Author Interview: Scarlett E. Decker on "Holding On and Letting Go"

Ana: Today we have Scarlett introducing their book, Holding On and Letting Go. I haven't read this book myself, but Scarlett was kind enough to agree to guest blog about their book to any readers who might be interested in the subject. Scarlett, how would you describe your book to your prospective readers? In broad terms, what is your book about?

Scarlett: My book is about a young nineteen years old girl, Skye, who had a difficult past and can't seem to let go of it. She tries to drown her sorrows in alcholol but this solution is never permanent.

On the other side, we have Noah, who just woke up from a four months coma and don't have any memories of the last two years. She tries to forget, and he fights to remember. They want two opposite things but they couldn't be more similar.

This book is about letting go to the things that hurt you and holding on to everything else.

Ana: What themes does your book explore and what do you hope the reader will take away from the experience? Is there a particular feeling or experience that you hope to evoke in the reader? Essentially, do you hope your book will mean to a reader?

Scarlett: The major theme as the title suggests, is hodling on to the good things and letting go of the bad ones. This can be a really difficult thing to do in some situations, I know it myself. This book was inspired by my own experience.

This novel deals with children of divorce, depression, alcohol and drug abuse and other mature subjects, but also acceptance, forgiveness and love.

I hope my readers can find their own message in this book, a message of hope for the future. That no matter how hard your life can be right now, you can hope it's going to get better. You HAVE to hope.

Ana: What prompted you to write this book and did you have a specific inspiration in mind? Were you influenced by a certain author or work that inspired you to add your voice to this genre? Besides the boatloads of money and rockstar fame, what motivated you to write this book? 

Scarlett: This book is actually inspired by my own life. This is not an autobiography or anything like that, Skye is not me and I am not Skye.

But I went through some of the same thing she went through which made it easier to write from her perspective. Most of the feelings she has in the book, I felt them at some point of my life. Unfortunately, I didn't have a Noah Ackers to help me feel better :)

I wrote that story because it just felt good. The idea was stuck in my head, and it needed to get out.

Ana: If you could compare your book to any other existing works, which ones would it be and why? If the one thing you could say to a prospective reader was, "If you like X, you'll love my book!", which work would be invoked so that a reader could judge whether or not your book is their cup of tea?

Scarlett: I don't really feel comfortable comparing my book to another one but I'm going to try.

I guess if you liked books like Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson or Dreamland by Sarad Dessen, you might find my book interesting. Not in term of writing, because those two authors are just really talented, but in term of dealing with difficult theme and talking about it.

Ana: Is this your first or only published work, or have you published other books? If you have published other books, how do they compare to this one? Do you have any more books planned, either as a follow-up to this one, or as a completely different book or genre?

Scarlett: This is my very first novel. I do have other books planned. I am actually working on something completely different. A paranormal YA trilogy about ghosts and special abilities. The readers who purchased Holding On and Letting Go can read an excerpt at the end of the book.

Ana: Where can readers obtain a copy of your book for them to enjoy? How can they contact you with any thoughts or questions? And do you have a means by which they can "sign up" to be notified when your next book comes available?

Scarlett: My book is only available on Amazon for the moment. To contact me, readers can do it on Facebook or Twitter. I don't have a sign up option as of right now, but I'm going to work on it :)

Ana: Thank you. I understand you have the first chapter of your book available as an excerpt for interested readers? Is there anything else you wish to add for our readers?

Scarlett: Readers can read the first two chapters on Smashwords.

Thank you very much Ana, for this interview. I hope I'll be able to work with you again. :)

And thank you to everyone who read this interview until the end!

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