Q&A: Shauna Robinson, Author of ‘Lauryn Harper Falls Apart’

We chat with author Shauna Robinson about Lauryn Harper Falls Apart, which is a rollicking fall novel, where the friend who left and the friend who stayed must reunite to save their hometown through the fall festival that once brought them together.

Hi, Shauna! Welcome back! It’s been three years since we last spoke! How have you been and what have you been up to?

So glad to be back! Since 2022, two more of my books have gone out into the world. I became a homeowner. I ran my first marathon. I’ve incorporated some new things into my writing routine, like outlining the story in full before I write it. But other things, like my love of reading and writing, have stayed very much the same.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I’ve loved stories for as long as I can remember. From hearing bedtime stories to checking out stacks of books from the library with my very first library card, I’ve always been drawn to fiction.

I have fandom to thank for getting me into writing. I discovered an online fan fiction community at thirteen that led me to start writing and posting my stories. What started as a way to explore my latest interest turned into a fierce love of writing. I was soon writing snippets of scenes in the margins of my notebooks in class, spending Saturday nights alone with a Word document, posting stories and getting feedback, and loving every second of it.

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein
• The one that made you want to become an author: Honestly? It was a bad fan fiction story I read at thirteen that had me thinking, “Okay, I can write better than this.”
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin. I love stories about friendship and ambition, and the video game aspect made it all the more compelling.

Your latest novel, Lauryn Harper Falls Apart, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Friendship, failure, and festival shenanigans.

What can readers expect?

There’s a hefty dose of silliness in this story—like the fact that it takes place in a town that experienced a mustard flood. But the feelings and experiences are very much grounded in reality. There’s a pair of ex-best-friends coming together, a beloved apple festival they’re trying to get off the ground, a group of people who feel like failures in different ways, a shared corporate enemy, and a lot of mentions of soft pretzels and caramel apples.

Where did the inspiration for Lauryn Harper Falls Apart come from?

This book starts with a misunderstanding in an elevator. I’m deaf in one ear, which means I’ve spent a lot of time pretending to hear people. Lots of smiling, nodding, and hoping that’s an appropriate response to whatever someone just said. I’ve always wanted to write a story that starts with someone agreeing to something they didn’t hear, so that’s where Lauryn’s story begins. Naturally, disastrous consequences follow immediately.

From there, I incorporated other things that interested me: the concept of working for an employer that’s less than ethical, estranged childhood friends reuniting, and a group of misfits coming together.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I loved writing for the various townsfolk who make their way into the story. I had the most fun writing the notoriously reclusive mayor, the ex-reality-show-contestant who never misses a chance to make Lauryn’s life more difficult, and the farmer who’s very proud of the rather unusual apple he’s created.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

I think writing is the most challenging thing about writing! Just getting the words on the page can feel so difficult sometimes, especially when you’re still getting to know the tone of the story and the world you’re building. That’s why I try to get through drafting as quickly as possible. Once that’s done, I can focus on revising the book from there.

Some things that help me with drafting are:

• Writing a detailed chapter-by-chapter outline. It becomes my road map as I write. My outline for Lauryn Harper Falls Apart was a little over 11,000 words.
• Dictating parts of the book. It felt strange at first, dictating turned out to be faster than typing. It came in handy on evenings after work when I didn’t feel like staring at a computer screen.
• Setting daily word count goals to stay on track.

What’s next for you?

I don’t completely know! I have an idea of what I’d like to write next, but it’s still a wisp at this point. I’d love to write something that touches on fandom in some way, given the impact it’s had on my life.

Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?

The Violin Conspiracy by Brendan Slocumb is one of those books I couldn’t put down once I started it. I’ve also been on a bit of a historical fiction kick—recently, I’ve enjoyed reading The Queen of Sugar Hill by Rashonda Tate and The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray.

One reason I’ve been looking forward to my book’s publication date is because it’s also the publication date for a few books on my to-read list! Blood Moon by Britney S. Lewis and Don’t Call it a Comeback by Keira D’Amato are just two of the books coming out on September 9^th that I can’t wait to read.

Will you be picking up Lauryn Harper Falls Apart? Tell us in the comments below!