Q&A with Gwendolyn Heasley on her second debut, A LONG WAY FROM YOU

Gwendolyn Heasley's second book, A LONG WAY FROM YOU debuts today from HarperTeen! Please welcome Gwendolyn as she answers a few question about the book.

For too long, Kitsy has had to satisfy her dreams of becoming a real artist by giving her friends makeovers before prom. So when her best friend Corrinne's family offers to sponsor her for a summer art course in New York City, Kitsy bids a temporary good-bye to Texas to say hello to the West Village.

Between navigating the subway and the New Yorkers—namely, the Art Boy who has a nice trick of getting under her skin—Kitsy knows that this summer is going to be about a lot more than figure drawing.

AL: Did you know from the beginning that you would write a second book featuring Kitsy Kidd?
GH: Kitsy was one of my favorite characters in WHERE I BELONG. When I wrote WHERE I BELONG, I knew Kitsy’s backstory in my head but I didn’t include much of it in the first novel. I always wanted Kitsy to have her own novel and I’m delighted it worked out.

AL: What's your favorite line in the book?

GH:  "There are a thousand ways to see the same view," OR "I wonder if coincidence and fate are actually the same thing." Both expresse some of the book’s themes.

AL: Why was Kitsy your choice of Broken Spoke character to write a second story around?

GH: I loved the idea of writing the reverse of WHERE I BELONG, a small town girl comes to New York City and I loved Kitsy, so it was a natural fit. Many readers told me that Kitsy was their favorite, so I hope they like her story J I had a great time writing it.

AL: Tell us about upcoming plans for your third book. Will it include any Broken Spoke characters?

GH: I’m moving on from these characters for my third book but that’s about all I know. Stay tuned for more updates on my website GwendolynHeasley.com

AL: Tell us about your favorite part of NYC, a place readers must visit after reading A LONG WAY FROM YOU.

GH: There’s a secret garden in the West Village that’s a total treat to visit. Read the book for directions.

AL: Do you have a favorite song that fits the theme of the story?

GH: I listened to "Breakaway" by Kelly Clarkson a lot while writing the story. The song fits with the theme of searching for what’s best for you.

Thanks, Gwendolyn! To buy A LONG WAY FROM YOU, visit Amazon HERE.