We chat with author Lynn Painter about Fake Skating, which is a heartfelt and banter-filled rom-com about childhood sweethearts whose icy reunion in their hockey-loving hometown unexpectedly thaws when they fake a romantic relationship.
Hi, Lynn! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m Lynn Painter and I lovelovelove reading, writing, and watching rom-coms.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I’ve always loved reading, and I spent my entire childhood daydreaming, weaving stories in my over-romantic brain, usually when it was supposed to be doing other things. I didn’t actually lock-in on the idea of writing, however, until after I was married with a houseful of kids! It took me a while to figure it all out, but I’m so glad it finally hit! 😉
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Charlotte’s Web
- The one that made you want to become an author: Looking For Alaska
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Great Gatsby
Your latest novel, Fake Skating, is out September 30th! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
I am not good at word economy, you guys! It’s snowy, fake-datey, he-is-so-into-her-even-though-he-doesn’t-want-to-be……see? SO TOO MANY WORDS! 😉
What can readers expect?
It’s sports romance, but sandwiched-between childhood-friends-to-not-friends-anymore and a found-family vibe that centers around an entire town (that is obsessed with hockey).
Where did the inspiration for Fake Skating come from?
It started as me just wanting to write a YA hockey romcom, but when I went to MN to visit my cousins and do hockey research, I fell head-over-heels in love with the town where they live, the hockey culture, and the beautiful sense of place and community I felt while visiting.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Grandpa Mick is my favorite for sure!!!!!
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
I had to learn a LOT about hockey, because it’s easy to know the “facts” and “rules” about a sport, but trickier to try and figure out the verbiage and way of thinking an actual player has about the sport.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently working on my next YA book, which is set in New York (in the fall because OF COURSE IT MUST BE, RIGHT?), so that’s something absolutely new for me. So exciting!
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
I loved FALLING LIKE LEAVES by Misty Wilson and RULES FOR FAKE GIRLFRIENDS by Raegan Revord, and I just received a copy of JUST FRIENDS by Haley Pham that I am SO EXCITED to tear into!!
