Interview with Penny Reid, Author of Drama King

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Drama King?

I wanted to write a hero with massive sunshine, golden retriever energy, and a heroine who was a career focused, pragmatic grump. While pondering these character archetypes and imagining all the different fun scenarios I could place them in, I decided being stranded during Christmas Eve in a shack during a Texas snowstorm (a la 2021) would make for some hilarious situations. Basically, I wanted to write a fun book, and that’s what I (hope I) did.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Drama King, what would they be?

Cyrus would definitely be ‘That’s Life’ by Frank Sinatra, and Bathsheba is 100% ‘Bad Reputation’ by Joan Jett.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

Over the summer, I read a ton of non-fiction biographies. Before that, I fell deep in an adult romantic fantasy hole. Last year, it was all science fiction all the time. Randomly, I’ll check out AO3 for the fanfic recommendations, fandom doesn’t matter, I just love the passion of fanfic writers. That said, I very rarely read anything similar to what I write (adult contemporary romantic comedy).

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

‘Unknown Beloved’ by Amy Harmon ‘Happy Go Lucky’ by David Sedaris ‘The Three Musketeers’ by Alexandre Dumas (buddy read in January with my 13 year old daughter).

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Oh . . . this is a difficult question. Can I say any scene with the hero? I felt like he was a scene stealer. But if I had to choose one, there’s a scene that takes place during the snowstorm where a rattlesnake’s hibernation spot is revealed. That scene was so much fun.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I have to be wearing big, noise cancelling headphones in order to write. I typically don’t listen to music, but the headphones have to be on my ears. Also, and perhaps this is TMI, but in order to write love scenes, I have to be tipsy. Sorry, not sorry. Keeping it real.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

In life: “Stay away from the normals.” While writing: “You can’t edit what you don’t have written.”

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Masculinity shouldn’t always have to be associated with stoicism, just like femininity shouldn’t always have to be associated with timidity.

Penny Reid is the author of the new book Drama King

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