EXILE FOR DREAMERS is the second novel in the Stranje House series, and we’re excited to have Kathleen Baldwin here to tell us more about it.

Kathleen, what was your inspiration for writing EXILE FOR DREAMERS?

My books are usually centered around girls who don’t fit into society very well. They are the Odd Thomases of the worlds they inhabit. I suppose this comes from the fact that I’m a bit peculiar myself.

In EXILE FOR DREAMERS Tess has prophetic dreams and, (true confession here), I’ve had dreams that predict future events. It freaks my kids out when I call them already knowing something has happened.

What scene was really hard for you to write and why, and is heroines one of which you are most proud? Or is there another scene you particularly love?

I cried all the way through writing the scene where Tess tells about her mother’s death. It was extremely difficult to write this scene because I watched my own mother die the summer after my freshman year in high school. Writing this death and loss from her viewpoint tore me apart, but in the end, I felt a little healed and very pleased with how that scene turned out. It remains one of my very favorites.

What book or books would most resonate with readers who love your book–or visa versa?

I think my readers would like ANY story about brave young women who have the courage to discover their strengths, build strong friendships, engage in witty banter, and oh yeah, a little romance.

According to Amazon, readers who buy my books also buy Marissa Meyers Lunar Chronicles, (which IMO is a fabulous series), Robin LeFevre’s Grave Mercy series, Keira Cass’s Selection series, and Gail Carriger’s Etiquette and Espionage series.

How long did you work on EXILE FOR DREAMERS?

Stories brew in our subconscious throughout our lives. My friend, Susan Dennard, the brilliant author of NYT bestselling TRUTHWITCH would explain that it took me a lifetime plus eight months. She’s spot on! It took eight months for me to get EXILE FOR DREAMERS down on paper, but it took a lifetime to ripen into a story ready to be told.

What did this book teach you about writing or about yourself?

I love that you asked this question!

Every book teaches me something new. Every book is practice for the next book. I love humor, and so in the past I strayed away from anything too emotionally raw in the plot. This book taught me that I can write about painful subjects and yet still infuse humor in the story.

What do you hope readers will take away from EXILE FOR DREAMERS?

Mostly, I hope they’ll just have fun reading it, but in the end, for me it’s about hope and courage.

It takes guts to stand up and do something we are uniquely capable of doing, but that act of courage makes a difference. At booksignings, I bring a stamp that says, “Be brave each and every day. You’re changing the world around you, creating endless ripples with every choice.”

Have you had a chance to read EXILE FOR DREAMERS yet? Do you have stories that have been ripening for a lifetime? Are you able to get emotions on the page? Share your thoughts about the interview in the comments!

Happy reading,

Jocelyn, Shelly, Martina, Anisaa, Sam, Erin, Susan, Michelle, Laura, and Kristin