Far From Normal: Interview

An Interview with Becky Wallace, author of Far From Normal 

About the book:
1. How did you come up with the story of Far From Normal?
My first post-college job was at a sports marketing firm in Chicago. It was an experience. I
learned a ton about life and people and how hard it is for a woman to excel in such a male-
dominated business. I wanted to write a story about a girl who wasn’t crazy smart or
extraordinarily talented but worked her butt off. There’s so much weight put on being a genius,
on being at the top of your class, that those of us who don’t excel easily feel like we’ll never
succeed.
Hey, world? It’s a lie.
Smart is great. Smart has its place. But there are different kinds of smart. This world needs
people who aren’t just book smart. Knowing how to read people is a special kind of intelligence.
Knowing how to communicate well and clearly is valuable skill. And so is work ethic. I really do
believe that hard work will trump talent any day. I’m pretty sure that’s how I got published.

2. Which of the characters are you the most similar to in Far From Normal?
There are bits and pieces of me in most of the characters. Maddie’s sense of
humor and hustle are definitely parts of my personality. Her mom’s struggle to be
a writer is totally me. Her aunt’s devotion to high heels is also so me. ;)

3. What part was the hardest to write? The beginning, middle or the end?
Before I started drafting, I had a beginning and an end, but the middle was a little
murky. I wrote one draft that I was really proud of, but my editor poked holes in it. She
was right (as always) and I culled about 10K words from the story. FAR FROM
NORMAL is super pacey, really light-hearted thanks to my editor’s direction.
 
4. Which scene was your favorite?    
I loved writing the Chinese Takeout/Rooftop scene (chapter 18). It gives me all the heart
eyes.

5.   Where can readers purchase Far From Normal? 

You can buy autographed copies at Blue Willow Bookstore
https://www.bluewillowbookshop.com/book/9781645670568 and get signed bookplates from
any of the bookstores on my tour. AND, if you pre-order I’ll send you lots of awesome swag
including the super cute character stickers. Like…. This:

About the Author: 
1. If you won a prize for something, what would it be and why? 
Like me as a person? As I person, I’d probably win the Pollyanna Award. I try to be
really positive and always on the Brightside.
For me as a write: I think I’d probably win the Cinnamon Roll Award for writing guys who
are actually nice. I really like stories about love interests that you’d actually like if they
were people.

2. If a director wanted to make Far From Normal into a movie and wanted you to act in it,
who would you be and why?
I would probably be Maddie’s mom. I’d super qualified to play a stay-at-home-author-
mom. ;)

3. What are some of your favorite tv shows or movies?
I actually don’t watch a ton of TV—I just don’t have time! But as a former ballroom
dancer, I love DANCING WITH THE STARS. Some of my favorite movies are THE
PRINCESS BRIDE, THE PROPOSAL (Sandra Bullock reading while cycling is super
relatable), THE SANDLOT, and THOR: RAGNORAK.

4. If you could have dinner with any 3 people (fictional, real or dead), who would it be? 
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Jane Austen, and Audrey Hepburn.