The following is an interview with Sarah Flocken regarding the upcoming release of her debut novel, Be Well, with Heliotrope Books. In this interview, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief Barbra Dillon chats with Flocken about her creative process in bringing the story and characters to life on the page, the themes that she hopes may resonate with readers, and more!
Barbra Dillon, Fanbase Press Editor-in-Chief: Congratulations on the upcoming release of Be Well! How would you describe the story’s overall premise, and what was its inspiration?
Sarah Flocken: Thank you! It’s pretty cool.
Here’s the one-sentence pitch I give when people ask me, “what’s your book about?” Be Well is about an awkward young woman who graduates straight into the Great Recession in 2009, does increasingly desperate and stupid things to avoid moving back in with her mother/living in the shadow of her televangelist father in her desert hometown, and gets involved with a maybe-cult along the way.
More on the inspiration in your next question, but I can definitely say now that Ann, my protagonist who hurtles straight into the Great Recession-ravaged economy of 2009, is based in part on my worst impulses when I was 22, under-employed, and living in L.A.
BD: What can you share with us about your creative process in bringing the story and characters to life on the page?
SF: Be Well actually originated in the fall of 2019, during an online class through UC San Diego Extension called “How to Start a Novel.” We were given an exercise one day in which we had to write down as many things as we could think of in two minutes that inspired us, interested us, or generally held our attention.
We had to be as specific as possible (i.e., instead of “magic” write Magic: The Gathering or “an opening act magician at Magic Castle in Los Angeles” or “a vengeful wizard practicing dark magic”). This was actually fairly easy and extremely fun for me, because I have a deep background in improv comedy, where you are encouraged to be as specific as possible in your made-up scenework.
Then, we were told to circle the top three list items that jumped out at us. The items I circled were “the Gem & Mineral Hall at the Los Angeles Museum of Natural History,” “heat ripples on asphalt during summertime in old Los Angeles,” and “the feeling of showering after a long, sweaty run.” I sketched out the initial premise, the main character Ann, and a rough outline for Be Well from there.
By the way, you’ll have to read the book to see which of those three list items made it into the final published version of Be Well.
Then, of course, I had to actually write the book. I had a vague idea that something big had to happen, but I honestly “pantsed” the first draft of Be Well, which means I wrote until I figured out the ending, painting myself into a lot of corners along the way. I began the first draft during the final months of 2019, assuming that I wouldn’t have to work on it for a while until after my wedding, which was planned for April 2020.
Welp, we all know how that ended.
Throughout the pandemic, after I rage-pantsed my way through the first draft, I printed out a physical copy and made some edits. Then I took it down the the studs and did a total rewrite for the third draft. Then, when I thought it was done, I hired a developmental editor to look at my 5th draft…and she made some suggestions that were brilliant and cut to the bone. I rewrote it again.
Anyway, before publication, Be Well went through 13 rounds of revisions, including multiple “back-down-to-the-studs” rewrites. Two of those revision rounds were with my agent, and I just did one light one after my book got picked up by Heliotrope.
When I tell that whole story to aspiring writers, some of them look at me with fear in their eyes, but far more breathe a huge sigh of relief. The point is, writing a book is a ride, and it’s often longer than you think. You’re not behind.
BD: At Fanbase Press, our #StoriesMatter initiative endeavors to highlight the impact that stories can have on audiences of various mediums. How do you feel that Ann’s story might connect with and impact readers?
SF: Elder millennials (a.k.a. people my age, who graduated straight into the post-Recession job market), are having a moment right now. We’re approaching middle age as the last generation to know both an analog and online life. Plus, there was a lot of absurdity during our formative years–we came of age against a backdrop of multiple “once-in-a-lifetime” events such as wars, recessions, pandemics, etc. While it’s incredibly goofy and unhinged in many ways, Ann’s story in Be Well is about exploring how easy it is to fall into unquestioning belief in something when you perceive your circumstances as desperate.
In fact, I’ve spent a lot of the past 5-6 years thinking about how uniquely cultish many aspects of American life are, and maybe how culty the world is becoming as things feel more unstable. In America, I think a lot of the truly disturbing social movements we’re seeing now (the rise of anti-vaxxers, MAGA, etc.) have roots in the wildly destabilizing time that was 2008-2009.
The one spoiler I will give is that Ann is by no means a role model–but she’s sure as hell relatable to a lot of people my age, and probably younger readers who are coming of age into an even more destabilizing time.
BD: What makes Heliotrope Books the perfect publishing partner for this story?
SF: Heliotrope is a small press out of New York, and they have an excellent track record of publishing slightly-too-dark, definitely funny books by smart people. I was thrilled and honored when Naomi, the owner/editor, showed interest in Be Well. In fact, shortly before Be Well came out, Heliotrope published This Incredible Longing, a memoir by Blair Glaser, who lived on an ashram run by what turned out to be a “high-control group,” a.k.a. a cult. It’s an incredibly nuanced, often funny and poignant look that doesn’t demonize the people who were drawn into and led the organization, but doesn’t absolve them of what they did to followers either. It’s worth a read.
BD: Are there any projects – past or current – that you would like to highlight for our readers?
SF: Right now, I’m in the process of revising a manuscript for my second novel. If you want to follow along with what I’m doing and read the occasional flash fiction piece, subscribe to my Substack, “What the Flock?”
Also, in addition to being an author, I’m a public relations professional, comedian, improviser, and pun contest host. My “pun contest host” role is of course what people are most interested in when I first meet them. Competitive punning is very much a thing nationwide, you can look it up! I host Pundemonium! San Diego’s Only Pun Competition, and it gives me a buzz like nothing else. Really GRAPE. Nothing to WINE about.
BD: Lastly, what is the best way for our readers to find more information about Be Well and your other work?
SF: Be Well is available online wherever books are sold, including Bookshop, Barnes & Noble, and that one billionaire’s website. Choose your own ordering adventure here.
If you’d like to keep up with what else I’m writing, you can subscribe to my Substack, “What the Flock,” and follow me on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook at @sarahflockenwrites. Give @sandiegopundemonium a follow, too, while you’re at it. I’ll try to make it worth your while.
