The following is an interview with Ellen Sherman on the recent release of her debut coming-of-age novel, Bad Girls Go Everywhere. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Sherman about her creative process in bringing the world and characters to life on the page, the story’s themes which may resonate with readers, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the recent release of Bad Girls Go Everywhere! What can you tell us about the genesis behind the coming-of-age story, and how would you describe its overall premise?
Ellen Sherman: Full disclosure, the book is, in part, based on the two years I spent in London to pursue acting. Now I’m a professional writer and I’ve written almost everything except a book but for years I’ve had fun regaling friends with stories about my time in London. One friend kept saying you should write these down. Since I had so much fun telling stories about that time, I knew I’d have fun writing about it. I started with one short story and that led to another short story and soon I realized I had chapters. But then I realized I wanted to fictionalize a story about that time using my experiences as a jumping off for the narrative.
The book is a funny, irreverent coming-of-age story set in London 1968, where culture, politics, music, everything was changing. That’s where Rin, a naïve 21-year-old American girl is off to study acting and, in the process, defy her parents. So far, Rin’s done everything right. This is her one chance to do something daring.
Once there Rin gets pulled between her studies and the glittering roller-coaster life of Chelsea which presents challenges, temptations, and adventures she never anticipated. And then, she falls for a charismatic rogue who might be the love or her undoing. Bad Girls Go Everywhere is about defying expectations, chasing dreams, and discovering that sometimes getting gloriously lost is the only way to truly find yourself.
BD: How would you describe your creative process in bringing this story and its characters to life on the page?
ES: Luckily, I had diaries and even photos of my time in London and the many characters I encountered. That gave me a jumpstart as to the kinds of people I wanted to surround my character with. Those things also gave me a written and pictorial time machine back which helped me recall how a young girl would feel dropped into this totally different world. Initially, I took baby steps by writing short stories about the real events and characters. But that wasn’t going to make a novel. I realized that I wanted to tell a different story than the one I experienced, one that was more dramatic, with more things at stake. So, while the broad trajectory I took from real life….girl goes to London, has to unexpectedly make her own way and eventually decides to return to the States… I had to create a plot where more was at risk and choices were more difficult. So, while this started as more of a memoir, I eventually realized that a work of fiction was going to be the way I could tell the story I wanted to tell. As a writer you have to know when to switch lanes.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums and genres. How do you feel that Rin’s story may connect with and impact readers, and what, if any, conversations do you hope that it may inspire?
ES: I think it is never too late to take chances and instead of doing something “ right,” do something “ daring.” Coming-of-age stories can strike a chord for people of any age or background. For some, it might be nostalgia about a time in their life when they did something unexpected that took them on a different path. Maybe even going to a different college than the one their family had expected. Befriending someone that wasn’t their usual kind of acquaintance. Something that challenged them. Plus, reading about taking chances that aren’t so comfortable and can have difficult consequences is something with which many readers can identify. Equally… reading about taking chances that elicit delightful results is something, hopefully, we’ve all experienced. So, I think people will identify with Rin’s journey.
I hope the book will spark conversations about the pros and even the cons of reinvention, of taking that leap of faith to do something differently than you’ve done before.
BD: Are there any other projects that you would like to highlight for our readers?
ES: Absolutely. I’m just finishing a comic murder mystery that I hope will be out next year.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Bad Girls Go Everywhere?
ES: It’s now available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, AppleBooks and other sites.
linktr.ee/ellensuesherman
