New Adult Book Club discussion

Hello!


We have New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, Penelope Douglas, here to answer questions throughout the week. Penelope is the author of the popular Fall Away series. Her first book, Bully, I personally LOVED. She has also written two standalones: Corrupt and Misconduct. This thread will be closed in a week, so get your questions in now!

Penelope can be found in the following places:

Website
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest

You can buy her books here:

Amazon
Chapters
Barnes and Noble
Itunes

Welcome, Penelope! I have a starting question: what made you come up with the idea of creating a romance between a girl and an old friend who now bullies her?

Hi Penelope! Jared and Tate's relationship was so strained during the years that she was bullied. Were any of the bullying scenarios from personal experience?

Hi Penelope I read that many people asking for a spin off of the fall away series, maybe about their kid's etc and I saw you say you might consider it in the future but not right now. So what can we expect next. Books similar to Fall Away or something entirely different ? I am excited to find out whats next :)

Micheala wrote: "Welcome, Penelope! I have a starting question: what made you come up with the idea of creating a romance between a girl and an old friend who now bullies her?"

I read Fallen Crest High by Tijan, as well as Slammed by Colleen Hoover, and I really liked what they did with teenagers. Kind of the edgier route they took. It captivated me. I also love love-hate relationships, so I mixed the two into something of my own. There was a lot of concern over the extent of Jared's bullying and the steam factor, but I always remembered the old saying "If you don't do it, someone else will." It's where my heart took me, so I just went with it. Thanks for the question!

Cézanne wrote: "Hi Penelope! Jared and Tate's relationship was so strained during the years that she was bullied. Were any of the bullying scenarios from personal experience?"

Hi Cezanne!

Some. Like the rumor bit, although my experiences were minor compared to Tate's. I think the best books are where an author writes what they know. It always ends up being something you connect with even if you haven't experienced that for yourself, because the reading experience is more authentic. The whole series was autobiographical in a way, not that I went through the exact experiences of the characters, but I tried to channel feelings and insecurities I had then and create a story around it.

Thanks for the question!

Nicola wrote: "Hi Penelope I read that many people asking for a spin off of the fall away series, maybe about their kid's etc and I saw you say you might consider it in the future but not right now. So what can w..."

Hi Nicola!

Yes, more stories for the side characters are very possible some day, but I am taking a break at the very least. Next, I have Misconduct coming Dec. 1, a standalone contemporary romance about a teacher who falls in love with the parent of a student. And right now I'm working on Corrupt, my dark romance about a group of men who seek revenge on a young woman who sent them to jail. Both books are up on Goodreads. I like to bounce around as far as genres go. :)

Penelope,

More of a comment than a question. I have to say the monologue Tate give to Jarred about how his action impacted her and broke her heart is still one of the most touching scenes I have read. I go back and read it all he time.

“You were my tempest, my thunder cloud, my tree in the downpour. I loved all of those things, and I loved you. But now? You’re a fucking drought. I thought that all the assholes drove German cars, but it turns out that pricks in Mustangs can still leave scars.”

Great series. I can't wait to read the next ones.

Hey Penelope,

I was just curios - I've read the blurb to both Corrupt and Misconduct. Suffice to say I'll be buying and reading both! :) Are they both going to be part of a series or standalones? Oh and I loved the Fall Away series - Every single book! You're an awesome writer! Thank-you! :)

I read Bully (and all the books of the series, of course) and I connected with Tate in a way that I can't even describe. So thank you very much! Your books give me happiness when I wasn't being able to do it by myself. <3
These are my questions:
1) Would you like/let your daughter (in the future, of course), read it?
2) What advice can you give to someone that, like Tate in the beginning of the book, is not capable of just enjoy the moment?
3) Why does Tate love the beginning of the rain? I love it too and I thought it was just me <3
4) Can you recommend others books that have this love-hate relationship?
5) Would you like to come to Brazil one day? I loved watching the quote about my country in Aflame! By the way, sorry for my english!
6) Why did you choose the names: Tate, Jared, Jax, Madoc, Fallon, Juliet for the books? Is there any story or a reason behind it or you just found them cute names?
Oh, I really hope you're gonna read this, so I want to share with you a music that reminds me of Bully. 'The heart wants what it wants - Selen Gomez'.
And please, do never stop writting about teenagers. You do it so well!
Love ya!

Danielle wrote: "Penelope,

More of a comment than a question. I have to say the monologue Tate give to Jarred about how his action impacted her and broke her heart is still one of the most touching scenes I have r..."

Thanks, Danielle! Definitely one of the most important, if not the most important, scene in the book. one of my favorites!

Aliana wrote: "Hey Penelope,

I was just curios - I've read the blurb to both Corrupt and Misconduct. Suffice to say I'll be buying and reading both! :) Are they both going to be part of a series or standalones..."

Hi, Aliana!

Both Misconduct and Corrupt are standalones with no cliffhanger. I could entertain the idea of doing some of the other men's stories from Corrupt, but I'll wait to see how my readers respond to it first. It's a bit darker, so I am nervous about pleasing you all.

But I have to write it. That I know! ;)

Juliana wrote: "I read Bully (and all the books of the series, of course) and I connected with Tate in a way that I can't even describe. So thank you very much! Your books give me happiness when I wasn't being abl..."

Hi Juliana! Thanks for the questions.

1. Yes. I doubt I'd ever deny my daughter the opportunity to read anything. If I'm concerned about the content, I'll read it with her, so we can talk about it, but I would hate to say she can't read something. My job isn't to keep her from experiences but instead to arm her with a strong mind that can digest and critique information on her own.

2. To remember that life is a one way trip. Societal rules are made by others just as human as you and without your consent. Who says you have to listen? You decide what you listen to, who you follow, and what environments you'll participate in. Most people never question these things. But Tate put herself on the line, potentially embarrassing herself with that monologue, but she didn't care. It was time to be the person he kept her from being.

3. I think it's the anticipation of knowing what's coming. The dramatic skies, the smell...it's the beginning of an event.

4. Lovely Vicious, Reasonable Doubt, and I'm told A Line Between and Fear Me are similar to Bully, but I have not read them.

5. I would love to come to Brazil. Rio looks very exciting!

6. Tate and Fallon were boyish sounding, and I like boy names for girls. Juliet, just because it's romantic like her, and I love that story. Jared was originally Jeremy, but I decided I needed something tougher. Madoc and Jax I found in a baby name site. All the names hit me when I saw them and I knew they were the ones.

Thanks for the questions! I do plan to return to teens after Corrupt, but Rika will be a teen in Corrupt, so there's that ;)

How did you had the idea for Bully? Was a dream, or the idea just hit on you?
You never thought about writing fantasy books? I think you would be great at it!
It's true that some places in your book are inspired in your city?
Can't wait for Corrupt! It's gonna be a fresh start :)
xoxo

Hii! I have to be honest... I looved falling away so much more than the other books!
My questions are:
How did you come up with K.C. character?
How did you think of the idea for K.C.'s diary? The whole 'writing the diary like she was her dead sister' thing?
I thought that amazing btw!
One more thing...
Why does Jared always mess things up?
He did not deserve half the chances he got!

P.s- When is Corrupt coming out?
Byee Kisses from Portugal

Cassio wrote: "How did you had the idea for Bully? Was a dream, or the idea just hit on you?
You never thought about writing fantasy books? I think you would be great at it!
It's true that some places in your boo..."

Hi Cassio! Bully came to me when I read Fallen Crest High by Tijan, as well as Slammed by Colleen Hoover. I really liked what they did with teenagers. Kind of the edgier route they took. It captivated me. I also love love-hate relationships and I'd dealt with bullying in my younger years, so I mixed all of this to come up with something of my own.

I have thought about writing paranormal at some point, but those books take time. You have to invent a new world with all these new possibilities. I have some ideas, so it's just a matter of sitting down and dedicating time to them.

And yes, Shelburne Falls in the Fall Away series is inspired by my hometown, Dubuque, Iowa. It sits along the Mississippi River, and I love it.

Thanks for the questions!

Isabel wrote: "Hii! I have to be honest... I looved falling away so much more than the other books!
My questions are:
How did you come up with K.C. character?
How did you think of the idea for K.C.'s diary? The w..."

Hi, Isabel! Falling Away was my favorite, too.

K.C.'s character started off as kind of the annoying best friend, but I knew from the start that the people that "put on a face" to the world are the most interesting to know once you peel away the layers. I always try to write what I know. I channeled some insecurities and experiences from my own childhood. My mother never abused me, but she was fanatical about cleanliness and appearing well put together, every hair in its place, to those around us. And the diary just kind of came to me. I went and wrote the entries when I hadn't even gotten to that part in the book yet.

As for Jared, I think he was a good friend to Tate in their younger years, and he grew into a good man once he had the chance to be quiet, away from everything that weighed him down, but yes, he messed things up a lot in the middle there.

As Jared said in Aflame, he had lived and revolved his life around how he felt for Tate. He made choices and acted out based on her. He had nothing else. He realized that, while he loved her, he had no idea what he was capable of or who he was without her. As heartbreaking as it is, sometimes the break is inevitable. We need to leave, so we can come back. And Jared did come back, better and more whole, and ready to be who he needed for her. Whether or not he deserved the chances he got is up in the air, but the important thing to remember is that Tate thought he was worth it. And hopefully now she trusts that he will never abandon her again.

Thanks for the questions!

Isabel wrote: "P.s- When is Corrupt coming out?
Byee Kisses from Portugal"

I'm working on Corrupt right now, and you should expect it this year, but I can't announce a release date yet. When I'm closer to finishing, I will!

If given the opportunity, would you consider the idea of turning the Falling Away Series into movies, or a television show?

Hi Penelope,I'm from Brazil so sorry for my english,my question is how the music influence your life and what you write.Here in Brazil we don't know many of your musics so I need to thank you for introduce Five Finger Death Punch in my life and Rob Zombie and Young Guns .Fall Away is my favorite series,so please,don't stop, I cry with Aflame and almost have a heart attack with Dylan and Kade and Hunter.I will read everything you write.

Nicolette wrote: "If given the opportunity, would you consider the idea of turning the Falling Away Series into movies, or a television show?"

Oh, absolutely. I'm nowhere near wealthy enough to fund something like that myself, but if a production company wanted to buy rights, and I trusted what they would do with the story, I'd love it. I'd prefer a TV series, simply because there's too much to fit into a 2 hour movie.

Thanks for the question!

Yasmin wrote: "Hi Penelope,I'm from Brazil so sorry for my english,my question is how the music influence your life and what you write.Here in Brazil we don't know many of your musics so I need to thank you for i..."

Thanks, Yasmin! I'm still writing, and have two more books scheduled to release this year. Maybe at a later date I'll revisit the Fall Away kids ;)

Thanks!

Hi Penelope!
While you were growing up, did you have any author / favorite book?
Can you recommend me a sweet romance?
I think the cover is very important in a book. How did you got the idea for yours? (P.S: I loved the cover of Misconduct!)
I kind of did not understand the synopsis of the book Corrupt. Erika is attracted by her brother in law?
Thanks for answering me! (:

Sheila wrote: "Hi Penelope!
While you were growing up, did you have any author / favorite book?
Can you recommend me a sweet romance?
I think the cover is very important in a book. How did you got the idea for yo..."

Hi, Sheila!

My favorite author growing up was Johanna Lindsey. She writes historical romances, and she was my first love in the romance genre.

The covers are definitely important. Bully and Until You just hit me when I saw them. I knew they were the ones. For Rival and Falling Away, the publisher and I went back a forth, finally finding ones that suited both of us. As for Misconduct, I showed the publisher Gail McHugh's and EK Blair's covers. I liked the cold, clean look, so they definitely delivered. I love it, too. However, overall, I love non-people covers. I hate to mess with the reader's mental image of the characters, so for Corrupt, I went for something more mysterious. As for the synopsis, Michael isn't her brother in law. He's her boyfriend's brother. This isn't a love triangle, though, and it goes so much deeper than what readers are expecting.

Thanks for the question!

Hey!
So, I read 'Aflame' (loved the cover, by the way) and I had the feeling that Tate wasn't so happy in med school. Was I right? Maybe I just have a wrong impression.
And why your characters love cars so much? Do you have this passion too?
I don't know if someday I would have the pleasure to meet you, so I have to say some things in here.
You know why I think that people love your books so damn much? Because they're not just love stories, they are stories about friendship as well. That's rare in real life, and whom doesn't want to be part of something like this? So please, whatever you write, make sure you have a great friendship story as well.
The group in Fall Away series reminds me of the show series Friends. Do you like it? What are the series that you watch?
I also would like to recommend you those books: Anna and the French Kiss, by Stephanie Perkins.
Cinder & Ella - by Kelly Oram.
Normal by Danielle Pearl.
(Have you heard or read any of them? I just had to recommend them. You know when you just need to recommend for your favorite author your favorites books?)
Thank you so much for answering me!! :D :D