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Welcome to the Tuesday Author Interview with Christina Boyd for the Who, What, When, Where, and Why.
I have been a fan of author Meredith Schorr's since her early writing days. Maybe as early as 2015... Meredith is the ultimate New Yorker and writes what she knows. I always enjoy her stories set in New York, about a young New Yorker finding love and coming into her own. It's been exciting to watch her star rise from all aspects of the publishing trenches. And I love how her writing has evolved as she has grown as an author, too.
CHRISTINA: What comes first, plot, or characters?
MEREDITH: I almost always come up with the premise/hook first and then create the characters around it. My first book on submission with my agent didn’t sell and the overarching reason was it wasn’t “big” enough, and so now, making sure my premise is strong, fresh, and original is my top priority.
CHRISTINA: That's a good nugget to remember.
Is there one of your characters you most identify with and why?
MEREDITH: I’m going to cheat a little and name two characters I identify with!
The first is Adina in my debut As Seen on TV. Adina blamed “the big city” for many of her problems and romanticized life in a small town based on what she saw in Hallmark movies , small town romance novels, and Gilmore Girls. I, too, often blamed my dating troubles on Manhattan being too big with too many options. Adina was certain the grass had to be greener in a cozy, small town, something I often wondered myself. By the end of the book (spoiler alert!) we both had a newfound appreciation for Manhattan and big-city life.
I identify with Molly from Someone Just Like You in that we are both the youngest of three sisters and the peacemaker of the family. We both want everyone to get along. Although I’m not nearly as detailed and stringent as Molly in terms of planning, “winging” my life makes me a bit twitchy. Also, Molly is a non-practicing lawyer and I’m a paralegal with twenty-five years of experience.
CHRISTINA: What is your current project or latest release?
MEREDITH: I’m currently getting my 2024 romantic comedy, RoomMating, ready to turn into my editor. It’s set in Manhattan and is about a Gen Z graduate student who lives with a boomer to save money. When the boomer’s grandson moves in as well to “find himself,” they butt heads but ultimately (of course) fall in love. The main characters, Sabrina and Adam, bond over their love of reading. It’s a love letter to Manhattan, libraries, and grandmothers. I’m currently fascinated with multi-generational friendships, and it was fun to write the relationship between twenty-four-year-old Sabrina and Marcia, her seventy-year-old roommate.
CHRISTINA: Sounds yummy! Hope the revisions flow smoothly.
What makes you get up in the morning? What do you love?
MEREDITH: It used to be coffee until I had to give it up due to a pre-ulcer condition. No worries though, I still drink Chai and Matcha lattes for a lighter caffeine fix! But what really wakes me up is knowing I’ll get to work on my book first thing. This is especially true during edits when I have a game plan and am excited to get those changes on the page. Writing in the morning rather than jumping directly to my day job makes it so much easier to get out of bed.
CHRISTINA: What's your best advice for new writers, ehem, me?
MEREDITH: Read widely in your genre. Seek out honest feedback. And for those on the traditional publishing path, hold tightly to your dreams but not necessarily a particular manuscript. Sometimes it’s not the right time for a particular book and rather than continue to revise/pitch it for years, write something else. Even after signing with an agent, there’s no guarantee your book will sell.
The book that got me my agent was rejected by all the major editors. I was devastated but I focused on my dream: selling the book to an advance-paying, print distributing publishing house. I shelved that book and wrote another one. I still think about the first book occasionally, but it wasn’t a waste because it got me my wonderful agent, who never lost faith in me. None of our books are wastes because they help us grow as writers and hopefully bring us closer to our goals.
CHRISTINA: Wow. Just wow. What you just said. I feel like you are speaking right to me. Thank you. Down here in the querying trenches is a rollercoaster ride.
If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?
MEREDITH: A developmental editor. I’m very good at it! Although I used to offer freelance manuscript critiques through my website, I gave it up because I had too much on my plate. I’ve mentored two authors so far through Author Mentor Match and Smooch Pit, helping them revise their novels through multiple rounds. I am proud to say both of my mentees received multiple offers of representation from top agents and one went on to sell her book to a Big 5 imprint at auction. I love knowing I had a small role in making that happen.
CHRISTINA: What a nice feather in your cap! Congratulations to all.
Do you hide any secrets in your novels only a select few might know?
MEREDITH: I do! I used the names of my maternal grandparents as characters in As Seen on TV. I use numbers and birthdays as a shout-out to friends, both alive and no longer with us. I can’t think of anything else specific right now, but the answer is definitely yes! Finally, I’m known for my pop-culture references that might not land with everyone but IYKYK.
CHRISTINA: Ha! Excellent. I can't wait for the day when those near and dear read my published book and find the little Easter eggs or see their name as a character.
I wish you much success with this next book. I thought it a terrifc page turner. I've been a longtime fan and love seeing you reach each milestone. I'm always cheering for you!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
A born-and-bred New Yorker, Meredith Schorr discovered her passion for writing when she began to enjoy drafting work-related emails way more than she was probably supposed to. After trying her hand penning children’s stories and blogging her personal experiences, Meredith found her calling writing chick lit and humorous women’s fiction. She secures much inspiration from her day job as a hardworking trademark paralegal and her still-single (but looking) status. Meredith is a loyal New York Yankees fan, an avid runner, and an unashamed television addict.
Connect with Meredith through her website and social media.
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