Author Signing with Lauren Kate

"Save the world, or save the girl” are the opening remarks, as author Lauren Kate reads from Teardrop, her newest book. She immediately held her audience captive as she sat down and started reading the very first sentence, rendering the children’s corner of the El Cerrito Barnes and Noble silent. 

With a small audience, it was as if we were all given the pass of a lifetime, as we were allowed to sit with one of the most brilliant minds and voices in young adult literature. Lauren Kate’s demeanor was soft spoken and sweet, as she took the time to answer all the questions that arose about her new book, Teardrop and her New York Times Bestselling series, Fallen.

Starting right off, the question on everyone’s mind, seemed to be the casting for the Fallen movie. With her book due to be released as a major motion picture sometime in 2014, the audience couldn’t help but discuss their opinions about their beloved Fallen characters and their actors’ match. Whether the audience loved the cast or questioned it, the one thing in common was the fact that the casting caused quite a reaction. When asked how Lauren Kate felt about the current cast, she remarked that she is an executive producer of the film, which gives her some say in the movie.

Lauren Kate also instantly put everyone’s mind at ease when she told the audience about the casting auditions.  She said she was blown away, not only by the actors themselves portraying the character, but the chemistry between the two leads. Everyone has their opinions and their ideal cast, but her main focus was the story. “The dark gothic love story, should trump everything.”

 Once everyone’s minds were put at ease, the questions flooded out about, Teardrop. The story of a girl, a boy, and the heartbreaking tale of a girl who cried an entire continent into the sea. While rumors that this story incorporates the mysterious city of Atlantis, I couldn’t help but ask where she came up with the ideas for her newest book.

Lauren Kate responded, "Teardrop came to me in two pieces. I use to live in Winters, CA where I was inspired by Lake Berryessa, and the flooded city within, Monticello. People were born, died, buried and have fallen in and out of love down there, deep under the lake. Which inspired me to research flood narratives, and vanished places.” 

She went on to explain her new found love for flood narratives, which of course also included the most famous flood narrative of all, Atlantis. Which made her wonder who would bring the story to life? Therein, bringing a new life to the story of Atlantis and the birth of a new series, Teardrop.

However, the most captivating part of her explanation was the story of how she got out of her writers block, one difficult night filled of deadlines, and lack of inspiration.  While there must be many nights that writers feel this way, it is something I have never seen any of them discuss. In a moment of honesty, Lauren Kate, explained an intimate moment that was instantly written into her book.

“While there are many barriers in the writing process, there are those physical barriers that separate you, where you are unable to make others understand. When words fail, it is a lonely place.” She went on to share an evening where she just couldn’t make anyone understand what she was feeling, she simply just sat down and cried. Knowing that there wasn’t any way to explain her feelings to her husband, she sat there lost. With one simple act of endearment, he took a tear from her eye with his finger and touched the tear to his eye, connecting them at that moment, if not through words but by actions. Leaving the question to resonate in her mind, can a tear unlock the story of Atlantis?

While many other questions were asked about the book, the theme of heartbreak and betrayal remained and a darker side emerged.

Endearing in her own right, Lauren Kate draws you in and captivates you. Making you want to jump into her next book, feet first. Where she believes strong characters need to be specific and unique, inviting us to walk the journey with them.  Summing up the evening with one last insight into her newest book, Lauren Kate said, “Love can make us do insanely wonderful and insanely terrible things.”

Teardrop, was published October 22, 2013 by Delacorte Books.