Our Writers Who Read series continues this week with young adult romantic comedy author Tellulah Darling. I highly recommend her book Sam Cruz’s Infallible Guide to Getting Girls. It’s hilarious and fun, and I love the voice of the male character.
Who are you?
Tellulah Darling
noun
1. YA romantic comedy author because her first kiss sucked and she’s compensating.
2. Alter ego of former screenwriter.
3. Sassy minx.
Writes about: where love meets comedy. Awkwardness ensues.
What are three beloved books you first read before the age of 12?
A LIttle Princess, Island of the Blue Dolphins and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
What is one book you are always recommending to friends and family (and maybe the local barista) as an adult?
There are so many! Lately though, I am constantly pimping out Melina Marchetta’s phenomenal Lumatere Chronicles: Finnikin of the Rock, Froi of the Exiles and Quintana of Charyn.
What is your book kryptonite–those unique elements in a book, beyond just great writing and three-dimensional characters, that make you unable to resist reading?
A witty steamy romance. Full stop.
What is your ideal time and place to read?
Not sure I understand the question. Is there ever a time and a place NOT to read?
Which books have had the biggest influence on your writing?
I don’t know if I could list off specifics. I think every book I’ve read – whether I liked it or not – influenced me. Either because I was so blown away by a playfulness with language or incredible wit or heartwrenching drama or a fantastic vividness of worldbuilding, or because any of those elements among others were so awful in what I read I knew that I didn’t want to do that.
How do you balance reading and writing in your life?
I’m always reading. But what I do find interesting is that if I’m really stuck on a story problem, I don’t want to read heavy literary fiction or a genre book that is going to require a lot of heavy lifting mentally or emotionally. I want something that is pure escapist pleasure so my brain can work in the background on whatever I need to address.
Choose your preferred book form: ebook, physical book, or audio book?
I can’t believe I’m saying this because I was such a print book snob but ebook. I love my kindle. Love how light it is. Love I can read all my wonderful genre books without the annoying judgy looks I get in public from both strangers and co-workers. That said, the Amazon one-click button is really dangerous because my mind treats it like a library check out which at the end of the month, when I get my credit card bill, I remember it is not. 🙂
Do you consciously plan your future reading–i.e., set book goals, keep a TBR list, participate in book challenges or book clubs? Why or why not?
I do have a TBR list but I don’t read those books in any kind of order. It’s more a reminder for myself that I wanted to check out a certain title at some point. This is the first year I’ve participated in a book challenge. My friends at Fiction Fare are running a real book challenge to see how many print books we still read. I was curious about that, given how much I read digitally so I’m doing that this year.
What are you reading now?
Good question! I read a ton of fabulous books in May and more recently a ton of meh ones. So I’m actually stumped for my next read. Anyone got any good suggestions?
You can find out more about Tellulah at her website, Facebook page, Twitter, or Goodreads.