Author Interview with Julia Lynn Rubin of “Burro Hills”
Hello readers! I got the chance to interview author, Julia Lynn Rubin, about her debut YA LGBTQ+ contemporary novel Burro Hills, writing process, among other things! I hope you all enjoy the interview!
About The Book
In a town like Burro Hills, you either figure out who you are or die trying.
Seventeen-year-old Jack has lived in the troubled California town his entire life. He hides the truth about his sexuality from everyone, including his best friend Jess and his childhood rival and drug dealing partner, Toby. Keeping your head down, Jack knows, is the best way to survive.
But when Connor, a fearless new arrival, enrolls at school, he sees right through Jack’s façade. Jack finds himself falling for Connor, and the feeling is mutual―but their relationship will set into a motion a series of events with lasting consequences. After a falling out with Jess, Jack is worried to see her growing close to the manipulative Toby. To make matters worse, Jack is becoming increasingly paranoid that Toby will expose his relationship with Connor.
As tensions rise and more secrets come to a head, Jack cuts off ties with Toby. Hungry for revenge, Toby comes after Jack, jeopardizing his budding romance with Connor and the life he’s tried so hard to salvage in Burro Hills.
Q&A Time!
Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
In high school my big dream was to become a director and screenwriter! I applied to all the big film schools, but ultimately, I ended up going to the University of Pittsburgh and minoring in film studies while majoring in anthropology. It was an amazing experience and not at all what I thought I’d be doing in college.
What made you want to become a writer?
I’ve never not wanted to be a writer, if that makes sense. I’ve always had an obsessive itch to write and to create, ever since and probably before I learned how to. My obsession became a habit, which eventually turned into a career, as it was the one thing I’ve always felt fairly confident about.
How would you describe your writing style and what does your writing process look like?
I’d say my writing style is fairly literary, a bit experimental, and very descriptive. It can be messy and all over the place, as my process is just the same. I write out of sequential order; if I get an idea for the ending, or a scene near the ending, I’ll write it out as a full scene or a vignette, or “sketch” a rough draft of it. I then have to go back and tie everything together, which is always hard. I sometimes outline and sometimes don’t. I prefer to just write until I come up with something that excites me, but I do get a stuck a lot.
What inspired you to write “Burro Hills” and what message do you hope to convey through it?
There was no one single inspiration for Burro Hills, but it started with these evocative images of this broken, crumbling town in Southern California, and this mosaic of voices of kids who lived there. Everything sort of evolved from that concept. Originally it was a multi-POV narrative. It then became a dual-POV between Jack and Jess, but my agent and I ultimately decided to narrow it down to one POV.
I drew a lot of inspiration from books like White Oleander by Janet Fitch and TV shows like Skins; gritty, “real life” depictions of what it’s like to be a teenager and the rougher side of life.
If you could spend time a character from your book who would it be? And what would you do during that day?
I would love to spend time with Jack, as he’s the character I connect the most with emotionally and intellectually. I feel so protective of him, too. I’d love to just go hang out at the beach, maybe take him shopping, or exploring a place outside of California he’s never been. He’s such a smart and sensitive soul and deserves to see the world. I want to be his mentor.
Any website or resources that have been helpful to you as a writer?
Yes! I really like Query Shark, Writer Writer Pants on Fire, and QueryTracker for when you’re in the querying “trenches.” The community at AgentQueryConnect is also excellent.
What are you currently reading? Do you have any favorite authors?
I have so many favorite authors! I love Laurie Halse Anderson, Janet Fitch, Scott Heim, Vladimir Nabokov, George Orwell, Alexandra Kleeman, Amy Reed, Louis Sachar….the list is endless! I’m currently loving In Her Skin by Kim Savage, and the last great short story collection I read was Intimations by Alexandra Kleeman. It blew me away.
Do you have any upcoming writing projects planned?
I do, but you’ll have to wait to find out more…:)
About The Author
Julia Lynn Rubin received an MFA in Writing for Children & Young Adults from The New School. She received her BA in Anthropology & Film Studies from the University of Pittsburgh. Her short stories have appeared in publications such as the North American Review, Sierra Nevada Review, and The Lascaux Review. She currently serves as a writing mentor for Girls Write Now, New York City’s premiere writing program for high school girls. She lives in Brooklyn, where she is working on her next young adult novel.
Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads
Thanks again to Julia for taking the time for a Q&A session and stopping by the blog! Be sure to add Burro Hills to your reading list!
