An intense high-stakes story about five friends and the deadly secret that could send their lives up in flames, perfect for fans of Karen McManus and E. Lockhart.
We chat with debut author Jennifer Lynn Alvarez about Lies Like Wildfire, along with her love for writing, book recommendations, and more!
Hi, Jennifer! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Sure! My new thriller, Lies Like Wildfire, is my debut YA novel. I’m also the author of two middle grade series titled The Guardian Herd and Riders of the Realm. I love exploring thrilling situations, intense relationships, and power dynamics through fiction.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
From my very first story, I was hooked! An author controls everything in the worlds they create, and as a child, I felt powerless. I think many children do. There were moves and changes in my life that I had no say over. Writing became a safe place where I wielded absolute power–safe for me that is. Not so safe for my characters. I like to put them through the wringer!
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!
Watership Down by Richard Adams! I didn’t believe a novel about rabbits could be interesting. What did rabbits do all day except eat carrots and run from predators? Richard Adams showed me that a book about rabbits could be heart-pounding and fantastic and thrilling! The novel inspired me to use the full power of my imagination.
Your new novel, Lies Like Wildfire, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Gritty, Suspenseful, Sexy, Mysterious, Unsettling
What can readers expect?
I hope they can expect a plot that will keep them guessing! Early readers report that they can’t put the book down, that they have to know how it all plays out.
Where did the inspiration for Lies Like Wildfire come from?
Initially, I just wanted to write about five teens who make a terrible mistake right after they graduate high school. I was curious how that would play out in their friendship and in their lives. I wanted the mistake to be big, truly terrible, but also accidental.
Because of my experience living with wildfires in Northern California, I decided they would accidentally start a massive, deadly forest fire that burns through their town. Since it’s criminal to start a wildfire, even unintentionally, they face fines and criminal charges if they get caught. The stakes needed to be very high for the group to make the pact of silence that spirals out of control. The plot took off from there and I feel like the book wrote me.
Can you tell us about any challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
One challenge I faced was that my house was surrounded by flames and smoke during the 2020 LNU Complex Fire while I was editing the book. That was surreal.
It was also challenging to write characters who make bad choices. They aren’t always likeable, but I hope, always relatable.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I loved writing about Hannah and her dad! Her father is the sheriff and he’s hunting for the persons responsible for the wildfire. Hannah probes him for information, all the while being the person he’s hunting for. It was quite fun to explore that dynamic.
What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?
“Show don’t tell” is the best and the worst advice all in one package. As a fledgling writer, I didn’t understand how to do this. How did I “tell” a story without “telling” it? The advice made me feel self-conscious about my writing. I needed someone to “show” me how to apply this advice. I think that goes for all writing tips–please provide examples and the craft tools to fix the problem. Honestly, most writing advice only makes sense after lots of practice. Also, sometimes it’s okay to “tell”. It’s more about finding the right balance for the story you’re writing.
What’s next for you?
I’ve written a second stand-alone YA thriller called FRIENDS LIKE THESE. It comes out in Fall of 2022 from Delacorte Press. It’s also set in Northern California, but this time near the coast. It’s about a high school party prank that backfires when the alleged prankster goes missing and her intended victims become the suspects. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Mistake number one.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
Yes! If you enjoy disaster thrillers, read DRY by Neal Shusterman. It’s about Southern California running out of water (and it might be coming true!).
