Article contributed by Zoë Leonarczyk
Today, Tonight, Tomorrow is a new contemporary young adult book by Rachel Lynn Solomon that is a little bit of The Hating Game mixed with Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist. It is a story of two enemies who find themselves feeling very different about one another over the course of a single eventful day.
The Nerd Daily recently had the opportunity to talk with Rachel to celebrate the release of this book and answer some other personal questions on her writing and life.
Hi Rachel! Tell us a little about yourself!
Thank you so much for having me! I’ve spent my whole life in Seattle, first in a suburb and now in a neighborhood just south of a zoo. I studied journalism at the University of Washington and worked in public radio for a few years before I felt pulled more to fiction. These days, I divide my time between writing, freelance editing, and teaching writing workshops. A fun fact: once I was part of a group of people who broke a Guinness World Record for the most natural redheads in one place.
Your new novel, Today, Tonight, Tomorrow, releases on July 28th! What do you want people to know about Today, Tonight, Tomorrow?
Today Tonight Tomorrow is a rivals-to-lovers romantic comedy that takes place over 24 hours on the last day of senior year. There’s a lot of banter, forced proximity, and exploration of Seattle through a senior class game I made up for the book called Howl, a mashup of Assassin and a scavenger hunt. It’s the most fun I’ve had writing a book, and while my first two YA novels were a bit heavier, with this one, I really wanted to put something out into the world that would bring readers joy.
What led you to writing YA contemporary novels?
The first book I queried was sort of new adult before new adult took off, a coming-of-age about a grad school dropout in her early twenties. I queried it as women’s fiction and only got one request, but I’d also joined a local critique group, and one of the members told me my voice sounded YA. I hadn’t read YA in years—I’d never even heard of Sarah Dessen—and when I went back to it, I just immediately fell in love. I probably read over a hundred books that year, trying to immerse myself in it as much as possible, which then led to writing and querying my next book, a YA contemporary. Three books later, I wrote the book that became my debut.
What does a day of writing look for you?
I used to set up at a local coffee shop, but now that I’m writing from home, I usually work on freelance projects or book promo in the morning and write in the afternoons on my couch! I’m a huge fan of the pomodoro method and apps like Forest to help me focus.
How different was it writing your debut adult novel, The Ex Talk, compared with your young adult novels?
The biggest difference was the amount of independence my main characters have. In The Ex Talk, the protagonist can easily get herself from place to place, owns a house, and is (mostly) financially independent. As an adult millennial, she also has a completely different relationship with her mother, and as she pursues a romance, the obstacles in her way are a bit different. There’s the added stress of work, and questions of “Am I doing things right as an adult?” and “Is this what I’m supposed to be doing with my life?” come up a lot.
What does it feel like when you publish a new book?
An intense mix of excitement, anxiety, and adrenaline!! It’s always surreal seeing it on bookshelves and hearing which parts people relate to. While it’s scary that it’s completely out of my hands, I love hearing others’ interpretations when I’m tagged or when someone reaches out to me. It’s fascinating that the book can mean something different to each reader.
How did you become involved in Pitch Wars and how has it affected your own writing?
Pitch Wars was very different when I got involved back in 2014—all I did was DM the organizer and ask to be a mentor! Now there’s a formal application process and mentors reapply every year. Pitch Wars has become an integral piece of my writing community. My past mentees are now friends and critique partners, and almost everyone I’m close with at this point has some root in Pitch Wars. I also currently serve on the leadership board.
What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Always be working on your next book. I truly believe stubbornness and success are closely linked in this industry, and the only way to ensure you have more chances to get where you want to be is by having another book ready to shop around if the one you’re currently querying isn’t getting the response you hoped for. Publishing is a marathon, not a sprint—my debut novel was my fifth completed manuscript!
What does your perfect day look like?
I love gloomy weather, so if I can be inside writing something I love while rain batters the windows, that’s true happiness for me. Any perfect day for me would probably also need to include tacos.
What are some things you couldn’t live without to make it through 2020?
I used to write every day at a coffee shop, and I have an almost Pavlovian response to the chai I’d order there—one sip, and I’d immediately feel productive. So I tracked down the powder they use and I’ve been making it at home! Also, my eight-pound dog, who keeps me company on the couch while I write.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for us?
A few books I’ve adored that are coming out later this year:
Now That I’ve Found You by Kristina Forest, a contemporary YA romance that feels like a YA version of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (out August 25)
The Roommate by Rosie Danan, a steamy adult romcom about a woman who discovers her new roommate is an adult entertainer (out September 15)
Rent a Boyfriend by Gloria Chao, a clever YA romcom about a college student who falls for the fake boyfriend she hires to impress her parents (out November 10)
Is there a Today Tonight Tomorrow book in Neil’s perspective?? I’d love to read it!!