1--What is the title of your latest release?
WHO WE ARE NOW
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
It’s 2006 and Rachel, Clarissa, Dev, and Nate are best friends, seniors on the eve of their college graduation. Bound to one another as they are, they imagine their closeness will last forever—but things change as they take their first steps away from one another and into adulthood.
Each year is told from one character’s point of view, as these four friends feel their twenties and thirties flying by — and suddenly small moments fast become regrets or unexpected boons, decisions they’ll spend years wishing they could undo and choices that come to define them. As the foursome endure professional setbacks, deep loss, and creative success, fortunes shift and friendships strain—and it will take a tragic turn of events to bring them together again.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I followed the “write what you know” maxim in this book: I chose Northwestern University as the first setting because that’s where I went to school, and it was fun for me to revisit. I chose New York as the second setting because it’s where I spent almost all of my twenties — and because the city never ceases to inspire me. I’ve written two books set largely in New York, and I’m sure there will be more!
4--Would you hang out with your protagonists in real life?
Oh, boy. Yes, I think I would… but I did set out to create characters who were as deeply flawed as they are (hopefully!) relatable. For me, it’s hard to read Who We Are Now and say, “I wish all four of these characters were my very best friends.” It’s just not that kind of story. That said, I think Rachel and I would have lots to say to each other about the magazine industry, and we’re both runners. Dev and I would bond over writing, and Clarissa would make me laugh. Nate reminds me of a lot of guys I knew in college, and there’s still a sort of fondness there.
After years spent on this book, I really do feel affection for each of them in different ways. So, yes, I’d love to run into them and grab a coffee, at least!
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Rachel: Ambitious, affectionate, anxious
Dev: Spontaneous, curious, non-committal
Clarissa: Generous, honest, impulsive
Nate: Driven, sensitive, insecure
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
Honestly, the first thing that comes to mind is something factual and that kind of betrays my own ignorance. I did some research on the 2008 financial crisis, and the failure of Lehman Brothers, to inform Nate’s storyline. In the process, I realized that, broadly speaking, I had no idea about the inner workings of that — or any — investment bank. I remember interviewing someone who had worked at Lehman during that period, and I said something like, “Nate works in equities at Lehman, and I guess he’ll get fired, right?” And they said, “um, well, equities was making money for the business all year, and the division got sold to Barclays. Most of the younger staff would have stayed on.” And I thought, “oh, I have no idea what I’m talking about.” Anyway, it’s a very small point in the book, but it spurred me on to do a lot more research, so that was kind of an interesting thing.
The other, more abstract, thing I learned is related to friendship. I have so much empathy for each of my characters, even when they fight, or betray one another, or make mistakes. I think writing this book gave me more patience for people, in a way. It made me cherish the friendships I have even more deeply.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I absolutely MUST wait until I’m done. To me, that’s the golden rule of writing: you can’t edit a draft that doesn’t fully exist. I’m guilty of tweaking a sentence here and there, sure, but I force myself to write a first draft all the way through – no matter how messy — before I start editing.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Great question! I have so many, but maybe oysters? I will order them anywhere, on any menu, even when they’re overpriced. On the dessert front, anything lemon – lemon meringue, lemon tart, the list goes on.
Oh, and an ice-cold martini. Does that count?
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I have a desk space in our apartment, but I almost never write there. I wrote the bulk of Who We Are Now on the couch in our living room (in the pandemic period) and then finished editing at my favorite Toronto spots: shoutout to Annex Hotel, Creeds, and Carbonic Coffee.
10--Who is an author you admire?
There are SO many, but the number one name is Meg Wolitzer. It’s no secret that the idea of writing a younger, Millenial-era twist on some of the themes of The Interestings was a big part of my inspiration for Who We Are Now.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
See above. (Yes, The Interestings is definitely top of the list.)
The two others I would put in that category are Call Me By Your Name by Andre Aciman (it played a major role in my relationship with my now husband, which is a fun story for another day), as well as Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I was at my old office, near Madison Square Park in New York. I remember taking my phone and sneaking into an empty conference room to take the call from my agent, Allison Hunter. It was a lifelong dream come true — and I wanted to work with my now-editor, Cassidy Sachs at Dutton, more than anything. I remember coming out of the room trying to act normal, but then I went and told my colleagues right away anyway. They were thrilled for me!
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
Contemporary fiction. All types! I’d say there’s a part of my taste that leans literary, but I also love a great rom-com and a tightly constructed thriller.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
This is a tough one. I can name my top 10 favorite books off the top of my head, but movies make me stop and think.
Two classics that I can rewatch any time: Casablanca and When Harry Met Sally. Also, I see Double Indemnity any time it plays at an anniversary screening. (Actually, I’m just now realizing I really like Billy Wilder in general, possibly because of his belief, as a director, in the primacy of the writing in any film. I’m all about the writing, always!)
15--What is your favorite season?
Fall. Fall in New York is absolutely unmatched.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
A small dinner — in or out — with great wine and close friends.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I recently read Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld, and it was such a delight. Highly recommend! For a fun beach read with a lot of heart, I also recommend Kismet by Becky Chalsen (who has become a good friend).
For recent TV shows, I loved Beef on Netflix. I’m also very excited about season 2 of The Bear — I’ve turned all my friends onto that one.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Do I have to pick? Japanese (sushi in particular) or French, probably. Or Indian. (Help, I can’t decide!)
19--What do you do when you have free time?
Read, run, call my long-distance friends… or go out for a martini.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
I can’t say too much yet, but I’m working on something set partially in Bordeaux, where I spent a summer in my mid-twenties. It involves the wine world, which I’m personally very interested in. We’ll see! I have ideas for my next three or four books bouncing around in my mind already, and I’m just excited to keep writing!
Four friends. Fifteen years. Who We Are Now is a story of Sliding Doors moments, those seemingly small choices of early adulthood that determine the course of our lives.
It is 2006 and Rachel, Clarissa, Dev, and Nate are best friends, seniors on the eve of their college graduation. Their whole lives are before them, at once full of promise and anxiety. Bound to one another as they are, they imagine their closeness will last forever—but things change as they take their first steps away from one another and into adulthood.
Each year is told from one character’s point of view, and in that way, we stride swiftly through their lives. These four friends feel their twenties and thirties flying by, and suddenly small moments fast become regrets or unexpected boons, decisions they’ll spend years wishing they could undo and choices that come to define them. As the foursome endure professional setbacks, deep loss, and creative success, fortunes shift and friendships strain—and it will take a tragic turn of events to bring them together again.
Who We Are Now is a poignant story of epic friendship that jumps boldly through the years, moving at the same unforgiving pace as does that precious, confusing time between college and real life. This novel is perfect for readers who adore tales of friendship, explorations of the second coming of age moment that arrives in our thirties, and fans of Meg Wolitzer’s The Interestings or Dolly Alderton’s Ghosts.
Fiction [Dutton, On Sale: August 8, 2023, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780593182840 / ]
Lauryn Chamberlain was born and raised in Michigan. She studied journalism and French at Northwestern University and then moved to New York City, where she worked for several years as a journalist, freelance writer, and content strategist (sometimes simultaneously). She currently lives in Toronto.
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