Today I have the great honor of helping to promote Abbie Emmons debut novel 100 Days of Sunlight, by interviewing the amazing author herself. Let's get started.
First off, meet the girl:
Abbie Emmons has been writing stories ever since she could hold a pencil. What started out as an intrinsic love for storytelling has turned into her lifelong passion. There’s nothing she likes better than writing (and reading) stories that are both heartrending and humorous, with a touch of cute romance and a poignant streak of truth running through them.
Abbie is also a YouTuber, singer/songwriter, blogger, traveler, filmmaker, big dreamer, and professional waffle-eater. When she’s not writing or dreaming up new stories, you can find her road-tripping to national parks or binge-watching BBC Masterpiece dramas in her cozy Vermont home with a cup of tea and her fluffy white lap dog, Pearl.
If you want to see Abbie in her element (ranting about stories) just type her name into YouTube and search.
And then we have the synopsis:
When 16-year-old poetry blogger Tessa Dickinson is involved in a car accident and loses her eyesight for 100 days, she feels like her whole world has been turned upside-down.
Terrified that her vision might never return, Tessa feels like she has nothing left to be happy about. But when her grandparents place an ad in the local newspaper looking for a typist to help Tessa continue writing and blogging, an unlikely answer knocks at their door: Weston Ludovico, a boy her age with bright eyes, an optimistic smile…and no legs.
Knowing how angry and afraid Tessa is feeling, Weston thinks he can help her. But he has one condition: no one can tell Tessa about his disability. And because she can’t see him, she treats him with contempt — screaming at him to get out of her house and never come back. But for Weston, it’s the most amazing feeling: to be treated like a normal person, not just a sob story. So he comes back. Again and again and again.
Tessa spurns Weston’s “obnoxious optimism”, convinced that he has no idea what she’s going through. But Weston knows exactly how she feels and reaches into her darkness to show her that there is more than one way to experience the world. As Tessa grows closer to Weston, she finds it harder and harder to imagine life without him — and Weston can’t imagine life without her. But he still hasn’t told her the truth, and when Tessa’s sight returns he’ll have to make the hardest decision of his life: vanish from Tessa’s world…or overcome his fear of being seen.
100 Days of Sunlight is a poignant and heartfelt novel by debut author Abbie Emmons. If you like sweet contemporary romance and strong family themes then you’ll love this touching story of hope, healing, and getting back up when life knocks you down.
Next comes the interview:
How long did it take you to finish it from the time you got the idea to the day you finished editing it?
First off, meet the girl:
Abbie Emmons has been writing stories ever since she could hold a pencil. What started out as an intrinsic love for storytelling has turned into her lifelong passion. There’s nothing she likes better than writing (and reading) stories that are both heartrending and humorous, with a touch of cute romance and a poignant streak of truth running through them.
Abbie is also a YouTuber, singer/songwriter, blogger, traveler, filmmaker, big dreamer, and professional waffle-eater. When she’s not writing or dreaming up new stories, you can find her road-tripping to national parks or binge-watching BBC Masterpiece dramas in her cozy Vermont home with a cup of tea and her fluffy white lap dog, Pearl.
If you want to see Abbie in her element (ranting about stories) just type her name into YouTube and search.
And then we have the synopsis:
When 16-year-old poetry blogger Tessa Dickinson is involved in a car accident and loses her eyesight for 100 days, she feels like her whole world has been turned upside-down.
Terrified that her vision might never return, Tessa feels like she has nothing left to be happy about. But when her grandparents place an ad in the local newspaper looking for a typist to help Tessa continue writing and blogging, an unlikely answer knocks at their door: Weston Ludovico, a boy her age with bright eyes, an optimistic smile…and no legs.
Knowing how angry and afraid Tessa is feeling, Weston thinks he can help her. But he has one condition: no one can tell Tessa about his disability. And because she can’t see him, she treats him with contempt — screaming at him to get out of her house and never come back. But for Weston, it’s the most amazing feeling: to be treated like a normal person, not just a sob story. So he comes back. Again and again and again.
Tessa spurns Weston’s “obnoxious optimism”, convinced that he has no idea what she’s going through. But Weston knows exactly how she feels and reaches into her darkness to show her that there is more than one way to experience the world. As Tessa grows closer to Weston, she finds it harder and harder to imagine life without him — and Weston can’t imagine life without her. But he still hasn’t told her the truth, and when Tessa’s sight returns he’ll have to make the hardest decision of his life: vanish from Tessa’s world…or overcome his fear of being seen.
100 Days of Sunlight is a poignant and heartfelt novel by debut author Abbie Emmons. If you like sweet contemporary romance and strong family themes then you’ll love this touching story of hope, healing, and getting back up when life knocks you down.
Next comes the interview:
How long did it take you to finish it from the time you got the idea to the day you finished editing it?
About 2.5 years. The idea first sparked in spring of 2017 and I thought about it all summer until NaNoWriMo, when I wrote the first draft. I wrote it in 27 days (still my personal record!) and felt really good about it. After that, it was just editing, editing, and more editing. Then, at last, in May 2019 I made the big announcement!
Which came first, the plot or the characters?
Kind of both at the same time. Usually when an idea for a story premise sparks in my brain, it mainly focuses on the characters. I immediately knew I wanted to write about a girl who temporarily loses her eyesight and a different-abled boy who keeps a secret from her. This whole premise just kind of popped into my head one day, quite literally like a lightbulb turning on.
Where did you go for inspiration?
Inward. Of course I made a playlist and a Pinterest aesthetic board, but most of my inspiration came from internalizing my characters’ feelings SO MUCH until I felt like I was them. That’s an important part of my plotting process – not so much plotting the events, but placing myself in the shoes of the characters and feeling what they might feel.
What is your favorite writing beverage?
TEA. Preferably Yorkshire Gold with milk and maple syrup. I know I’m supposed to drink water and stuff, but usually I just drink too much tea instead. (because tea has water in it, right??)
Do you like writing in sunny or rainy weather best?
Oh my gosh this is such a hard question. I like both, for different reasons. Basically, I like the weather to match the mood of the scene I’m writing. Sunny days are so bright and happy, so of course I love them – but rainy days are so cozy and moody, they are perfect for writing. I can’t choose!
Who was your favorite character to write?
Both my protagonists were awesome to write. They’re so different from each other and there's a bit of myself in both of them… but I have to say my favorite was Weston. (Big surprise, right?) I love Weston for so many reasons, and he might just be my favorite fictional character I’ve ever created?? I know, I’m not supposed to play favorites. But Weston holds a special place in my heart. I loved writing his journey, both external and internal, his struggles, his victories, and his “obnoxious optimism”. Weston is literal sunshine in human form and I hope readers will love him just as much as I do.
What message are you hoping to pass on your readers?
I want to make my readers feel hopeful, seen, and capable of anything. I want this book to be a ray of sunshine in their life, but also whisper of encouragement, a battlecry: there’s nothing you can’t do! I hope readers will take away the message that, no matter what life throws at you, no matter how many times it knocks you down… you are always strong enough to get back up.
What was your favorite part to write?
I loved writing this whole book, so it’s really difficult to choose a favorite part! But I will say that I especially loved all the family relationships – Weston and his brothers, Tessa and her grandparents… I love writing emotional family and friendship elements, so these scenes were some of my favorites to write.
And lastly, how does it feel to be a published author?
It feels AMAZING!! Still kind of surreal… I can’t believe it’s finally happening! I’m just so grateful to you and the other blog tour participants and every reader who has picked up 100 Days of Sunlight. My heart is spilling over with joy and gratitude! May this be the beginning of something very awesome. :)
Thank you so much for having me on your lovely blog today, Bethi! It was a pleasure chatting with you about all things writing. :D
Some sites you might want to visit:
Buy this book on Amazon
Some sites you might want to visit:
Buy this book on Amazon
