Get ready to learn more about the book You Matter in this discussion with sapphic author Jazzy Mitchell.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Jazzy Mitchell about You Matter, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Single Parent Romance category in the 2024 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write You Matter?
Since I worked in a law firm from the time I entered law school, I saw many disgruntled clients who didn’t understand the legal process or how their actions might have contributed toward the crux of a lawsuit. I also tapped into some situations when clients reacted in extreme ways to losing their cases. Besides the thriller aspect, I wanted to write a romance where the two main characters get to know each other, fall in love, and make each other better as they navigate their relationship. I wrote some of my favorite tropes, including workplace romance, age gap, single parent, and found family.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
My favorite character in You Matter is Ben, Chrissy’s son. He’s fourteen years old when we first meet him, and a wonderful person. I modeled Ben after my son, who was at a similar age when I wrote the book. My son is a sensitive, thoughtful teen who, like Ben, is also an athlete. Although I don’t get to spend nearly as much time with my son as I’d like, I cherish when we are able to be together.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
The main character, Chrissy, feels she’s dispensable and not worth loving. As a single mother who was cast out by her family when she became pregnant while in high school, she lost her family, her boyfriend, and her friends. She was entirely alone and that stuck with her as she struggled to make a life for herself and her son. Chrissy gets hurt when a gunman tries to kill her boss, Reggie. As she lies on the floor, delirious with pain, Chrissy doesn’t care that she might die, as long as her son, Ben, and Reggie are safe. She says as much to Reggie, who tells her, “You matter to me.” And that’s what Chrissy needs to learn throughout the book—how others treated her in the past is not who she is. She does matter.
If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?
Yes! I am in the middle of writing the sequel. In Book 2 of You Matter, which takes place five years after the shooting attempt, Frank Hogan’s daughter, Stephanie, wants revenge for her family’s implosion and her father’s death. When her father died, he left a debt to the mob that she and her mother must pay off. She finds a way to infiltrate Hawk, Esposito & Associates with the goal of getting close to Reggie and Chrissy and destroying their lives. When Steph is caught and arrested, she agrees to become a confidential informant against the mob in exchange for having the charges dropped against her.
What’s your favorite writing snack or drink?
My guilty pleasure is movie popcorn. I go to the movie theater and buy a large, buttered popcorn to eat while working on my writing project. It always cheers me up and gets me into a special mindset to write.
How do you celebrate when you finish your book?
Oddly enough, I go on a reading splurge. I don’t read many stories while I am writing since I don’t want to subconsciously borrow any storylines or even any wonderful turns of phrases I read. Once finish a manuscript, I put it away for a few weeks, and during that time I read fanfiction and several books on my TBR list.
What author in your genre do you most admire, and why?
I admire many authors in the romance genre. They are accomplished in their craft and are able to execute superb stories. You need only take a look at the best-sellers list or my bookshelves to know who they include. A small sampling of names are Lee Winter, Clare Ashton, Jae, Karin Kallmaker, Lori L. Lake, and Ann McMan. That’s off the top of my head. So many more!
Have you ever hated one of your characters?
For You Matter, I hated Chrissy’s parents, who disowned her when she became pregnant while in high school. Chrissy needed support, but her parents used their religious beliefs as the reason for turning their backs on her. When they reappear in her life, they try to manipulate her into marrying Ben’s father. Trying to control someone that way isn’t love, and I hated how their love for their daughter had strings attached. No redemption occurred in this book, but it may happen in the sequel.
What books did you grow up reading?
I read a lot of fantasy books like the DragonLance series, The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings, and A Wrinkle in Time. Those books taught me to use my imagination and some of the larger themes of good versus evil. Of course, I read traditional literary works in school, and that impacted me by broadening my awareness of how people act and what motivates them. Once I started to write, I kept in mind my reactions to my favorite stories and how those authors crafted their works to evoke those responses.
Do you only read books in one genre or do you genre hop?
I read everything, depending on my mood and what’s happening in my world. Sometimes when I’m stressed and want to raise my spirits, I’ll read romance or a romantic blend with a happily ever after. If I’m feeling restless, I’ll read adventure or a thriller. If I want to get out of my head and indulge in new worlds and possibilities, I’ll pick up fantasy or science fiction. And sometimes when I’m feeling at a loss about the world and wondering how humans still exist, I’ll read a good post-apocalyptic story.
