Hello, my name is Carla, and I am so happy to be interviewing you today. Can you tell readers a little about yourself ?
My name is Elise Bryant, and I write books about Black kids finding themselves and falling in love. Before I was an author, I was a high school special education teacher for many years, and that gave me a lot of respect for the resilience, humor, bravery and brilliance of teenagers, which I hope is reflected in my books.
When did your love of writing begin? Did you always know you wanted to be an author?
I’ve loved writing ever since I was a little kid and have always dreamed of being an author. I spent my weekends filling notebooks with stories and used to play Little Women at recess with my friends (we would argue over who got to be Jo). It was hard to find the kind of stories I wanted to read with a Black girl like me at the center, so I wrote to make myself the star of big adventures, sweeping fantasy, and the swoony-est of romances.
Speaking of writing, what does your writing process consist of? Do you have any quirky or unique routines when writing?
I spend a lot of time dreaming about my characters and worlds before I ever start drafting. What they’re thinking, what they’re doing…what they’re wearing! And eventually, once I have that character’s voice down – can hear it in my head when I’m going to sleep at night and waking up in the morning – I get a lot more structured. I write very detailed outlines and strictly stick to my daily word count goals based on my deadline. It helps the whole scary process of writing an entire book feel manageable. As far as quirky, I light a candle at the beginning of every writing session, and I’ve started carrying around specific crystals for the book I’m currently drafting.
What’s something you can tell us about your upcoming novel, Reggie and Delilah’s Year of Falling, that we may not already know?
I actually was the lead singer of a punk rock band in my late teens! Like Delilah, I did it because a boy asked me to, and it was very out of character for my shy, anxious self. A lot of Delilah’s experiences in the book are based on my years navigating that scene as a Black girl – the good and the bad.
According to the synopsis, Reggie is a self- proclaimed Blerd, much like me. Do you belong to any fandoms?
I had to leave behind my biggest fandom from my childhood because of the hatred and transphobia shown by its creator. But I wrote a lot of fan fiction growing up, and I just love being around people who love things – earnestly and unapologetically. My husband has played D&D since he was a kid, and now he DMs for a group that meets at our house regularly. I’ve eavesdropped on their campaigns for so long, and I really love the collaborative storytelling and how the game is an expression of their friendship. When his in-person sessions were put on pause because of the pandemic, he planned a campaign for my daughter and I, and Reggie’s character blossomed from that.
Out of all of the characters you’ve written thus far, which would you say is most like you and why?
There are definitely parts of me in all of my characters. Tessa’s imposter syndrome and anxiety, the pressure Lenore feels to make her parents proud, Reggie and Delilah’s exploration of their identities…so basically, all the things I’m working through in therapy? Ha! But truly, I often work through questions that I have in my own life when I’m writing my books, and I find some unexpected answers for myself through their resolutions. I hope that makes my characters feel authentic and relatable for readers.
Tell us how Reggie and Delilah came to be. What was your inspiration behind this story and what do you want readers to take away from it?
I was inspired by my experience singing in a punk band as a teenager. I was often the only Black person in the room. And sometimes that made me feel like I was on display, but not in the way I was choosing to be by performing. Instead, it was like I was a token or a novelty to them. And then there were others who would tell me I wasn’t really Black, because of how I dressed or talked or the other things I liked. I wanted to explore all those complicated feelings in this book through Delilah’s punk rock journey and Reggie’s love of D&D: What it’s like to love something that doesn’t always love you back and make a space for yourself anyway. How difficult it can be to push past the fear of rejection and others’ preconceived notions of you to be boldly and authentically yourself. We’re often told that there’s only one way to be Black, or that Black people don’t belong in certain spaces. I want readers to take away from this book that Black kids can like what they like and belong anywhere they want to be.
If you had to name one song that would be on the “Reggie and Delilah’s Year of Falling” playlist, what would it be?
“Invisible String” by Taylor Swift was my first spark of inspiration for this story, and there are lots of nods to her and that song throughout the book. “Oh Bondage Up Yours!” by X-Ray Spex and “Lovely Day” by Bill Withers would also definitely be on the playlist – it’s a very eclectic mix!
Do you currently have any other projects in the works, and would you ever consider writing in a different genre?
I’m working on another YA rom-com set in the same world as my first three books, with a character you’ve already met as the star! But my next book is actually going to be a different genre and age category. I’m really excited (and also slightly terrified) to see what my readers think!
I can’t wait! Thank you so much for participating in my Q & A.
The Rantings of a Book Addict 