Daylight: A 9/11 Short Story// Interview With Author Grace A. Johnson!
Title: Daylight: a 9/11 short story
Author: Grace A. Johnson
Genre(s): contemporary, new adult, romance
Publisher: sky’s the limit press
Release date: sept. 11, 2021
Price: $1.99
Promotional Price: $0.99 (runs from Sept. 1-10th) (i.e. get it while you can, 'cause this is pretty darn good deal!) 😉
Blurb:
It was too late.
The whole world knew it, the nations shaking their heads at the fallen United States, our beautiful country of hope and freedom covered in blood and ashes.
Only the devil could’ve planned something so disastrous.
Only God could save us now.
Only God could save August.
It was all my fault that he nearly lost his life, dashing back into the hailstorm of debris to save a man who was already dead. I can only hope that he’ll recover—that we will recover.
Because some things will never be forgotten.
- What inspired you to write a story about 9/11?
It was a song, actually, by a 2000s rock band named Lifehouse. It was written by the lead singer after the Columbine shootings, inspired in part by that event and by 9/11. I absolutely love the song (it’s called “Sky Is Falling,” by the way), as well as a lot of other Lifehouse songs.
But I digress. The song really connected with 9/11, and I had this out-of-the-blue idea to write an aesthetic short story inspired by the song, so of course it had to be about 9/11.
I didn’t realize then, though, how deep and impactful the story would be - not just to readers but to me, even. I came to see the events of that day in a deeper, more real way, and I guess it just makes me so grateful for how amazing God is that He could take something so tragic - or any other event, for that matter - and work it all for good.
- How much research did you do for Daylight and how long did that part of the process take?
Since it’s a short story, I didn’t do too much research - not right off the bat, at least. I always tend to research as I go. It’s so much easier that way.
Anyway, I started off by watching a video of the towers falling on YouTube. It was on National Geographic and narrated by Rudy Guiliani. Getting an eyewitness’ perspective and seeing the footage brought everything back to life and helped me capture the events in the story.
As I wrote, though, I ended up googling hospitals in Manhattan and doing more research on the towers (turns out three fell, not just the twin towers). Of course, it was fun for me to incorporate bits of culture, since I grew up in the 2000s, so making mention of popular singers or nods to the hair and dress of the time was like watching a twenty-year-old movie! (Gee, that’s been a minute, hasn’t it? I feel old now, and I’m only sixteen!)
- Did you learn anything new while writing this story (e.g. something about 9/11 you found during your research, something God showed you, etc.)?
Ah, yes! I learned that, like I said above, three towers fell that day. (Thanks to my amazing beta-reader Kristina for pointing that out!) After the plane crashed into the twin towers, Building 7 of the World Trade Center was hit by heavy debris from one of the twin towers, which caused it to fall later that day.
- Was it hard to write about such a tragic event? If so, how did you deal with that?
It was hard, yes, but not in the usual way. I’m always emotionally impacted by what I write, but it’s different when I’m writing about the fictitious events in characters’ lives. Writing about something that actually happened, something that affected an entire country? That was different. The way it affected me was different...and the way I hope it touches other people is different too.
The hardest part is getting it right. The experience. The emotions. The pain. All the thoughts that raced through people’s minds that day. I know I didn’t, but I tried—and I hope that not only are my readers able to see that, but that they’re also able to think back on 9/11 differently, especially if they weren’t there when it happened or weren’t directly impacted, you know?
- How do you hope Daylight will impact people?
I kinda answered that one above...but another way I hope this speaks to readers is on a more personal level. I hope it reminds them, yes, of what happened, but also of God’s grace and sovereignty. Of the victory that we have in Jesus. Of how, no matter what trials we go through as a nation or as individuals, God is always offering us something bright and beautiful in the darkness.
- Is there a specific meaning or message you want to share with others through it?
Nothing more than what I’ve already stated, I guess. XD If I were to sum up, though, I would say that my specific message is this:
There will be defeat.
But in Jesus, there is victory.
- What was your favorite part of writing this story and why?
I have to pick a favorite? WHY???
Seriously, though, that’s hard. I don’t know, on a lighter note, I had a lot of fun setting a story twenty years ago. More so, I had a lot of fun with the accents! They were tough to nail down, but the Brooklyn and Bronx accents were fun to write!
I also just liked Sylvie and August...a lot. (Well, I mean, I should hope so. They are my characters, after all!) I hope to write more of them in the future...and have a kiss scene! Can you imagine I wrote a romance without a kiss scene? The horror! XD
Thank you SOOOO much for interviewing me, Victoria! All of your questions were GOLD and I had a ton of fun answering them! 😀
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Giveaway link and details:
Click HERE to enter!
Details: Enter the giveaway by subscribing to my newsletter. (Grace's—not mine.) XD Collect more entries by commenting on tour posts and answering the trivia question. One winner will be selected and notified through email. The winner will be announced on Sept. 12th on my blog! (Again, Grace's blog—not this one.)
Last but not least, the AWESOME blog tour schedule for Daylight!
I enjoyed reading this! Your interview questions were great, Victoria, and I loved hearing Grace's answers!
ReplyDeleteAwww, thank you so much!!! YES, she did an AWESOME job!!
DeleteLooks like a good book!
ReplyDeleteIKR!?!?! I can't wait to read it!!!
DeleteAAAAHHH I LOVED YOUR QUESTIONS VICTORIA AND GRACE JOHNSON'S ANSWERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *high fives* You're MUCH better at coming up with questions than I am. ;P That was just SO interesting about there being three towers that fell than two. I mean, I guess I didn't "technically" learn that today since I had seen Kristina leave a comment about that during the beta reading, but I still find it cool!!!!! *sniffs* I WISH I could read Daylight when it comes out, but sadly, I have no kindle. :,( But it was an AMAZINGGGGGGG short story!!!!!!! <333
ReplyDeleteAWWWW, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And YESS her answers were AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Delete*high-fives you back* Whaaat!?!?! GIRL, I'm sure your questions are AMAAAAAAZING!!!!!! I know!!!! I had no clue that three towers fell! Lololol, the perks of beta reading, amiright? ;P *Gasps* NOOOO, girl, that's soooo sad!!! Wait, wait, wait. Are you sure you can't just get the Kindle app and read it on there if you buy it? 'Cause I think it said on Amazon that if you have the app you can read it on any device—not just an actual kindle. *shrugs* But, I may be wrong (99% of the time I am...*coughs*) XDD Anyway, I'm SOOO glad you enjoyed it!!! I'm seriously at the edge of my seat waiting for when it comes out!!!! XD
YOU'RE SO WELCOME!!!!!! Er... *hides my post from Victoria's eyes* You may definitely go on thinking my questions were amazing if you like. XD Hahaha YESSSS!!!!!! *sniffs* It is. Yeah, I'm pretty sure you can do that but I've tried it before and for some unknown reason the app just isn't nice to me. *glares at kindle* (I really believe technology holds some grudge against me. XD) EEEEE GIRL THE WAIT IS WORTH IT!!!!!!! Trust me!!!!
DeleteOh YES. I will most definitely go on thinking your questions were amazing *whisper yells* 'CAUSE THEY WEEERE!!!!! XD UGH, really!?! *glares at kindle too* Come on you lil' ole app! Work for my awesome friend here!!!! AAAAAHHHHH!!!!! *bounces up and down impatiently* Saturday. Can't. Come. Fast Enough!!!! XD
DeleteOH MY GOSH VICTORIA! I TOTALLY MISSED YOUR POST!!! Augh, I've been sooo busy lately, but I'm here now! Thank you SOOOO much for joining the tour and for interviewing me!!! I had so much fun!!!!!!!! <333
ReplyDeleteAwww, don't worry girl!!!! I TOTALLY understand how busy it's been with finishing the tour and everything! ;) EEEE!!! You're SOOO welcome!!! I had so much fun too!!! <3333
DeleteThese were FANTASTIC questions, Victoria!!!!!!!!!!!! :D And Grace's answers were AMAZING as well!!!!!!!!! I always enjoy hearing where people got their inspiration for their stories!!!!! And I also found the research answer very interesting!!! Daylight was so heart-touching!!! I hope you get to read it!!!<33
ReplyDeleteAwwww, THANK YOU SO MUCH, girl!!!!! Weren't they though!?!?! I LOVED learning about how Daylight came to be and I thought all the research she did was SO COOL too!!! EEEE, so I actually did get to read it and AAHHHH!!!! *sobs* IJUSTLOVEITSOMUCH!!!! <333 (I'm aiming to do a review on it on Goodreads soon, once I find some time!) ;)
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