Finding Mr. Brightside by Jay Clark Blog Tour

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Finding Mr. Brightside
Author: Jay Clark
Publisher: Henry Holt & Co.
Publication Date: March 24, 2015

Synopsis

Abram and Juliette know each other. They’ve lived down the street from each other their whole lives. But they don’t really know each other—at least, not until Juliette’s mom and Abram’s dad have a torrid affair that culminates in a deadly car crash. Sharing the same subdivision is uncomfortable, to say the least. They don’t speak.
Fast-forward to the neighborhood pharmacy, a few months later. Abram decides to say hello. Then he decides to invite her to Taco Bell. To her surprise as well as his, she agrees. And the real love story begins.

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Author Interview

How did writing Finding Mr. Brightside differ from writing The Edumacation of Jay Baker?

The Edumacation of Jay Baker had that weird element of this is kind of about my life, but not really, but actually a lot really in Chapter X, and so on. That was both liberating (because the characters feel so real) and confining at the same time, if that makes any sense, I’m having a hard time sounding interesting right now. Finding Mr. Brightside was more about this theme of how self-limiting beliefs (coupled with prescription medication) can lead to lives we don’t want for ourselves, and what happens when two people try help each other out of their respective ruts. Hopefully it helps readers who are going through something similar.

From idea to finished product how long did it take to write Finding Mr. Brightside?

• Fall 2012: Jay starts writing CVS scene. “This actually feels like it’s going somewhere that doesn’t suck,” says Jay, temporarily pleased with himself.

• Jan 2013: Jay submits first quarter of book to amazing editor Christy. “If she doesn’t like it, I’m ruined!!” says Jay, throwing his hands to the sky. 

• Jan 2013: Christy likes it. Jay isn’t ruined, after all. “It was just my paranoia again,” says Jay, throwing his hands to the sky (this has now become an awkward habit).

• April 2013: Jay takes plot in an unexpectedly dumb direction. Christy corrects course in a comforting way that doesn’t send Jay off the rails.

• Nov 2013: Christy LOVES the book! “I LOVE it when Christy uses all caps,” says Jay in his annoying former-teacher’s-pet voice.

• Jan 2014-Oct 2014: Jay and Christy do their editing thang. Magic happens?

If Finding Mr. Brightside had a theme song what would it be?

• Not "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers, ironically enough.

• Not “She Wolf” by Shakira, although that modern-day classic is in the book and on the Finding Mr. Brightside playlist over at my website. 

Emily: Random side note: I adore the song "She Wolf"! Shakira is my jam. 

• Probably "The Heart of Life" by John Mayer

What was the last book you read and loved?

Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell. If you combine her name with my book, you get “Rainbow Brightside,” so it’s like we were meant to be best author friends (BAFs). At the very least, follow each other on Twitter. We’re halfway there. 

Are you working on anything new at the moment? Are you allowed to tell us?

I’m trying to take Twitter by storm, but no one cares if I’m impersonating the Meow Mix cat singing “Call Me Maybe” in the shower, apparently, which I understand on some level—i.e., the level that isn’t hungry for Favorites and trying to embed my username into this answer (@jaypatrickclark). Other than that, each night, I tell my subconscious to come up with an amazing new book idea while I’m sleeping—even set a pen and paper by my bedside—but so far it’s come up with the Meow Mix tweet and a few other snoozers about the writing process. It’ll come through eventually, my brain. And then I’ll request that it get back to you with a better answer, promise.

Emily: Thanks so much for stopping by Jay! This interview was a lot of fun =)

About The Author

Jay Clark is the author of The Edumacation of Jay Baker, which was named a Bank Street College Best Book. He’s also a random blogger. Surprisingly popular entries like “How to stop hating people in 21 minutes” and “8 tips for posting your best selfie yet!” can be found on his website: jayclarkbooks.com. He lives in Columbus, Ohio.

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Finding Mr. Brightside by Jay Clark Blog Tour