We chat with author Dylan Newton about overcoming challenges, inspiration, and, of course, her new novel, How Sweet It Is.
During a lull in her schedule, wedding event planner Kate Sweet agrees to plan a book launch for horror writer Drake Matthews to help her publicist best friend. Things get off to a rocky start when Kate accidently maims her new client and Drake vetoes every one of Kate’s “Spooktacular” book launch ideas. But the great Drake Matthews has writer’s block and the only thing he can seem to write is historical romance. So, when Drake realises that Kate may just be the inspiration he needs for his historical romance love interest, the pair form an unexpected truce, and their professional relationship quickly turns into something more.
Hi, Dylan! How Sweet It Is was such an enjoyable read! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Hi! First, thank you for having me on The Nerd Daily—I’m excited to be here! I grew up in rural Western New York where I hit my nerd stride early, as the library was my favorite hangout. I was an English major in college, yet my first career was in…banking call centers! The most writing I did was in memos and on Excel project plans. After a decade, I switched careers and began to write full-time. I married my high school sweetheart, and we split time in Florida and New York with our two much cooler daughters, two spoiled cats and a tone-deaf cockatiel. I love reading (shocker!) and fixing up our project home: a Victorian built in 1900 that stole our hearts and may or may not be the inspiration for the Victorian home in my debut rom-com.
If you could describe How Sweet It Is in only five words, what would they be?
A laugh-out-loud romance!
What sets How Sweet It Is apart from other romance novels?
Well, for starters, it’s set in the fall at Halloween—my favorite holiday! Having a sparkly heroine who is typically spreadsheet-perfect getting thrown off her game—becoming a chaos magnet as she coordinates a spooky book launch—was a different romance premise, for sure! Combine that with the hero being a world-famous horror writer and it’s safe to say SWEET is unlike most romances out there! But before that scares some of you away, don’t worry—the book isn’t spooky at all. Although my hero is known as the Knight of Nightmares, we discover that like many of us, Drake is a great guy just doing his job. You can like horror—even write horror—and not be horrifying. For me, there were so many fun things to work with as an author switching genres who is writing about an author switching genres, and the bookish elements of the novel are my favorite. I think the biggest factor that sets this book apart from other romance novels is that I kept it in a very specific lane: a funny, romp of a romance that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
Have you ever been on any of the adventures that Drake and Kate go on in How Sweet It Is (e.g. the crypt or Niagara Falls)?
Ha, yes! Before the pandemic, my whole family joined me for a ‘research trip’ to Niagara Falls and we all did Cave of the Winds for the first time, and while I’ve been on the Maid of the Mist, I tend to get motion-sick so it’s not my favorite Falls attraction. Another fun fact: I love to visit cemeteries and while I’ve never been in a mausoleum exactly like the one Drake and Kate visit, I once had lunch in an old, underground crypt in London, England. It was spooktacular!
What is your favourite scene or chapter in How Sweet It Is and why?
While I think the meet-cute (which is more of a meet-disaster) is ticklishly funny, and the mausoleum scene was where I fell in love with my hero and heroine as a couple, I’d have to say that my favorite scenes are the ones where Drake is with his family, specifically his brothers. I have no brothers, and have all daughters, so I’m fascinated by how guys/brothers interact. My husband has two brothers and their zany interaction is much like Drake, Ryker and Zander—the brother scenes in the book are much like the trio in real life, so they make me smile!
Drake’s mother owns PattyCakes and Coffee, so what is your favourite café order?
They say to write what you know, so Kate orders my favorite in the book: Chai Tea Latte!
What is the main message that you want readers to take away from How Sweet It Is?
So many times we have preconceived notions or labels for others: horror writers are creepy; first-born children are the responsible ones; you grew up in X so you must be like Y. Oftentimes, we even believe those fallacies about ourselves, and this limits us. If I could ask a reader to take one thing away from the book it’s this: challenge yourself to step outside your comfort zone this year. Read a different genre. Try a new food/hobby. Set yourself an audacious goal…and block out any haters as you strive toward it. You are not one label, or even twenty, so allow yourself to grow out of your typical boundaries.
What is one challenge that you faced while writing How Sweet It Is and how did you overcome it?
Oh, by far the biggest challenge was writing and editing during the pandemic. While I aspire to be that author who writes from 9-5, her muse obedient and abundant during those hours, logistically, this is not my writing reality. I have a husband, kids, pets and I’ve been a Girl Scout leader for over 16 years—in short, even in the best of times, I struggle to get words on a page. When COVID lockdown began and both my girls were home taking classes in the dining room, I was suddenly crowned substitute teacher, lunch lady and IT guru in addition to author. With the library and other writing spots unavailable, my work-in-progress stalled. For a while, I wrote at night when everyone else was sleeping. That made for a cranky writer, and it’s hard to pen romantic comedies when you want to throat-punch everyone. Eventually, I established better writing boundaries, which I’ve kept to this day. A closed office door means that unless you are bleeding, and need a ride to the hospital, I am not to be disturbed or else you will need a ride to the hospital. (Just kidding on that last bit. Sort of.)
What are some recent books that you have enjoyed?
I was fortunate to get an advanced reader copy of Farrah Rochon’s THE DATING PLAYBOOK (coming August 2021) which combines romance with football, and as an avid Buffalo Bills fan, it doesn’t get much better than that. I also recently read ADULTING by Liz Talley, and if she doesn’t hook you in the first chapter, you must be made of stone! My fraternal book twin (that also debuted with me on July 13) THE REHEARSALS by Annette Christie, was incredible—like a clever, romantic version of ‘Groundhog Day,’ it kept me turning pages to see how the time loop would resolve. While I’m really digging rom-coms right now, I love YA and fantasy, and recently finished re-reading Leigh Bardugo’s Grisha series (looove me some Grishaverse!).
What are some things that you have been doing to help yourself stay positive during the challenging times of COVID-19?
Focusing on the things we could control, versus all the things outside of our control, was sanity-saving for me and my family. Also, the fact I was writing a romantic comedy forced me to focus on the hilarity found in everyday situations—and while sometimes it was a massive challenge to be lighthearted and funny in my writing, the effort itself paid off with my overall attitude and outlook. We were more fortunate than many in pandemic times, and I count my blessings that we are now all vaccinated and can see friends and family…and go to bookstores once more!
