Failing Gravity – Book Tour and Giveaway

Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?

I have always loved stories. Growing up in Kentucky where bonfires were a weekend occurrence, I grew up hearing the stories from my family. I think it was in second grade when I tried writing my first novel, a couple page book about wolves and falling stars, but I was hooked ever since. In college I studied journalism and told stories about the interesting people in Eastern Kentucky. I rediscovered my love of fiction writing in 2020 when a Dungeons and Dragons game ended and I couldn’t let the character go. She became a superhero and her story became my first novel, Wildfire.

Where were you born/grew up at?

I was born in Oklahoma City but grew up in Cincinnati Ohio and Carlisle Kentucky, a small tiny town with about 2,000 people. There’s a 3 Dog Night song called Never Been to Spain and the lyric goes “I’ve never bend to heaven, but I’ve been to Oklahoma. They tell me I was born there, but I really don’t remember.” That song has always felt sort of like my own personal theme song.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I’ve always thought of myself as a writer, but it was considering myself an author that was the tricky part and something I struggled with. When I finished my first full manuscript I thought I should call myself an author, but that didn’t feel right. I thought the same when I signed with my agent, got my publishing deal, even when I approved of my first book’s cover and interior, but I still didn’t feel like I deserved to call myself an author. I just wrote a love story about a superhero, nothing groundbreaking. I feel like I’m still reminding myself that I am an author—even four books later.

Do you have a favorite movie?

My favorite movie is the Digimon Movie. The English dub is a mashup of three separate films and it’s always my go to when I’m not feeling well or need a pick me up. Its humor and soundtrack shaped me into the person I am today.

Which of your novels can you imagine made into a movie?

I don’t watch a lot of movies, but I do watch a lot of anime and that’s how I picture Failing Gravity. In my head, it’s a perfectly contained 17 episode series with a killer soundtrack and animated like something from the 90’s.

What inspired you to write this book?

Failing Gravity was inspired by the Bad Omens’ album THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND. I became obsessed with the album, and every time I listened to it I could picture Roman, the main character, in the world of Icaria. I couldn’t get it out of my head so I started writing it all down. It felt like a fever dream, the writing happened so fast.

What can we expect from you in the future?

I can’t share too much, but there is another book coming soon. It’s a story of friendship and bravery and set in one of my favorite places. I’m really excited to share this upcoming book with the world.

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in Failing Gravity?

Roman Koa is the main character of Failing Gravity and he’s a bit of a mean guy. His world has shaped him into this rough-around-the-edges fighter who refuses to get close to anyone. He’s the meanest character I’ve ever written and it wasn’t until the book released that I realized why. While writing this book, my father passed away in a car accident and I shut down. Writing Failing Gravity I, through Roman, learned how to love and get close to people again.

Oliver Flint is the ex-best friend to Roman and he is everything that Roman isn’t: kind, compassionate, and willing to see the good in everyone. There’s a seen in the book where Roman looks at Oliver the same way he looks at the sun. I won’t spoil the ending, but these moments became some of my favorites in Failing Gravity.

Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

Writing Failing Gravity let me find hope. It let me remember the goodness of the world, and that loving your friends and family is worth it even if they could be taken from you. I hope readers can find that light in Failing Gravity and if they are struggling with their own darkness then they can recapture hope.

Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?

I had a pretty strong grip on the story while writing it. It felt like my characters and I were on the same page throughout the plot with the same end goal…. All except for a certain girl who had a crush on a certain boy. She highjacked a chapter so fast I didn’t realize what was happening until they both ended up at a cyberpunk coffee shop for a terrible awkward first date. The scene remained in the final draft. It became a pivotal moment so I’m greatful for the detour.

Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.

Failing Gravity is a high-octane, cyberpunk adventure that will leave you breathless.

Have you written any other books that are not published?

I have written so many books that will never see the light of day. Some are full manuscripts and others are half drafts that feel like more ideas than actual books. Every book has taught me something though so I am glad I wrote them all. I follow my writing muse wherever it wants to go—it’s always a good time.  

If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?

I feel like the easy answer is trash since part of the world is a junk town, but that would make a terrible candle. One of the characters is related to daffodils so I would like to say that. Daffodils and motor oil.

What did you edit out of this book?

I’m an underwriter so I never have to worry about cutting things, only expanding. Failing Gravity is a short book, probably too short, but it told the story that needed to be told and I didn’t want to jeopardize the story for added fluff.