We chat with author Emily Bleeker about When We Chased The Light, which is an epic and emotional novel about forgiveness, fame, family, and truly unconditional love by the bestselling author of When We Were Enemies.
Hi, Emily! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I am so pleased to be on The Nerd Daily as a self proclaimed nerd myself. I’ve always been a bit of a book nerd, binge reading the likes of The Boxcar Children, The Babysitter’s Club, Nancy Drew and anything by RL Stine from the time I got a library card. Now I’m lucky enough to be on my ninth year of writing stories for a living. I also perform improv on a local house team and indulge in singing karaoke as often as possible. I’m also the mom to four growing kids and the cat mom to one adorable kitten.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I have always been a daydreamer which I think is really the origin of my passion for writing. I also am obsessed with stories. I love books, movies, TV shows, true crime, documentaries, non-fiction and most of all—real life stories from people I meet. I started writing down the stories in my mind when I ran a writer’s workshop with my students when I was an elementary school teacher. I thought it was only fair to participate in the same exercises I gave my students, and it opened up a new outlet for my creativity. It was something I did in private for many, many years, but through the encouragement of a small writer’s group in my area and some online writer friends, I slowly found the confidence to share my work.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: My dad used to read to us at night, and the first books I remember him sharing were The Chronicles of Narnia. The first book I remember reading all on my own was Marvin K Mooney Will You Please Go Now By Dr. Seuss.
- The one that made you want to become an author: Delirium By Lauren Oliver
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Blood Orange Night By Melissa Bond
When We Chased the Light is the companion novel to When We Were Enemies, and it’s out October 22nd! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Old Hollywood, Forbidden Love, Murder
What can readers expect?
When We Chased The Light is a book about the real human struggles that are often just out of frame in lives lived in the public eye. It asks the question–when everyone knows your name can anyone truly know who you are? Vivian Snow has Antonio Trombello, a trusted friend and confidant, an Italian POW and priest she met while working at a POW camp during WWII. The one man who knows everything about her, including the truth behind what happened to her now missing husband, and has sworn to help keep her secrets safe.
Where did the inspiration for When We Chased the Light come from?
I found out a few years ago my grandmother worked in a POW camp in Clinton, Mississippi, during WWII and became friends with an Italian priest imprisoned there. They kept in touch via his hand-drawn postcards until he passed away some years later. It was a beautiful story of friendship and platonic love, and it stuck in my mind and heart. I wanted to know more—so of course—I decided to write my own story!! The postcards in When We Chased The Light are inspired by their communique, though the story is unique.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I truly loved writing this novel. The relationship between Trombello and Vivian really spoke to me, and their shared moments were my favorite. Also, as a huge history buff, I loved diving into the SIX DECADES worth of research that needed to be done to make this book realistic and fully actualized. I learned SO much about every time period and would listen to music from the era I was writing about as I worked to help inspire me.
Did you always envision there would be a companion novel to When We Were Enemies?
I didn’t intend to have a companion novel at all! It wasn’t until I wrote all of When We Were Enemies that I felt a deep desire to write the rest of Vivian’s story. It only seemed fair to her and the other characters, who only had the beginning of their stories told. I started writing her story, knowing I needed to tell it, even if no one else wanted to read it. I feel so lucky I’ve had the opportunity to share it!
What’s next for you?
I’m in the middle of writing a new book. I’ll have some news to share soon!!! If you want to keep up with updates, then follow me on any or all of the social media sites.
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed so far this year and are there any that you can’t wait to get your hands on?
I just finished Dearest, a horror novel by Jacquie Walters. It’s her debut, and I loved every squishy, creepy minute of it. A perfect Halloween read!
