In Conversation With Katie Parker
Interviewed by Sheena, external communications for The Literature Garden.
June Gloom is a young adult novel set in the coastal town of Willrock. Told from the dual perspectives of two best friends Maisie and Virginia, a friend group comprised of the girls, plus brothers Owen and Walker, form a band for one last summer before college. However, will secrets, romances, changing dynamics and unexpected opportunities cement this as the best summer of their lives, or will it tear them apart?
S: So, to start off, the playlist! I was so beyond excited to see that at the start of the book. I think that it’s a wonderful addition that all of the book girls out there will absolutely love.
K: Yes, I LOVE when a book has a playlist, so I knew that I was going to put one in June Gloom before I even started writing. Music is such a big part of the book too, obviously, and music inspires me so much when it comes to writing scenes and capturing the perfect emotions.
S: Do you imagine songs linked up to certain moments, characters or dynamics? Or is it more so the general vibe of summer for Maisie and the band?
K: I tried to go for a mix of both general vibe songs and songs that match with characters and couples. I thought it would be fun for readers to guess or try and figure out what songs went with who and all that.
S: Yes i love that! Before we get into your book and your process, how about you introduce yourself to The Literature Garden audience? Who are you?
K: Whenever I get asked to talk about me, suddenly everything I know about myself just leaves my brain. I guess to start, my name is Katie, I’m 21 years old, and I live in the middle of nowhere, Ohio.
S: What was growing up like, and what do you do for fun?
K: I pretty much spend most of my time writing and reading, the classic, boring author answers haha. I also love cooking and baking, I love horror movies, and I love going thrifting. Growing up, I spent most of my time being active and of course, reading. I actually played volleyball for six years, and it was such a passion for me. I was homeschooled for most of my school years, so the sport was most of my socialization, and it took me many cool places for tournaments. A standout was getting to tour “The Vampire Diaries” set in Atlanta in between games!
S: That’s so cool! When did you get into writing?
K: I’ve pretty much been coming up with stories as far back as I can remember. Like I said, books and reading have always been SUCH a huge part of my life. My mom read books to me pretty much since I popped out, and we still have an entire room in the house filled with bookshelves. My mom really prioritized creativity and always provided tons of art supplies and notebooks. I think being surrounded by books and the materials to create made writing my own books just click in my little kid brain. I was like, why wouldn't I write my own books?
I have a distinct memory of being four or five years old, in the waiting room of a doctor's office, and stealing a tiny notebook from my mom's purse and creating a whole story about dinosaurs with pictures. I don't even think I could fully write on my own at that point. I used to come up with stories, draw pictures, and then narrate what was going on to my mom and have her add the words. So I guess I was writing before I could write.
S: So you’ve always been an author at heart, even when it was just dinosaurs! It’s great that she provided a space of creativity like that. When did you start to consider writing as a more serious career path?
K: I started actually taking my writing career seriously in my senior year, because I was like, I'm about to graduate, I better actually do something with my life, and I already knew exactly what path to go down. I wrote a thriller/horror novel my senior year, inspired by the IT movies, which are my favorite. I didn't end up going through with publishing that because I came up with June Gloom next and fell in love with it, but it was still really fun to write!
S: It’s very cool to see that variation in genre in the writing that you’ve done so far. So how did the concept of June Gloom initially come about?
K: It was early spring 2023, and I had just watched “Outer Banks” season three, and was feeling super inspired by the summer and close-knit friend group vibes of that show. So I wrote down in my Notes app where I keep some more vague story ideas: "write a book about a close-knit group of friends in a summer small town." Then a few weeks later, I watched and read Daisy Jones & the Six, and I LOVED the idea of writing a book about a band. When I was in middle school, I had come up with my own fictional girl group, because I was super into One Direction of course, and I wrote some drama and storylines for them but never fully turned them into a book. Maybe one day.
Anyway, that just reminded me of my fascination with bands and all of the dynamics and drama in them, so I wrote down in my notes, right on top of the “Outer Banks” inspired one, "write a book about a band." Just a few days later, I was in the shower, where all of my best ideas come to me, and it just clicked. I should combine those two ideas and write a book about a friend group who starts a band in a summer small town! I plotted the entire novel in the two days after that, it just poured out of me!!
S: I completely agree with you, that band dynamics, found family, and small coastal towns are some of the most fun tropes I’ve seen so far in media. What are your favourite tropes to consume as a reader, and does that differ in any way to the kind of tropes you find yourself leaning towards as a writer?
K: Oh good question. My favorite trope of all time is second chance childhood friends to lovers. Very specific, I know, but it's so good! When the characters used to be good friends as kids, had a falling out, and then came back into each other's lives and are falling in love now? I could read thousands of books like that, it always hurts, but i love it. I’d love to write that trope on day. I’m also obsessed with fake dating, I think it's so classically rom-com and so fun! I feel like my fave tropes to read differ from the ones I write, but there's definitely elements in there. Like in fake dating when they have to reluctantly team up, like virginiahudson. and the back and forth and angsty-ness of a second chance romance can be seen in maisielogan.
I actually try to avoid writing tropes for the most part, because I think it can force your story into a box. I like to write whatever romance comes to me for that story, and figure out what tropes it fits into later.
S: That’s a very good way to approach writing, as, especially with booktok, young adult books have become very boxed into classic tropes that authors know people love, so it’s good to try and find out what naturally fits characters.
K: Totally! I have mixed feelings on the "trope-ification" of books these days, because on one hand, I completely understand that it's easier for authors to market their books that way, therefore bringing in more sales, but I also think it's making every book feel the exact same. Tropes are good tools to use when writing, but yeah, I definitely love writing whatever my heart desires, regardless if there's a trope included or not.
S: How did you find it in you to commit to writing June Gloom after planning out the plot, and do you have any advice for creatives who struggle to start and stay consistent with such a big project?
K: For me, it's always so fun and easy to start a new project when the inspiration is fresh and exciting and ideas are just pouring out of you. But it's the staying consistent, writing even when you're tired, sticking with a project until the end, that requires more discipline. I heard this advice somewhere and now it's my motto: "dedication over motivation." I am so dedicated to my writing, and I know that no matter what, I am going to write and create stories, even if nobody ever reads them or I never publish. I am dedicated to that passion of mine.
So I use that dedication over in-the-moment-motivation or excitement, because that only lasts so long. You really do have to commit to yourself, believe in yourself, believe in your goals, and that will get you a lot farther than always waiting to be excited to write or enthusiastic about your current work. Because you won't always want to write; you'll be too tired, too lazy, not super excited about it anymore. But you can always be dedicated.
I think that would be my main advice: dedication over motivation!
S: That’s such a good perspective to have. What does your daily writing routine look like?
K: I wish I had an exciting answer for this, or had some cool method i came up with. But I literally just write in silence. I usually can't listen to music while I write because it distracts me. I don't really do writing sprints or go to a cafe or anything exciting at all. I sit on my bed or at my desk with my laptop in front of me and go to town. I like locking in and disappearing into my world for a few hours, no distractions.
S: What did the writing process for June Gloom look like for you? How did you break it all down?
K: I’m a little bit insane when it comes to meticulousness. I do several early plotting drafts before I even get into a first draft. I like working out plot holes and character arcs and everything on a big picture format and then I write an actually readable story. I know some writers that have a vague idea of a story and jump right into writing a first draft, and I've tried that, and it just makes my virgo, perfectionist, eldest daughter eyes twitch. I must have a plan.
S: How do you balance out your writing with daily life, friends, etc?
K: It's definitely a challenge to balance everything! The mindset I try to have is prioritizing whatever is making me feel the most fulfilled at that time. Of course in life you have to do things you don't want to, but writing is my job and it fulfills me so much, but at the same time it's a very lonely, introverted lifestyle, and I notice when I’m feeling a bit withdrawn or down in the dumps because I haven't gotten out in a while, so then I prioritize hanging out with friends, seeing my family, other hobbies, etc. When I’m in the middle of writing a new draft, it's more fulfilling than the editing or publishing process is, which can be more draining, so I do more than just work all the time when I’m in those modes. It's a matter of constant upkeep of my mental health!
S: As it should be! It’s so easy as a creative to get stuck in that solitude, or get burnt out. But do you ever get writer’s block? I mean, we’re introduced to Maisie during a 4 month long rut where she just can’t seem to write, no matter how hard she tries, until she talks to Ivy and finds inspiration in songwriting. How do you manage your writer’s block in order to keep going, and keep that inspiration alive?
K: Okay, I’m knocking on everything wood in my vicinity right now, but I don't actually get writer's block that often. I think it's because of my militant planning. I always know where the story is going at all times. Plus, if I can and I have enough time, I like to let new book ideas "cook" in my head for a while, if that makes sense. Like if I’ve thought of a new idea, I keep working on my current project and let any inspiration and ideas for the new story come to me as they come. I try not to force it. Ideally, I work on a thought dump for a new book for a few weeks or even months, as long as possible, adding to it any time a new idea comes to me, or I subconsciously work out a plot hole, or when a song makes me think of a scene idea.
When I'm done with the current project and ready for the new, I have a good base to build off of, and it came to me naturally as inspiration struck, instead of sitting down and forcing myself to write a thought dump. I find this method more sustainable, and my books feel more true to me and more fleshed out because I give them so much time to marinate.
S: Thats great to hear, and you seem to have a really solid creative method that’s beneficial in the long term. I’m sure a lot of writers reading this interview will be mentally noting a lot of this! When did you finish your first draft of June Gloom?
K: I think around August 2024, after starting it that spring.
S: At what point did you reach out to a publisher, and what has that journey looked like for you?
K: It's been a whirlwind for sure. U queried June Gloom all last spring & summer after months of intense edits and got nowhere, which was a bummer but it didn't really deter me. Maybe this is arrogant, but it's like I said earlier, I know deep down in my heart that I will always write for the rest of my life. So, if my very first book doesn't get picked up right away, I have plenty of time, and plenty of future books to write that aren't even on my radar yet. I love writing, and I love sharing my characters and worlds with readers, so I don't really care which method of publishing I get to do, as long as I get the privilege of publishing at all. As long as I have the mind-blowing honor of people wanting to read my books, I am a happy, fulfilled girl.
But yeah, self-publishing has been really challenging and hard, not going to lie. Many mental breakdowns have occurred. But I’m so close to the light at the end of the tunnel and I’m so excited.
S: I’m excited for you too! You deserve to see all of your hard work come to fruition as the release date approaches. Do you have any advice or insight for young creatives who also seek to self publish?
K: You have to be willing to put in the hard work and learn something new every single day. Writing and pursuing publishing is such a fickle and difficult process, so you have to truly love it down to your bones. Because when it comes down to it, and you're late on your deadline, your book cover is still not quite right, you're trying to learn a new publishing website, you're searching for any way to market yourself, and all of the challenges and not-so-fun parts of writing are upon you, you really only have your passion to get you through. Passion and love of writing is what will fuel you for the long haul, and readers can smell it on you; passion is what makes them stick around. So, my advice summed up would be: be passionate and be brave, believe in yourself and your ideas because nobody else is going to do it first, and be willing to put in the hard work. but if you love writing, it really is that simple. you got this.
S: Now that you’ve finished your book, do you have any ideas marinating that you’d like to start working on next?
K: The story of June Gloom may not be over just yet, and that's what I'll say about that. I want to save some surprises for the future. I already know the next series that I'm going to write after June Gloom, and I'm currently letting it marinate, building up that thought dump document every day, and I'm really excited to see where that goes. I’ll give a clue for what it's about: I’ve already briefly hinted at it in one of my previous answers.
S: Ooh, intrigue. Where do you see yourself career wise in ten years time? Aside from potential future series, have you got any goals, like book events or career milestones in mind?
K: Oh my gosh, what a question. I try to take everything day by day and soak up every minute of this new chapter of my life, because I've been wanting this for so long. But if i had to think about the future, I'd say I'll still be writing and publishing books, whatever form that may take. I’d love to have gone on a few book tours, have met my readers and talked to them in person. I'd love to see my books in bookstores, or better yet, see somebody reading one in public! I’d love to have traveled and see some of the coastal towns that inspire my work. And I hope I’m not taking anything for granted. No matter how many books I put out, I hope I always feel how I feel right now, excited and anxious for my debut to come out, so grateful and present and fulfilled.
S: When that book tour comes, I’ll be there! I’ve got a couple more quick fire questions before we finish up if that’s alright?
K: sounds great!
S: So, outside of “Outer Banks” and Daisy Jones and the Six as inspirations for June Gloom, what authors, creatives or pieces of media inspire you?
K: Jenny Han is a big inspiration for me! I love The Summer I Turned Pretty and To All The Boys I've Loved Before, both the series and movies. I love how she captures the essence of growing up, teenage-girlhood, high school friendships, first loves, all in a way that feels magical and inspiring but also realistic and relatable. And The Summer I Turned Pretty has a very immersive summer setting!
And Taylor Jenkins Reid, the author of Daisy Jones, is a huge inspiration to me in general as well. While I write more light-hearted stories than she does, I really love how she writes the endings for her books. They're always very realistic and bittersweet but also inspiring and feel-good at the same time. You always put her books down with tears in your eyes and hope in your heart. I love how all her books dive into life lessons, and also how genuinely real her characters feel. I could only hope to affect my readers half as much as her books have affected me.
S: Do you have a favourite line, moment or scene that you’ve written in June Gloom?
K: My favorite chapter is chapter 36, and my favorite line AND moment is in it. I don't want to spoil anything, so all I’ll say is I cried writing that whole chapter.
S: I can’t wait to get up to it. Do you have a favourite character or duo?
K: I feel like it always fluctuates for me, like one day I'll be loving one of them and the next day they'll be making me angry haha. But they are all my children and I love them all equally. Virginia is one of the most interesting characters to write, because she's a lot more outgoing and bold than I am, but I understand her so well at the same time. I also love walker so much! My favorite duo is probably Owen and Walker, they are just so hilarious to write.
S: Who do you think will be the most underrated character?
K: Honestly, I don't know if this is surprising, but maybe Ivy?? She just seems like she's got it all together on the outside and that might not stand out to readers, but there's much more to her to discover.
S: I have to say, she’s been my absolute favourite so far, she’s got this aura about her and I just want to absolutely deep dive into everything about her. And Grace, she’s iconic to me.
K: That makes me so happy that you love Ivy!! There's definitely much more of her to come in the book and from me in the future!!
S: I can’t wait. Which character would you say you see yourself in the most?
K: I feel like if you took Virginia and Maisie and combined them into one person it would be me. I’m an introvert, anxious, overthinker like Maisie is, but she's a little bit more of a pushover than I am, and she cares more about peer pressure. Whereas Virginia is very extroverted and outgoing and sometimes abrasive, which I don't relate to, but I do see myself in her humor, her assurance in herself, and her passion.
S: What does the perfect summer day look like for you?
K: Oh i LOVE this question! Sleeping in of course, getting up and having a good breakfast, then probably going shopping and or thrifting!! Getting lunch out, then going back home to sit outside and read for hours, working on my tan and forgetting that the real world exists. Then taking a shower, putting on the coziest pjs, having a sweet snack and watching comfort movies all night. Can you tell I've thought about this a lot? I just love summer.
S: I hope you have a summer full of these kind of days! Sounds like a dream to me. What can readers expect from June Gloom, and who would you say is your target audience?
K: It's a super fun, fast-paced, un-serious read, while at the same time getting you super invested in the characters and the world. It's full of drama, found family, music, coming of age vibes, with a healthy dash of romance. I really wanted to write a cutesy but emotional summer read, for people who want to enjoy the vibes of a story without having to think super profoundly about a book, but who also want to get tear-jerkingly invested into characters and their lives. Those are my favorite kinds of books.
S: And finally, what do you want readers to get out of the June Gloom reading experience?
K: I want readers to feel like they are there in the world with those characters, and feel like it's a break from real life. You know when you read a really immersive book and it takes you a few minutes after putting the book down to return to reality because you got so sucked in? My dream is for readers to say that June Gloom did that for them.
June Gloom by Katie Parker is now available to buy as an E-Book on Amazon!
