Double Clutch Interview with Liz Reinhardt

Last week, I mentioned about an upcoming interview with the lovely self-published author, Liz Reinhardt, of Double Clutch. Before I post my gushy review, I want you, my dear followers and blog friends, to get to know the awesomeness of Liz and how her baby came about. And if I'm not mistaken, tuesday (October 11th) was Brenna Blixen's 16th Birthday! Yay! I remember when I was 16. It seemed like it was just yesterday. *Tears (T)_(T)* Belated happy birthday, Blix! As a gift, I dedicate this fairly long, but double-tastic interview to you...

What is your favorite color and food?

My favorite color is definitely red. And if I had to live on one food forever, it would be cake. Chocolate specifically. Luckily I hate baking, or that's all I'd eat!

What is your favorite genre to read?

My favorite genre is the one I write; YA contemporary. I just finished Stephanie Perkin's Lola and the Boy Next Door, and I loved ever single second. I think I love it so much because that time in your life, when you're a young adult, is so full of hopes and firsts and opportunity, and it's an honest, exciting time to relive through books!

Speaking of other authors, who is your favorite?

That is a really, really hard question! As a YA author, my favorite author is Megan McCafferty, who wrote a series of books about a girl from NJ named Jessica Darling. When I read the first one, Sloppy Firsts, I was just blown away by how honest and funny it was. Jessica was unlike any teen I'd read about. She felt so real to me! And I feel like I grew up with her, reading her books. McCafferty just has a magical way of bringing her characters to life! And the guy, Marcus Flutie, is my all time YA book crush!

Who or what inspired you to write Double Clutch? Would you say Megan McCafferty's Sloppy Firsts is one of them?

Definitely one of them! But the real urge came after I read Twilight by Stefanie Meyer. I was really impressed by the fact that she literally followed her dream and wrote this book that meant so much to her. And I loved her love triangle! It inspired me to try writing my own YA love triangle. I started with a really bad vampire book! Haha! But I realized right away I was more a realistic writer!

So could you tell us the real meaning behind Double Clutch?

My best friend explained it was a running term (she was a runner in high school). Brenna winds up finding an outlet in running track because her life is crazy! And there is this idea that you can take this long breath in and breathe out twice, and I thought that was what her life was like...she had to figure out how to take it all in and give herself time, put two breaths out, let herself have time to experience everything going on around her. And Jake and Saxon are kind of at the center of all that confusion, because she likes each of them for different reasons.

Would you say the title came first before the story? The other way around? Or both?

The title came after. My best friend and I made all these lists and tried out all kinds of titles (she was my first reader!). When she told me about the term, I saw how it fit, and went back and made sure I mentioned it during the book. I'm glad you like it!

Are you and Brenna alike? If so, by how much?

Brenna and I both have Danish stepdads and amazing, crazy moms. And we're both boy crazy (though I'm only crazy over my husband ;) ). But I am not remotely artistic, athletic, or able to juggle so much stuff. So there's little bits of me in

Is there a reason as to why Brenna is an only child?

I'm not sure! I love being a sister...I think maybe it's because her parents were so focused on her. When there's a lot of kids, parents don't have time for all that attention! So, when I wrote those first scenes with her and her mother, it just felt like there wasn't room for more kids! (Sorry to my sister, Katie!) 

Have you ever done Time Share back in high school? Do you also think Brenna is crazy for doing Time Share, when she not only has to attend one school after the other but juggle her AP classes as well?

I didn't, but one of my friends did, and she struggled with a lot of the same issues Brenna had. People always judged her tech school as less important than her academic high school. I think Brenna is very sure about what she wants, and she's ambitious. It is a little crazy for her to try to juggle both, but the rewards work well for her in the end, because she gets to have all different kinds of learning experiences and meet people who are 'smart' in all different ways.

Why does it seem like most people look down on Brenna when she mentions Time Share or Tech?

Technical school kids, at least where I grew up, were looked at as not as smart because they weren't always in college track classes. But a big part of Brenna's learning experience is her realization that there are all kinds of ways to be 'smart' and that what kids at tech schools do is important in everyday life. Realizing that helps her stand up to people who think tech school is something to look down on.

Since you and Brenna are somewhat alike, do you also have anything in common with Jake or Saxon?

I have always worked, just like Jake. My first job was at 14. I was a busgirl at a diner, and I've had a job ever since. I like to think I value hard work and independence like he does. And I was a little intimidating in high school, like Saxon. I said what I thought no matter what, and might have hurt peoples' feelings without really meaning to. But, also like Saxon, I always tried to protect the people I really cared about.

Who or what inspired you to create such strong, opposite characters like Jake and Saxon?

My husband and his cousin actually have a lot of the traits Saxon and Jake have, though neither one of them is quite like either guy. They fought a lot and really cared about each other growing up, and are still good friends today. They kind of had to learn to respect each other's differences and appreciate what the other had to offer. Watching them get in trouble and work things out since we were all teenagers helped when I wrote Jake and Saxon.

Like Brenna, were you ever torn between two guys? If so, how did you deal with it?

I have to say, this has never happened to me, and I'm glad! I've had boyfriends at different times who were so different from one another, and looking back after a breakup, I'd see why certain guys were not right for me. But I never had to choose like Brenna does, and I'm glad! I don't envy her at all; I feel like whichever choice she makes, she'll always wonder if it was the right one.

Let's say you were Brenna stranded in the middle of the sea with Jake and Saxon. It's kind of like that famous scene with Jack and Rose in the movie Titanic. So if you had to choose, who would you save from drowning and why? (It seems cruel to save only one of them, but just humor me.) 

Haha! That's terrible! Brenna would definitely save herself and yell out some good advice to the other two. But,  not to dodge your question, she'd probably save Saxon because Jake is kind of a stronger person in her eyes. She knows he has a will to get things done, and he's a born fighter. No matter how tough Saxon appears to be, there's not that same survival instinct. I think Brenna would know she and Jake could make it, but Saxon would need help!

In the book, Saxon yelled one of my favorite movie lines: "Run Forest, run!" So my question is, have you ever ran like Forest Gump in your whole life?

Never! I've always wanted to be more active, but I'm insanely uncoordinated and was a huge gym slacker. I do love that movie, though!

Saxon mentioned in the book how he and Brenna were brought together by fate. Do you think that is so? Do you believe in fate?

I do, to a degree. I think people get thrown in your way for reasons that you can't explain, and Saxon and Brenna cross paths because they need to help each other grow. I also believe that you can feel so much for someone and know that person isn't remotely right for you, or isn't right for you as a partner. I think you can trust that good will come if you work hard and keep positive. I'd never leave my life up to fate!

Some say that when you're young, you don't really know what true love is. In other words, what you think is "love" is really just an infatuation or the result of the moment. Without giving too much away, do you think that's the case with Brenna and the person she chooses to be with?

Ah, love! I think there's all kinds of levels of love, and what you feel when you experience first love is one kind. But you just don't understand love until you feel other types, and until you really know and love yourself. Brenna, Jake, and Saxon are all young and all need to get a better handle on their own lives and make their own plans. Brenna's choices will change and she'll test the waters when the 'love' she chose stands in the way of her following her heart. It seems callous, but that's how it has to be. You need to know yourself before you can commit to another person, and all three of the characters need to live more before they can be sure about love.

You mentioned in your Biography that you especially like to read romance books that are smarter and hotter. Was that your intention for Double Clutch from the very beginning or did it just happen along the way?

That was my intention. I have always been really honest and open about the way I tell things. I know that it makes people uncomfortable sometimes, especially the 'hotter' part, but making people feel comfortable or being careful about feelings isn't why I write. I write to tell the truest story I can and to do justice to my characters. A lot of YA fiction glosses over parts of growing up, or will mention them, but with no details. It's part of our culture to be reserved that way, but, on the other hand, for many young people, it's a relevant part of their experience. I don't try to hide that or cover it up or talk around it. I trust that intelligent young people know the difference between reality, fiction, and the choices that work for them.

Saxon and Jake are not only one the smartest and hottest fictional characters I've ever come across with, but they're also very upfront and honest with their feelings towards Brenna. Have you ever come across such guys in real life? Were you ever afraid that these boys would come out more fictional or too good to be true?

Thank you! What an awesome compliment! I have to admit, my husband is a huge real life inspiration. We met fairly young and have grown up a lot together, and he's always been very honest about things other guys felt too shy or too cool to talk about. He is my best friend, and I thought about our dating experiences a lot when I wrote this book.

Did you ever have a problem writing both characters because of their similarities and differences? And were you ever confused which one is which? (I was!)

Haha! My husband can't stand one of the characters. When he told me why, it made me laugh, because he thought he was describing a bunch of a fictional character's flaws, when, in reality, they were a lot of things he did himself. I think Jake and Saxon are two sides of the same coin. What they hate in each other is ironic, because they have really similar flaws and really similar strengths. Brenna is one of the few people who can see that!

Brenna is also smart, beautiful, and honest. Do you think that's what attracted the boys to her? Or is there something more to Brenna that meets the eye?

I definitely think it's her confidence and the fact that she's very comfortable with herself. Lots of girls are beautiful and smart, but they don't always have the confidence that lets their true beauty shine through.

Brenna seems to believe that she is smart and beautiful, but she doesn't let it get in her head. Do you think that's a key to a strong, likable young adult female protagonist?

I think so. I think every single one of my friends is smart and beautiful...and maybe that's because they know how amazing they are. Brenna isn't necessarily a model or the top of her class, but she likes who she is and is happy with herself. I always, always love that in a person.

Brenna is indeed mature for her age, but she still made some decisions that some might argue as stupid, inappropriate or a little too risky. Do you think her actions were only normal for her age? And do you think her parents would still trust her after that?

I am aware some people find Brenna's sexuality a little off-putting, and I know that it's different for different people. But she is honest and open about an aspect of young adulthood that is very common and very much not talked about, especially in the US. Frank, open discussions about sexuality are uncommon and make a lot of people uncomfortable, but they are a part of growing up that is perfectly normal, especially considering Brenna turns sixteen in the book. As far as things like skipping school or sneaking out (or in), those are also part of young rebellion and are normal as far as the experiences I have observed and had for people her age. Her parents would be upset, of course, but parents are there to curb some rebellion so their children don't get into too much trouble.

If you could describe Double Clutch in five words or in one whole sentence, what would it be and why? What sets Double Clutch apart from other YA romance novels out there? Why should people read your book?

Double Clutch is pure honesty. I think Double Clutch takes risks. It lets the reader get to know the characters, good and bad, flaws and strengths. It doesn't shy away from reality, and it doesn't preach. Most of all, it's true to the characters and their growing pains.

If there's a lesson to be learned from reading Double Clutch, what would it be and why?

I think Double Clutch is all about being true to yourself. It's about how life is full of tough choices, mistakes, uncertainties, changes, and unfairness, but it's also full of wonder, happiness, fun, and growth. Everything all tangled together is what makes any life amazing.

I've always wanted to ask an author this question: If you could grant one wish to Brenna, Saxon, Jake, or any of the characters in Double Clutch, what would it be and why?

Okay, I love this question so much, because I've thought about it a lot. I would allow each of them to switch places with the other for one day, 'Freaky Friday' style. I've always wondered what it would be like to spend a day in someone I care about's shoes, and that would be the gift I'd give them. I think it would be an amazing, eye-opening experience and really make them grow and appreciate each other.

If you had the chance to go back, would you add and/or change some things in Double Clutch? Or are you fully content and happy with how things turned out?

I am fully content. There are parts that are not quite perfect, but I like that. I think that's what life is about. There have been quite a few reviews, and it's funny, because some of the things that some people didn't like much were exactly what other people loved! In the end, I know I have to be true to myself and the characters...and I have the opportunity to tell their story across a few books, so I can delve deeper into aspects I didn't get to explore in this book!

What advice would you give to aspiring writers who wish to get published?

I would say write as much as you can. All the time. And let people you admire/trust read your work. When you get back their comments, take a day or two and don't even look at them. Write the person who looked at your work a really nice thank you. And then open their comments. You will probably feel like they don't get you or don't get your work! That's okay. Let those feelings go. Really look at your work and what they said. Try their suggestions and be honest about if it helped your story. Not all advice will work, but always be willing to grow and learn. There is such a huge, amazing community of writers and editors and readers out there. Don't be afraid to share your work with those people and listen to what they tell you about your work!

Also, if you don't want to do the self-publish route, start researching agents and query letter writing (it's an art!). Traditional publishing is a wonderful avenue, and it means that you'll have an agent to guide you and help you with your writing.

Most of all, write! Write all the time! And read! Read a ton, read everything, read as much as you can. Those two things are what will make you a better writer!

If Double Clutch were adapted into film or television, which actors (famous or not) would you cast as Brenna, Saxon, and Jake?

Ooh, I love this question! Brenna would definitely be Emily Browning (Lemony Snicket, Sucker Punch). I think she could do cool, smart, and sexy all at once, and I would love to see her in more movies!

Saxon would be Thomas McDonell (Prom) because he gets that whole dark, handsome, full of himself, smoldering thing down perfectly. And he could do both sexy and vulnerable, which is good for Saxon!

Jake would be Freddie Stroma (Cormac McLaggen in Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince) because he has that light, sweet, sexy good boy look that can melt your heart. But he seems like he could have a little edge, too!

Emily Browning would be a perfect Brenna Blixen! She's a very good actor; and, without a doubt, could play Blix to the T. And I'm already swooning just thinking of Freddie and Thomas as Jake and Saxon. If this team-up ever happens, I'm definitely tuning in!

Lastly, I want to say thank you to Liz Reinhardt for being patient with me throughout this interview. I had so much fun, and I hope there's a part two with Junk Miles! I hope you guys enjoyed this interview as well! For more info on Liz and her book: check out her lovely blog @Team Unpubbed, become a friend/fan @Goodreads, and follow her on Twitter! Don't forget to look out for my Double Clutch review and music playlist next week!