1. Could you give a brief summary about The Deepest Secret?
The Deepest Secret is about Tyler, a teenager born with a rare and fatal disease that means he can never be exposed to sunlight, Eve, the mother who will do anything to keep him safe, and the community in which they live that erupts in chaos after a young girl suddenly goes missing.
2. What was your inspiration for writing The Deepest Secret?
I wanted to talk about the unique and special relationship that exists between mothers and sons.
3. Could you give us an interesting fun fact about The Deepest Secret?
Tyler's disease, xeroderma pigmentosum, is real, and affects about 2000 Americans. Every summer, the XP Foundation hosts Camp Sundown in upstate New York; kids from all over the world travel at great personal danger to themselves so they can be with other kids like themselves for one golden week.
4. Were you a reader or a non-reader growing up?
Absolutely a reader!
5. How did you celebrate publishing your first book?
Parties with all of those who supported and encouraged me during the twelve years it took to get published! I held a party at a local bookstore in Columbus, Ohio; my aunt held a party for me in my hometown of Washington DC; and a friend held a party for me in Baltimore.
6. What’s your favorite book when you were a kid? Do you have a favorite book now?
I loved the Laura Ingalls Wilder series, and am currently enthralled with Jennifer Egan's Manhattan Beach.
7. Silly-Game question: From The Deepest Secret novel (with your eyes close) could you please leaf through the pages and point at a random place. What is the full sentence? And what is the page number of this random sentence?
"Yes, but Tyler knows there's a difference between looking and finding." p. 149
8. What’s the best advice you have ever received about writing?
That it's fifty percent talent and fifty percent perseverance.
9. Could you express what part of The Deepest Secret (without any spoilers) that gave you writer’s block and how did you get over it?
It was tremendously difficult to know where to start the story. I wrote a number of opening chapters, and had drafted the entire novel before I was able to go back and see where things needed to open.
10. What advice do you wish someone had given you when you were younger?
I've always wanted to be a writer and wish I'd gotten encouragement early on. Instead, I tried a variety of careers before finally giving myself permission to write a novel. I have to admit, however, that all those life experiences inform my work today, so maybe things did work out for the best.
11. What do you want readers to remember about The Deepest Secret?
That we can never truly know what's in someone else's heart and that we should be kinder to one another as a result.
12. Congrats on your novel The Deepest Secret being optioned by Oscar-nominated (Bridge of Spies)producer Marc Platt, Is there any particular scene you would like to see on the big screen?
Thank you! It's very exciting now that Scarlett Johansson is interested in playing the role of Eve. Besides seeing my name! on the big screen, I'm very much looking forward to the scenes between Tyler and his sister, Melissa.
13. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and what would you do?
I'd love to visit Egypt and see the pyramids.
14. Last question, could you inform us about The Good Goodbye and why it should be everybody’s next read right after The Deepest Secret?
The Good Goodbye is about two families whose lives are thrown into turmoil when their daughters at college--who are cousins and best friends--are seriously injured in a blaze that police suspect is arson, and they realize their daughters had been living secret lives.
Very happy to have gotten an interview from Ms. Carla Buckley. My great appreciation to Ms. Carla Buckley for answering my questions. Much success in her writing endeavors, and especially with her baby The Deepest Secret, being made into feature film. I hope everyone of you would check out the book before the movie comes on the big screen. I really hope the film adaptation turns out excellent. I wish everyone of you a wonderful, blessed holiday season. Take care and stay merry.