Author Spotlight: Kristina Forest

Kristina Forest is the author of I Wanna Be Where You Are and Now That I’ve Found You. She earned her MFA in Creative Writing with a concentration in Writing for Children at The New School. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with two huge bookshelves. 

What is your book about?

Following in the footsteps of her überfamous grandma, eighteen-year-old Evie Jones is poised to be Hollywood’s next big star. That is until a close friend’s betrayal leads to her being blacklisted…

Fortunately, Evie knows just the thing to save her floundering career: a public appearance with America’s most beloved actress—her grandma Gigi, aka the Evelyn Conaway. The only problem? Gigi is a recluse who’s been out of the limelight for almost twenty years. Days before Evie plans to present her grandma with an honorary award in front of Hollywood’s elite, Gigi does the unthinkable: she disappears.

With time running out and her comeback on the line, Evie reluctantly enlists the help of the last person to see Gigi before she vanished: Milo Williams, a cute musician Evie isn’t sure she can trust. As Evie and Milo conduct a wild manhunt across New York City, romance and adventure abound while Evie makes some surprising discoveries about her grandma—and herself.

What was your inspiration for this story?

I’ve always wanted to write about someone who was famous, and I’ve always loved fish out of water stories and old Hollywood. 

Which romance tropes are your favorites (to write and consume across media)?

This answer includes my favorite tropes for both YA and adult romance: enemies to lovers, fake dating or marriage of convenience, forced proximity, and secret identity are just a few!

What are the kinds of stories you want to write?

I want to continue writing romances featuring Black girls/women.

How do you balance writing with the rest of your life?

I try to stick to a schedule when I’m on deadline. On average I write about 3 to 4 days a week.

Any advice for up and coming writers?

Try to find a community of writers, or at least one other person, with whom you can share your work, because it’s important to build a community. Read often and read widely.