USA Today bestselling author Robin Wells explores what it means to be a mother in modern society, in her new contemporary novel SHE GETS THAT FROM ME. Known for her likeable, warm characters and emotionally engaging stories, Wells’s new novel is a multi-generational narrative that weaves family drama, humour, and an intriguing setting into a satisfying read that will appeal to fans of Jill Shalvis and Susan Wiggs.
We had the pleasure of chatting with Robin about her latest novel, inspiration, book recommendations, and more!
Hi, Robin! Tell us a bit about yourself!
I hold a B.A. in Liberal Arts from the University of Oklahoma and worked in public relations and advertising before I began writing fiction. I’ve written nineteen novels that have been translated into nineteen different languages. I started out writing romance, then moved on to women’s fiction about four books ago. She Gets That From Me will be published by Berkley/Penguin Random House on September 22, 2020.
I lived in Louisiana for 27 years and love to set my books there. I now reside in Houston, Texas with my husband. We have two daughters and a very spoiled Maltipoo.
With the current state of the world, what are you doing to cope with the changes we’ve had to make with our day-to-day?
I’m used to working at home, so it’s not as much of a day-to-day change for me as it’s been for a lot of people. I try to limit the amount of time I spend looking at the news because it affects my ability to concentrate. Some days I’m better at that than others! I’m working on a new novel set in the forties and fifties. Working in that time period helps keep my focus off current world events.
Where did your love of writing come from?
I credit my parents. They were both librarians; my father was Dean of Libraries at Baylor University and Oklahoma State University, and my mother was a research librarian and then a middle school librarian. I grew up loving books and always knew I wanted to be a writer.
She Gets That From Me releases on September 22nd! If it could only be described in five words, what would they be?
I’ll give you several sets of five-word descriptions and you can take your pick: Human hearts long for connection. Complications of wanting a child. Many ways to build families. Or, in disjointed words, tender, thought-provoking, funny, uplifting, and human.
What inspired She Gets That From Me?
Years ago, I used to drive past a fertility clinic on the way to my daughters’ preschool. I’d watch the clients go in and out, and I wondered about their stories. In fact, back when I was writing romantic comedies, I wrote a book about a mix-up at a fertility center. Now that I’m writing women’s fiction, I wanted to revisit the topic and do a deeper, more focused dive into the issues, as well as into the hearts and minds of the characters.
My books usually start with “what if” questions. What if you long to have a child, but you haven’t found the right partner? What if you and your partner can’t have a child together for some physical reason? What if you’re a sperm or egg donor?
I love writing about challenging situations that force the characters to change, and nothing is more challenging or life-changing than becoming a parent. Having a child lifts you to a whole new level of love. It’s an experience filled with joy, terror, hilarity, chaos and worry—as well as the most tender moments imaginable.
Were there any challenges you faced while writing?
After I completed the first draft, I wasn’t happy with it. The story didn’t have the resonance I wanted. After discussing it with my editor, I decided to take out one of the point -of-view characters—Jessica, the infertile wife—and have the protagonist be divorced when the story began. It seemed like the perfect fix, but I just couldn’t make it work. I realized that Jessica was an integral part of the story. I needed to deepen her viewpoint, not remove it.
Do you have a favourite scene or character that you really enjoyed bringing to life?
I loved writing about Miss Margaret. I have a special affinity for writing about elderly people remembering their pasts.
Lastly, what are you currently reading and do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
I’m reading Close Up by Amanda Quick, aka Jayne Ann Krentz. She’s an amazing storyteller! I just finished Dance Away with Me by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, which I thoroughly enjoyed. I also recently read and loved Becoming Mrs. Lewis by Patti Callahan Henry and The Gifted School by Bruce Holsinger.
You can find Robin on Facebook and Instagram, as well as on her website.
