I really liked writing Charles beating up bullies. A little too much, I think, but seriously, my real passion in the storyline was about the orphans and the wild horses they rescue. Blue Roans must be the most magical looking horse on the planet. I miss all my characters, and I didn’t like having to type: THE END.
What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
Long. About thirteen years long—going on fourteen. I just kept trying. I kept writing, held the faith that someday “I would hit it over the fence.”
What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?
The worst advice is all the many rules you hear people spout. The best writing advice I ever received was from my writing mentor, Andrew Wille. When he found me, I was obeying ALL the rules. Andrew told there was only one rule: “Don’t be boring.” Pass it on! Thank you, Andrew!
What’s next for you?
I have a few storylines at work right now. Can’t say much more than that, but I will say, that you can always expect me to write big-hearted fiction for wide audiences. And what that means is, there will always be a character for everyone to root for, and cry for. My novels will center on hopeful themes and premises. Fast-moving stories about epic journeys, kids righting the wrongs of adults, teaching them how to love again, be in the present, and see the joy in small things. Remember that?
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
I collect signed first editions of my most loved books, so I always go to that shelf: This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger, The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline The Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E. Harrow, The Rose Code by Kate Quinn, Fingersmith by Sarah Waters, Helen of Troy by Margaret George, A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom, Cane River by Lalita Tademy—to name JUST a few.
