We chat with author Meredith Schorr about Roommating, which sees sizzling chemistry and tender friendship develop between two accidental roommates in this hilarious rom-com from the author of As Seen on TV.
Hi, Meredith! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi! I’m a born and bred New Yorker and author of romance and romantic comedies. I have a day-job as a paralegal at a Manhattan law firm that I dream of being able to quit to write full-time. I’m a runner, recent OrangeTheoryFitness enthusiast, and self-proclaimed television addict. And, I read a lot …obviously.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I’ve always loved to read and although I would invent stories in my head as a child, especially during long road trips, I didn’t discover my passion for writing until my early 30s when I started an anonymous dating blog. While daydreaming on my walk to work one day, I was inspired to write a romance. I wrote three pages that day and never looked back!
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Betsy’s Little Star by Carolyn Haywood
- The one that made you want to become an author: The Opposite of Love by Julie Buxbaum
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Your latest novel, Roommating, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Inconvenient feelings for roommate’s grandson
What can readers expect?
Roommating is a cozy roommates to lovers romcom and a love letter to books and libraries, Manhattan, and grandmothers. Although the romance is central, the intergenerational friendship between Sabrina and Marcia is a strong subplot. There are a lot of author and book title drops! The sex scenes are open door but not super steamy.
Where did the inspiration for Roommating come from?
I came up with the idea for Roommating from a segment on The Today Show about an intergenerational roommate app that connects older adults looking to rent out a room to a younger adult for reduced rent in exchange for help around the house.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I always love developing the central romance, and Sabrina and Adam were no exception, but in this book I was especially fond of the intergenerational friendship between Sabrina and her older roommate, Marcia. It was also really fun to center this book around libraries and reading because I was able to pull from my own passions. I even attended two orientations (one in-person and the other virtual) for a masters in library and information science and I was a little jealous that I couldn’t actually enroll!
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
The book was initially more enemies to lovers but at my editor’s urging during a video brainstorming call, I did a significant rewrite to rejig and better develop Adam and Sabrina’s relationship so that the romantic connection came before the later rivalry. It was intimidating at first but once I got into it, I loved every second and think it made for a much better romance.
What’s next for you?
I’m currently revising a romance in a new sub-genre. Stay tuned!
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
I’ve already read eighty-one books this year and have loved so many. In particular, I enjoyed Passion Project by London Sperry, Never Planned on You by Lindsay Hameroff, Long Live Evil by Sarah Brennan, and The Love Lyric by Kristina Forest. I’m excited to read Finders Keepers by Sarah Adler, Every Step She Takes by Alison Cochrun, Pugs and Kisses by Farah Rochon, Sounds Like Love by Ashley Poston, and Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Colllins (am waiting until Roommating is out for this one) among others.
