Novel FAQ

I've told a lot of people that I am/was/already finished writing a novel. I'm going to do my best to answer these questions without spoiling the plot. Here goes. 

What's the novel about? Man, I hate these questions. There's so much to it. It is about two girls living in the 1980s who are pen pals, told from alternating perspectives. One lives in the USA and the other lives in the USSR. 

What age range is it good for? It'll depend on the parent. I'd say it's some pretty heavy subject matter and good for 13 and up. There's a good bit of mild swearing, and a couple of offensive words, and plenty of insults, but it's all portrayed for realism. There's not much sex, an older character talks about how people tried to approach her and she said no/she's in love with another character, but they're in a healthy relationship. There's some alcohol consumption and a few people get drunk...it's Soviet Russia. Also, I think a couple people got beat up, and a lot of emotionally mature stuff, but it's mostly ok. 

When/where is it set? 1985-1992, focusing in on '86-'87. Set in a random New Jersey suburb, and in Moscow. There's a part in D.C. too, but I won't go into details...

Is it a spy novel? You're talking about how x can communicate with y. NO. I hate this question. Okay, there may or may not be spies in the novel, and some non-spy characters do spy-like things, but NO. That's not the focal point. I can't reveal how spies are connected as that would spoil the plot. 

So, it's historical fiction? I'm sorry, but when I hear historical fiction I think: Johnny Tremain, American Girl books, My Dear America diaries, etc. It's bland, boring, and tasteless. Yes, it's technically historical fiction the way The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt is historical fiction, or A Night Divided by Jennifer Nielsen. That's fantastic. The first is a funny middle school romp through 1967, bringing in Vietnam, hippies, and the Monkees, while the latter focuses on a fictional family separated overnight by the Berlin Wall, and the main character has a plan to get to the other side...so, action, peril, suspense. Heck, I forgot When My Name Was Keoko, or Countdown. Now that's historical fiction done right. Also I mostly like 20th century history, but it's a preference. 

What are the central themes? Compassion, understanding, communication. 

Pen pal stories are boring...is there action and suspense? Absolutely. Spy novels done right. xD. 

But I like guys! Any boy characters? Yes, there is a rather important male character who is important to a secondary female character. Also, a few cameos from the cute English heartthrob in the American side. 

Without too much details, who are the main characters? 

Larisa--quiet, shy, the good girl. about 14 for most of the book. Scared to get into trouble; but observes what's going on around her. Is a primary narrator. 

Layla--popular, cool girl, the secret hacker...she's actually really insecure and hanging out with the wrong people. Primary narrator.

Natalya--Risa's older sister and rebel to entire system; also suffers from depression and eating disorders. Secondary narrator. 

Vlad--the young, shady KGB who is secretly a rebel...and Natalya's boyfriend...

Risa and Natalya's mom--Can't disclose much. Close to the Party, but paranoid nonetheless. Never tells her daughters what she's up to. 

Emilia--Mom's secretary, quirky and cheery, likes color red, and collects things. 

Layla's mom--mostly unimportant, but opposed to Layla writing to the "Communist girl". 

Layla's dad--quiet, but challenges mom, and is the 'safe parent'. 

Flannery--Completely ant-communist, paranoid, and wants Layla to stop writing to Risa. Sort of a bully. 

Celia--Flannery's on-again-off-again sidekick. Does some good and bad. mostly passive and indecisive. 

Basil--cute English heartthrob, plays with the hearts of Celia, Flannery, and Layla. 

Where can I read your book? It's not available yet, but it's still in the feedback and editing process. If I know you, and you want an emailed copy, comment below! 

Also, I really want this blog to spread as much as possible to people who are interested. It would be great if my readers share this blog with two friends, and spread the word. 2X2=4, 4X2=8. 8X2=16...you get the picture. Thank you! Oh, yeah, and also don't share with people who would automatically be turned off by my username xD.