It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Amy L. Bernstein, author of Fran, The Second Time Around

Author’s Bio: Amy L. Bernstein writes for the page, the stage, and forms in between. Her fantasy novel, Ell, is due to be published in July 2021, followed by a second novel, The Potrero Complex, next summer. Amy’s plays have been performed and read in the U.S. and the UK. She publishes regularly through publications hosted on Medium. Amy was a 2020 finalist for the Petrichor Prize for fiction, and her YA novel, Fran, the Second Time Around, won the YA category in the Maryland Writers Association’s 2020 Keep it Short novel writing contest.

Deliah Lawrence: What inspired you to write your book?

Amy L. Bernstein: At the time I wrote Fran, I was parenting a teenager and grew fascinated by the emotional issues that teens address as they figure out the world. I was especially interested in how teens cope with tragedy, the ways in which they are resilient but also benefit from assistance when the world feels out of control. 

DL: How do you handle writer’s block?

ALB: When I’m stuck on a project, I will turn to something else entirely. For example, if I’m stuck on a novel, I’ll try to write a nonfiction essay. Sometimes I turn to writing notes about the thing I’m stuck on—outlines, plots, character needs, etc. And sometimes, I’ll just take a break, walk away for a few days, and then get back to it when I’m ready. 

DL: Describe your writing process?

ALB: I try to write at least a bit every day, though I don’t always succeed, and sometimes, I just need a break. I write best in the morning and afternoons. I’m useless at night. I’ve been working on developing my writing “muscles” so that I can stay focused for longer stretches. It takes practice and a painful amount of discipline. Some days are better than others. 

DL: What do you think makes a good story?

ALB: I’m a bit old-fashioned in that I love strong, well-drawn characters that avoid stereotypes; high stakes and big conflicts; rich settings (place and time); and a well-paced story that I can follow. I especially love complexity and ambiguity without sacrificing clarity. I can intellectually appreciate experimental work that dispenses with all these things, but I don’t often read it. 

DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

ALB: There is no one book or author I would cite. I majored in English in college, with a focus on Victorian literature, which means I like big, meaty books that tell a sweeping story (Thackeray, Galsworthy, Eliot, James, etc.) or pointed slice-of-life (Austen). Nowadays, I also love reading about other cultures, so I enjoy novels by Chinese, Japanese, and South Korean authors, contemporary Black writers, and others whose lived experiences differ from mine. I also make a point of reading books by women. 

DL: If you were hosting a dinner party which three authors would be your dream guests and why?

ALB: I dread this question. There are many trios I could concoct, but I’ll pick just one that would thrill me to no end: Colson Whitehead, Henry James, and Emily Dickinson. Whitehead because I want to grill him on how he writes such extraordinarily clear, pristine, heart-stopping fiction with not a word wasted. James because his life and work have fascinated me for decades; I think he’s great at parties. And Dickinson because she is a genius who hid her identity, and I want to get her to open up a bit by plying her with sweet wine. 

DL: What are the keys to success in marketing your book(s)?

ALB: No matter how an author is published today (e.g., traditional vs. self-published), it’s essential to maintain a presence on social media, engage with readers on various platforms (from Goodreads to blogs), and make your own opportunities by, for example, finding virtual book tours, arranging bookstore readings, getting booked on literary podcasts, getting writers to blurb your books, and so forth. It’s an all-hands-on-deck strategy that is, like or not, the only way to get a book noticed, unless you happen to shoot onto the bestseller list. 

DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers?

ALB: Write with passion and purpose. Don’t even think about commercial potential or the marketplace at the outset; focus on the story you’re telling and make it as interesting and compelling as possible. Be open to constructive criticism from trusted sources (not necessarily your best friend, by the way). Importantly, don’t be discouraged by rejection, as it goes with the territory and you have to take the losses along with the wins. 

DL: Would you like to share an excerpt from Fran, The Second Time Around?

ALB: Sure, here you go:

Fran Singer is a regular 8th grader relishing her role in the school play, enjoying hanging out with her best friend and thinking of ways to steer clear of her annoying little brother. . . when suddenly, in a matter of seconds, everything changes. A tragic accident with major consequences shoots her out of her ordinary world into one racked with guilt, shame, and complete alienation. Starting over after all that isn’t easy. . . but is it possible? Will her life be better, the second time around?

DL Where can readers learn more about you and purchase your book(s)?

ALB: They can learn more information here:

• Website: https://amywrites.live
• Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/2zVkO7Z
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wordberg
• Instagram: @amylbernstein
• Book Buy Links: https://amzn.to/33UO1vC, Fran on Kobo.com

DL: Thanks so much for being here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.

ALB: Thank you!