On Tour with Prism Book Tours
Author Interview
What inspired you to write The Truth About Unspeakable Things?
This question is always so weird for me, because I don’t feel like anything truly inspired me to write The Truth About Unspeakable Things. I left my career as a teacher a year and a half prior to writing my novel with the intent to pursue my dream of being a published author. Writing has always been my passion and I’ve always wanted to be a published author. But, I never had any inclination as to what my first book would be. My story crafting process is very intentional rather than inspirational. I sit at my computer and I begin to think. I go through a series of what if questions until I find an idea I want to develop further. The first thing I settled on was the setting. New Orleans is such a wonderful setting for a book, because people are already familiar with the setting. They have a connection to it. And, there are tons of possibilities for different scenes and even conflict when your story is based in New Orleans. From there, more brainstorming occurred. I thought on this novel for probably a month before writing anything. I had over 30 scenes planned. Within writing the first three paragraphs, 80% of my ideas were irrelevant. The story had a mind of its own. And, that is the most amazing part to me. I love to see where the story leads and how the characters develop naturally.
What do you love the most about this story?
I love the dynamics between Emma and Beaux the most. I love the concepts of accountability and forgiveness that are presented in the novel through the interactions of these two characters. And, second to that, I love that I managed to create something that is both moving and entertaining. I came into this wanting to write something different, something more complex than your average romance, yet not something entirely literary. And, I managed to do exactly what I set out to do. It has been hard for some people to define what The Truth About Unspeakable Things is. It has romance, suspense, and some Women’s Fiction elements in it and I love that it is a blend of these things. I love that it is unexpected, challenging, and exciting. I love that it digs deep into a very prevalent issue in our society — sexual assault and the sexual exploitation of women. Yet, I also love that it presents this issue and more in a way in which readers are enthralled.
What challenged you about writing it?
As a writer, my biggest challenge is always to ensure there are no plot holes and that the plot makes sense. It’s both a technical and mental skill. Ensuring there are no plot holes takes careful planning, constant re-reading, and many revisions. Ensuring the plot makes sense takes patience. It takes asking yourself would this character really do this or say this, what does it say about that character that she would or wouldn’t, how will readers respond. The process goes on and on. In addition to this struggle which accompanies any writing project, I took great care in how I presented the more triggering content such as the assault scene and the emotional torment following the assault. I read accounts of survivors speaking about their assaults and the emotional trauma that followed. I also enlisted the help of many beta readers with making sure the representation of Emma and her experience was the most respectful and accurate as it could be. As someone who loves romance novels and all that they entail, I made a conscious effort not to be too graphic with the description of the assault because I didn’t want to eroticize a non-consensual act. Another challenge I faced with this novel is knowing that many people would have strong emotions about Emma’s choice to have an abortion after her assault and the fact that she regrets her choice. I knew there would be people who would disagree with Emma’s choice to have an abortion. I also knew there would be people who would disagree with how strongly Emma regrets her decision to have an abortion. This is such a hot-topic, I knew the inclusion of it would draw criticism. But, I felt the inclusion of Emma’s abortion, both the fact that she had an abortion and the fact that she later regrets her choice, is 100 percent accurate to a woman who has just experienced the trauma she has and also a woman raised in the conservative South.
Which character do you most relate to and why?
I most relate to Emma. Like Emma, I love art, music, history and good food. My circle is small. I don’t confide in many people. My relationship with my family is complex, like most people’s, I would assume. Yet, I want more than anything to make them proud. I am a lover of old souls and old things. And, fun fact, I actually minored in Mass Communications in college. So, I share Emma’s background in journalism.
What do you hope readers will take with them after they’ve read it?
I hope that readers will feel empowered to break their cycle of trauma, whatever that trauma might be. Without giving too much away, we see how Beaux has allowed his experiences to control him. He uses his pain to justify his heinous actions. He has allowed his pain to turn him into someone different from who he could’ve been had his life circumstances been different. Emma refuses to let her pain control her and turn her into someone she is not. She confronts her pain, both the pain that has been inflicted on her by others and the pain she has caused herself. She determines her parameters for forgiveness and she tries to forgive others and she learns to forgive herself for the choice that she made under extreme circumstances, which she now regrets. Whatever your trauma is, I pray you break your cycle. You don’t have to live in pain forever.
What do you enjoy doing when you're not writing?
When I’m not writing, I love watching television. My tastes are varied. Bridgerton, The Witcher, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Gilmore Girls, Property Brothers, The Voice. I literarily watch too much television. I also enjoy cooking and hosting gatherings. I love traveling. On a beach listening to the ocean waves is my home away from home. More than anything, I love being with the people I love, my family and close friends.
This question is always so weird for me, because I don’t feel like anything truly inspired me to write The Truth About Unspeakable Things. I left my career as a teacher a year and a half prior to writing my novel with the intent to pursue my dream of being a published author. Writing has always been my passion and I’ve always wanted to be a published author. But, I never had any inclination as to what my first book would be. My story crafting process is very intentional rather than inspirational. I sit at my computer and I begin to think. I go through a series of what if questions until I find an idea I want to develop further. The first thing I settled on was the setting. New Orleans is such a wonderful setting for a book, because people are already familiar with the setting. They have a connection to it. And, there are tons of possibilities for different scenes and even conflict when your story is based in New Orleans. From there, more brainstorming occurred. I thought on this novel for probably a month before writing anything. I had over 30 scenes planned. Within writing the first three paragraphs, 80% of my ideas were irrelevant. The story had a mind of its own. And, that is the most amazing part to me. I love to see where the story leads and how the characters develop naturally.
What do you love the most about this story?
I love the dynamics between Emma and Beaux the most. I love the concepts of accountability and forgiveness that are presented in the novel through the interactions of these two characters. And, second to that, I love that I managed to create something that is both moving and entertaining. I came into this wanting to write something different, something more complex than your average romance, yet not something entirely literary. And, I managed to do exactly what I set out to do. It has been hard for some people to define what The Truth About Unspeakable Things is. It has romance, suspense, and some Women’s Fiction elements in it and I love that it is a blend of these things. I love that it is unexpected, challenging, and exciting. I love that it digs deep into a very prevalent issue in our society — sexual assault and the sexual exploitation of women. Yet, I also love that it presents this issue and more in a way in which readers are enthralled.
What challenged you about writing it?
As a writer, my biggest challenge is always to ensure there are no plot holes and that the plot makes sense. It’s both a technical and mental skill. Ensuring there are no plot holes takes careful planning, constant re-reading, and many revisions. Ensuring the plot makes sense takes patience. It takes asking yourself would this character really do this or say this, what does it say about that character that she would or wouldn’t, how will readers respond. The process goes on and on. In addition to this struggle which accompanies any writing project, I took great care in how I presented the more triggering content such as the assault scene and the emotional torment following the assault. I read accounts of survivors speaking about their assaults and the emotional trauma that followed. I also enlisted the help of many beta readers with making sure the representation of Emma and her experience was the most respectful and accurate as it could be. As someone who loves romance novels and all that they entail, I made a conscious effort not to be too graphic with the description of the assault because I didn’t want to eroticize a non-consensual act. Another challenge I faced with this novel is knowing that many people would have strong emotions about Emma’s choice to have an abortion after her assault and the fact that she regrets her choice. I knew there would be people who would disagree with Emma’s choice to have an abortion. I also knew there would be people who would disagree with how strongly Emma regrets her decision to have an abortion. This is such a hot-topic, I knew the inclusion of it would draw criticism. But, I felt the inclusion of Emma’s abortion, both the fact that she had an abortion and the fact that she later regrets her choice, is 100 percent accurate to a woman who has just experienced the trauma she has and also a woman raised in the conservative South.
Which character do you most relate to and why?
I most relate to Emma. Like Emma, I love art, music, history and good food. My circle is small. I don’t confide in many people. My relationship with my family is complex, like most people’s, I would assume. Yet, I want more than anything to make them proud. I am a lover of old souls and old things. And, fun fact, I actually minored in Mass Communications in college. So, I share Emma’s background in journalism.
What do you hope readers will take with them after they’ve read it?
I hope that readers will feel empowered to break their cycle of trauma, whatever that trauma might be. Without giving too much away, we see how Beaux has allowed his experiences to control him. He uses his pain to justify his heinous actions. He has allowed his pain to turn him into someone different from who he could’ve been had his life circumstances been different. Emma refuses to let her pain control her and turn her into someone she is not. She confronts her pain, both the pain that has been inflicted on her by others and the pain she has caused herself. She determines her parameters for forgiveness and she tries to forgive others and she learns to forgive herself for the choice that she made under extreme circumstances, which she now regrets. Whatever your trauma is, I pray you break your cycle. You don’t have to live in pain forever.
What do you enjoy doing when you're not writing?
When I’m not writing, I love watching television. My tastes are varied. Bridgerton, The Witcher, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, Gilmore Girls, Property Brothers, The Voice. I literarily watch too much television. I also enjoy cooking and hosting gatherings. I love traveling. On a beach listening to the ocean waves is my home away from home. More than anything, I love being with the people I love, my family and close friends.
The Truth About Unspeakable Things
By Emily A. Myers
Women's Fiction
Paperback & ebook, 284 Pages
April 2, 2021
“He did more than break your heart, didn’t he?”
Emma Marshall is haunted by memories of a horrific attack she can’t bury deep enough. Most of all, Emma is haunted by fear — fear that she will never be free of her abusive ex’s control, fear she will never be able to trust another man again.
No one knows the unspeakable truth of what happened between Emma and her ex-fiancé Beaux. It’s a secret Emma plans to carry to the grave, until Julian Cole, a music executive with a dark past of his own, moves in next door and opens Emma’s mind and heart to the possibility of love after a violent betrayal. As the reporter and music executive grow closer in the historic French Quarter of New Orleans, Emma realizes she must face her past in order to heal and move forward with Julian. But Emma soon learns Beaux will do anything to keep his sins a secret.
Emma must risk everything to protect her newfound happiness and Julian from Beaux’s threats. Putting her investigative skills to good use, Emma embarks on a dangerous journey to gather evidence and bring Beaux to justice. But the deeper Emma gets into Beaux’s wicked world, the more complicated things become. How far will Beaux go to keep his secrets? How far will Emma go to protect the ones she loves? Find out in this women’s empowerment thriller about life and love after abuse.
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About the Author
Three winners will each receive a print copy of The Truth About Unspeakable Things (US only)
Ends June 30, 2021
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