Veronica, what was your inspiration for writing THE GO-BETWEEN?

I really wanted to write a novel about a Latina girl who had a different experience than one we normally see in popular culture. So I thought it would be fun to write about a girl who was affluent, but when she shows up at a new school in California, everyone assumes she’s poor and from East LA because she’s Mexican.

A book that made a big impression on me early on was Ana Menéndez’ “In Cuba I was a German Shepherd.”

I always loved that line: “Here in America, I may be a short, insignificant mutt, but in Cuba I was a German shepherd.”

I think anyone who has moved from one country to another knows that there’s this gap between who you were back home and who you are perceived to be in this new place. And then there’s sometimes another gap between who you are perceived to be as a new American and who you aspire to be.

That’s what Cammi’s story felt like to me — a story about a teenage girl who’s falling into these precarious gaps of identity and perception.

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

I really liked writing the scenes with Sergio, Cammi’s big brother. I love that he’s this really smart, really inherently good guy. He sort of tells her, when you’ve got privilege, you only have one job — don’t be a jerk.

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

I am in love with Lilliam Rivera’s “The Education of Margot Sanchez.” which came out recently. I keep giving it to my people — from my nieces to my grown-up girlfriends. Lilliam’s voice is so razor sharp and the story has both style and heart.

How long did you work on THE GO-BETWEEN?

I worked on the Go-Between for almost two years. I had a day job, so it was a little bit of catch while catch can. Very common for writers.

What do you hope readers will take away from THE GO-BETWEEN?

I hope that readers will get that when it comes to this particular group of friends, there isn’t really one person who’s “racist” or the bad guy. (Although I have friends who say that Tiggy is really an unredeemable mess.)

I think that everyone in this group of friends makes mistakes and has some growing to do. I think that’s the beautiful thing about friendship, especially when you’re young that you grow up together.

How long or hard was your road to publication? How many books did you write before this one, and how many never got published?

I’ve written a lot of non-fiction, but fiction is still new and evolving for me. So a lot of unpublished fiction lingers in my bottom desk drawer!

What’s your writing ritual like? Do you listen to music? Work at home or at a coffee shop or the library, etc?

I try to write early in the morning. It’s been a huge process for me to transform from a night person into a morning person. But I love the morning writing — it’s clearer, for me and richer.

What advice would you most like to pass along to other writers?

It can be hard to keep learning and growing outside of the classroom. Workshops are amazing. Worth it. Places like the Fine Arts Work Center and any local college workshop. Even online classes like Masterclass.com can be amazing. And there are of course, the great books. Annie Dillard’s The Writer’s Life. Twyla Tharp’s “The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It For Life.” Jane Smiley’s “13 Ways of Looking at the Novel.”

I also think the Bindercon conferences in LA and New York are amazing if you can get to to them and they do offer some financial aid for different types of writers.

What are you working on now?

Another Y/A. I’m so excited.

Happy reading,

Emily, Jocelyn, Anisaa, Sam, Martina, Erin, Susan, Shelly, Kelly, Laura, and Lori Ann