Interview with Nancy Richardson Fischer for The Speed of Falling Objects

The Speed of Falling Objects

by Nancy Richardson Fischer
Publisher: Inkyard Press
Release Date: October 1st 2019
Genre: Young Adult

Synopsis:

From the author of When Elephants Fly comes an exceptional new novel about falling down, risking everything and embracing what makes us unique. Don't miss this compulsively readable novel about the most unlikely of heroes.

Danger "Danny" Danielle Warren is no stranger to falling. After losing an eye in a childhood accident, she had to relearn her perception of movement and space. Now Danny keeps her head down, studies hard, and works to fulfill everyone else's needs. She's certain that her mom's bitterness and her TV star father's absence are her fault. If only she were more-more athletic, charismatic, attractive-life would be perfect.

When her dad calls with an offer to join him to film the next episode of his popular survivalist show, Danny jumps at the chance to prove she's not the disappointment he left behind. Being on set with the hottest teen movie idol of the moment, Gus Price, should be the cherry on top. But when their small plane crashes in the Amazon, and a terrible secret is revealed, Danny must face the truth about the parent she worships and falling for Gus, and find her own inner strength and worth to light the way home.

Can you briefly describe THE SPEED OF FALLING OBJECTS and its characters? 

Danger “Danny” Danielle Warren is no stranger to falling. After losing an eye in a childhood accident, she had to relearn her perception of movement and space. Now Danny keeps her head down, studies hard, and works to fulfill everyone else’s needs. She's certain that her mom’s bitterness and her TV star father’s absence are her fault. If only she were more—more athletic, charismatic, attractive—life would be perfect. 

When her dad calls with an offer to join him to film the next episode of his popular survivalist show, Danny jumps at the chance to prove she’s not the disappointment he left behind. Being on set with the hottest teen movie idol of the moment, Gus Price, should be the cherry on top. But when their small plane crashes in the Amazon, and a terrible secret is revealed, Danny must face the truth about the parent she worships and falling for Gus, and find her own inner strength and worth to light the way home. 

Danger Danielle Warren, nicknamed Danny, is a timid young woman who sees herself as defective, inferior and an embarrassment based on an accident that caused her to lose one eye, childhood teasing, and her father’s abandonment. Her journey through THE SPEED OF FALLING OBJECTS forces her to question the past, discover her unique abilities and redefine herself in order to love herself, allow others to love her, and become the hero of her own life’s story. 

Cougar Warren is a charming, handsome, TV survivalist. His past has created his needs and persona and the plane crash in the Amazon will uncover many of his amazing abilities and terrible flaws. Whether he will recognize the latter and reconnect with the daughter he abandoned is uncertain. 

Gus Price has been a famous actor since childhood. He supports his mother and three brothers, is on autopilot in terms of work, and allows others to shape his image. The plane crash, loss, and tragedies in the rainforest will set him on a journey to question who he wants to be in the future and whether that future will include Danny. 

Jupiter Jones is the sound tech for Cougar’s TV show. He’s the product of a tough single mother’s love, knows who he is and what’s most important to him. He overflows with kindness, especially toward Danny. 

Who would you say is your favourite character from the story and why? 

My favourite character is definitely Danny. She has an incredible journey from a scared young woman to a fierce, one-eyed warrior, who faces hard truths and buried secrets yet still finds empathy and compassion for those who have hurt her, and maintains the ability to be kind while struggling to survive in the Amazon rainforest. 

How did the story occur to you? Did you find inspiration anywhere? 

First, I am a HUGE fan of survival stories whether they’re on the high seas, atop remote mountains, or in jungles or deserts. People under intense physical and emotional pressure truly discover who they are, at their core, and can become heroes if they have what it takes. 

Second, I wanted to dig into the idea of how we define ourselves. Many of us, myself included, use the past, which contains tragedies, stories, misperceptions, and even lies to create who we believe we are. The idea, with Danny, is to take a young woman who defined herself as defective and allow her to understand that the building blocks of the persona she created aren’t true. Once Danny realizes that, she’s free to create the person she wants to be… if she’s brave enough to try. 

If you could choose one song to describe your book, which one would it be? 

When I wrote this novel I listened a fair bit to the A Star is Born soundtrack. Something about the lyrics from Shallow resonated with me and made me think of Danny. The plane Danny was on has crashed in the Amazon. Some are dead, others injured. Everything in the rainforest terrifies her. And yet, as the story progresses and Danny faces her many fears and comes to terms with the past, she becomes so much more than she ever dreamed, and she starts to metaphorically fly. The danger of flying is hitting the ground, but in Danny’s case, if she believes enough in herself, she’ll soar. And, perhaps, Gus will find the strength to eventually soar with her. 

Below are the verses from Shallow that I loved… 

I'm off the deep end, watch as I dive in 

I'll never meet the ground 

Crash through the surface, where they can't hurt us 

We're far from the shallow now 

If your book was going to be made into a movie, who would play your characters?

Cougar: Bradley Cooper 

Danny: Elle Fanning 

Gus: Ansel Elgort 

Sam: Reese Witherspoon 

Jupiter: Daniel Kaluuya 

Fall is here, and we love to go out and find the perfect cosy spot. What drink and place do you think will go with your book to have a perfect book date? 

I’d say an iced tea and anywhere without bugs, snakes scorpions and tarantulas, so that you can feel peaceful while immersed in the terrifying atmosphere of the Amazon rainforest. 

Can you recommend your readers any other books in case they are left hungry for more once they finish THE SPEED OF FALLING OBJECTS? 

Day Zero by Kelly deVos for an edge-of-your-seat ride. The Guest Book by Sarah Blake for a gorgeous story about identity. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell for a thought provoking read. The Black Witch series by Laurie Forest for an epic fantasy adventure.

What’s next for you? 

My next novel is called THE STORY COLLECTOR. It’s about twins, Hugo and Kat, who live in the same house but couldn’t be more different. Kat is driven, goal oriented, and certain. Hugo is rudderless, attends tons of concerts, and does his share and more of drugs. On their 18th birthday Hugo attempts suicide and as he teeters between life and death, Kat learns that she’s his medical proxy, responsible for making the decision of whether to terminate life support. But Kat barely knows Hugo or what he’d want. The Story Collector is about her journey to truly understand her brother before she makes this decision, by attending a fire sculpture and music festival he loved. Over three days she faces the past and deeply buried secrets in order to know her brother, herself, and to embrace an uncertain future.

I'm a published author with children's, teen and adult titles including: The Golden Globe, Lyric's World and Promises (Junior Jedi Knights Trilogy) for LucasFilm (Berkeley Press), Feel No Fear, The Power, Passion and Politics of a Life in Gymnastics (Hyperion), Monica: From Fear to Victory (HarperCollins), A Journey: The Autobiography of Apolo Anton Ohno (Simon & Schuster), Nadia Comaneci: Letters to a Young Gymnast (Basic Books), and Winning Every Day with Shannon Miller (Bantam Books). 

I've written for a circus, a graduate school, tried my hand at waitressing (I was terrible!), baking carrot cakes (I was messy but good!), and been lucky enough to ultimately do what I love - write.

I live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband and our mostly wonderful (but sometimes vorpal) Vizsla. When I'm not conjuring a story, I love to kite-board, bike, ski or plan adventures with my two guys, who both make me laugh for different reasons and are the best partners in fun a gal could ever imagine.

If you want to learn more about my latest novel, When Elephants Fly (publication date September 04, HarperCollins/Harlequin Teen), please visit my website: www.nancyrichardsonfischer.com

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Blog Tour: Consent by Nancy Ohlin

In this sexy and intriguing novel, an intense—and passionate—bond between a high school senior and her music teacher becomes a public scandal that threatens the reputation of both. CONSENT by Nancy Ohlin is a dark, edgy love story wrapped around the complex and controversial subject of sexual consent laws. Fans of THE LUCY VARIATIONS by Sara Zarr and IF I STAY by Gayle Forman will enjoy CONSENT from Simon Pulse.

Consent
by Nancy Ohlin
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Release Date: November 10th 2015

Synopsis:

In this sexy and intriguing novel, an intense—and passionate—bond between a high school senior and her music teacher becomes a public scandal that threatens the reputation of both.

Bea has a secret.

Actually, she has more than one. There’s her dream for the future that she can’t tell anyone—not her father and not even her best friend, Plum.

And now there’s Dane Rossi. Dane is hot, he shares Bea’s love of piano, and he believes in her.

He’s also Bea’s teacher.

When their passion for music crosses into passion for each other, Bea finds herself falling completely for Dane. She’s never felt so wanted, so understood, so known to her core. But the risk of discovery carries unexpected surprises that could shake Bea entirely. Bea must piece together what is and isn’t true about Dane, herself, and the most intense relationship she’s ever experienced in this absorbing novel from Nancy Ohlin, the author of Beauty.

“May I?”


Without waiting for my answer, Mr. Rossi sits down next to me at the piano and pushes the quilted cover aside. As he does, his tweed jacket grazes my bare arm. My skin tingles from the contact, and I want him to do that again: accidentally-on-purpose touch me. Although it was likely just an accident, and I really need to cut this out already.

He raises and lowers his elbows, then closes his eyes. He smells like his handkerchief, except warmer, sultrier. He launches into the first movement—initially at tempo, then more slowly, then with a series of fits and starts in the form of ritardandos and accelerandos. His interpretation is decidedly more measured and melancholy than mine, and more passionate, too.

He stops just before the shift to the second movement and turns to face me.

“So . . . what do you think?” he asks me.

Our legs are almost touching. Should I inch away? Or stay where I am?

“Beatrice?”

He knows my name. After just the one class. I should correct him and tell him that everyone calls me “Bea.” But I love the way he says “Beatrice”—like a poem, and with that dreamy accent.

Oh, right, I need to respond. “Yes! Sorry! That was wonderful! Really deep and intense and tormented.”

“Schumann was in a great deal of torment when he wrote this part.”

“What was the matter with poor old Schumann?”

“Poor young Schumann. He was twenty-something at the time. He was in love with his piano teacher’s daughter, Clara Wieck. But Mr. Wieck wouldn’t let them be together.  Schumann wrote a song for Clara called ‘Ruines’ because he felt that his life was in ruins without her. That song became the beginning of the Fantasy.”

Oh my God, how romantic. But I probably shouldn’t say that to a teacher. “That’s insanely interesting. How do you know this?” I ask instead.

“Conservatory. You’ll see for yourself, next year.”

Conservatory. I drop my gaze and study my nails.


“At Juilliard or Curtis or wherever you decide to go, you’ll learn everything there is to know about the lives of the composers. Who was in love with whom, who died of syphilis at age thirty-one, who had a morbid fear of the number thirteen . . .” Mr. Rossi hesitates, apparently noticing that I’ve checked out on this conversation. “You are a senior, right? That’s what it said on my class roster: ‘Beatrice Kim, senior.’ ”

I nod.

“Sorry . . . I simply assumed . . . So you’re not applying to conservatory, then?”

“Nope.”

“It’s just that I don’t run across people your age who can play the Schumann Fantasy like that. Or at all. You have ‘piano performance major’ written all over you.”

“Thanks. Actually, I was thinking more along the lines of . . . um . . .” Quick, make something up. “Pre-law.”

“Pre-law?”

My phone buzzes. I glance at the screen. It’s a text from Plum: I’m done. Where are you? Meet me out front.

“I have to go,” I say, rising to my feet.

Mr. Rossi glances at his watch. “Actually, so do I. I’m due at a meeting that starts—started—five minutes ago. It’s probably not good to keep Principal Oberdorfer waiting.”

“See you in class, then.”


“Yes. See you in class,” he replies. “Beatrice?”


“Yes?”


“The rest of the Schumann. Could I hear you play it sometime?” He sounds shy and hesitant, like he’s asking me out. My heart feels hot and fluttery.

“I’m still working on it,” I murmur.

“Good. I can offer you more unwanted advice, then.” He smiles, and I have no idea if he’s joking or not.

I’d better start working extra hard on that last movement.

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Nancy Ohlin is the author of CONSENT, ALWAYS, FOREVER, and BEAUTY. She has also collaborated on several celebrity novels, including a New York Times bestselling YA trilogy. She received a BA in English from the University of Chicago. Born in Tokyo, Japan, she lives in Ithaca, New York with her family.

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