Author Interview: Alyssa Villaire

Get the inside scoop on ‘The Glittering Edge’!

Alyssa Villaire is the author of our April YA ‘Hexed Hearts’ featured book: The Glittering Edge.
Read on to get the inside scoop from inspiration to favourite scenes and more!

What inspired you to write The Glittering Edge?

When I started writing The Glittering Edge, I had spent years working on a very grim fantasy novel. That book drained me, and I started craving the kinds of stories that brought me comfort when I was growing up: stories with small town magic, complex family dynamics, and angsty romance. One day, as I was listening to some old soft rock from the early 2000s (probably The Goo Goo Dolls), an idea popped into my head: a girl in a small town caught in the middle of a deadly rivalry between two families. I knew right away that there was magic involved. I started writing, and the words flowed in a way they hadn’t in a long time. I knew this idea was something special, and I pushed myself to stick with it even as I rewrote draft after draft. I’m so glad I did!

Did you have to do any special research for The Glittering Edge?

I grew up in Indiana in a few different towns that inspired Idlewood, so my research consisted of reading my old journals and trying to recapture that feeling of being a teenager in a small town. There was so much yearning and dreaming in my journal entries, and I wanted that excitement (and anxiety!) about the world and all its possibilities to be part of the characters’ journeys in The Glittering Edge. I also had to research what has changed in Indiana since I lived there, from the names of newspapers to opinions about American football (go sports!).

Describe The Glittering Edge in 5 words.

Cozy, eerie, angsty, hopeful, magical!

Can you tell us about your writing process?

When I wrote The Glittering Edge, I was a pantser. I liked to discover the story as I went along. But throughout the revision process with my editor and agents, I learned to love outlines, and now I’m a plotter! I write progressively more detailed outlines as I go along. I start with an elevator pitch of one or two sentences. Then I write a “Save the Cat” beat sheet, and then a longer summary of three pages or more. Then I write a scene-by-scene outline. This is all before I start the draft! When I write the story, the plot is still evolving. But having these outlines helps me figure out pacing and resolve plot holes before I begin the draft, which saves a lot of time and makes it more fun to watch the story unfold on the page.

What was your favourite scene to write and why?

The drag show scene! It was so much fun to write about the costumes and come up with drag names for the characters.

Did you listen to any particular songs/playlists whilst you wrote this?

My favorite songs to listen to were “Miss Americana and the Heartbreak Prince” by Taylor Swift, “L-Trip” by James Ivy, and “Can’t Help Myself” by Now, Now. I made a whole playlist for the book that you can find on my website!

When you write, do you have any go-to snacks? If so, what are they?

I have a sweet tooth, so my favorite snacks have lots of sugar. My absolute favorite writing snack is boba. A close second are the Hello Kitty Azuki Mochi, which I buy at Japanese grocery stores in Los Angeles.

What did you find most challenging about writing this book?

The Glittering Edge felt more personal than the other books I’d written because, even though it’s fantasy, it’s set in the state where I grew up and deals with some family drama that’s based on my own experiences (not the curse, I promise!). I spent a lot of time questioning whether the book would be appealing to readers, if anyone would find Penny and Corey and Alonso relatable, or if people would even want to read a fantasy set in the rural United States. But I had such a good time writing this book, so I fought those doubts and chose to believe The Glittering Edge would find its readers. I never would’ve dreamt this book would end up getting a Fairyloot edition! 

What can you tell us (if anything) about the sequel?

I think the sequel has a darkness that The Glittering Edge doesn’t, and Penny, Corey and Alonso go through challenges that will shift their sense of identity and make them question what they really want from each other. So prepare for drama! Readers will also learn more about the magic in Penny’s world, and they’ll get to meet some new characters—including witches!