Please welcome Rebecca Serle to the blog for this Delightful Debutantes Q&A! Our latest debutante is the author of
When You Were Mine a modern day retelling of Romeo and Juliet through the eyes of Romeo's jilted first love Rosaline.
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| photo credit: George Billard |
What inspired you to re-imagine the story of Romeo and Juliet through Rosaline’s eyes?
The idea came to me one cold winter night in January at my best friend's apartment. I was heartbroken and we were discussing love, and love stories, and Romeo and Juliet came up. Suddenly it was like "whatever happened to Rosaline?" I knew I had to tell her story--- I understood it. I felt like the girl who had gotten left behind.
Romeo and Juliet is labeled ‘the greatest love story ever told’ but it’s also a good lesson in what not to do when you’re in a relationship. What do you think the star-crossed lovers could have done differently to make things work?
Well, that's an interesting question, because I believe in fate and destiny and I think this was theirs. But I also believe in choice and I think, unfortunately, Romeo and Juliet were pretty helpless to fate...they didn't do a lot of choosing. Rosaline starts out this way, at the mercy of the powers that be, but I think (hope) that she discovers life is a dialogue...we co-create the reality we want for ourselves. What could they have done differently? I don't know. A lot, probably, but then maybe Rosaline wouldn't have had her ending...
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| UK Cover |
What is your personal favourite ‘greatest love story ever told’?
When Harry Met Sally. Or The Notebook. I really adore love stories that withstand the test of time.
If you were to re-imagine any other literary work through the eyes of a secondary character, what book and character would you choose?
Hmmm....maybe Harry Potter from Ron's POV. That's something I've always wanted to read, anyway!
When You Were Mine contains a couple characters I loved to hate (namely Rob and Juliet-what a piece of work!) but there are also characters in the book that I grew to love (Charlie). Besides Rose, who was your favourite character to write, and why?
I'm so glad you grew to love Charlie because she's tough, she really is, and I know some people will be put off by her at first. Charlie has her own journey in this book--- she's far from perfect, but she is an extraordinary friend. That being said I think Len was probably my favorite to write. I find him to be deceptively charming. I have a little crush on him.
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| US Cover |
I was really excited to hear that the movie rights to When You Were Mine have been snapped up with Lily Collins and Deborah Ann Woll linked to roles. Just for fun, what actors would you include in your dream cast list for the movie?
Honestly, I really never thought about it. Rosaline just felt like me! Could I play her? Hey movie execs, are you listening? :)
When You Were Mine is a favourite of mine – I loved it! Can you recommend any other books I might also love since I loved yours?
Well thank you very much! I can tell you what I love to read: Anything by Deb Caletti, Meg Cabot or Ally Carter.
What are you working on next?
I have a few projects in the works but what you'll probably see first is another YA novel. It's a bit darker than When You Were Mine, but still very romantic.
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