Get ready to learn more about the book The 1,308 Days in this discussion with sapphic author Rachel Murphy.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Rachel Murphy about The 1,308 Days, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Beach Reads category in the 2024 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write The 1,308 Days?
I started this book in 2020 when I realized that life was short and anything could happen unexpectedly (aka a pandemic). At first it was just a distraction for me to write about two women falling in love in an unexpected way but then I realized that this was the sign for me to get back into writing seriously and fulfill my own dreams of becoming a published author. I didn’t need to rely on an agent or a publisher; I could do it all on my own.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
Katelyn is my favorite character because she has a pure heart and genuinely is a good person. Not that Isabella isn’t a good person, but she has a much tougher exterior and a lot of layers. I can see a lot of myself in Katelyn such as being confident when necessary but insecure at other times. She’s human and I think very relatable; and maybe can invoke a bit of envy of the relationship she found herself having with someone she never thought she had a chance with.
How much research did you need to do for The 1,308 Days?
I did some research about anger management because I wasn’t sure how those meetings would actually be conducted, but I learned about the topics that would be addressed and prompts for discussions. I’m sure there is a lot more that could have been done to convey that experience but how they met was just one small part of the story and not something that I wanted to define their relationship.
What is your favorite line from your book?
“I love you more today than I did yesterday but not as much as I will tomorrow.” Even though if was influenced by the Spiral Staircase song, it still warms my soul and feels so romantic.
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose?
JJ Arias. I’ve read all of her books and I think hanging out having a cafecito and pastelitos while discussing Sapphic books would be so much fun.
Is there a particular genre you would love to write but only under a pseudonym?
I’d like to write books about complicated family matters, maybe even with a bit of a mystery element to them as well. I actually have one completed that I am not ready to let loose into the world but maybe one day!
What has helped or hindered you most when writing a book?
I am definitely my own worst enemy and can hinder myself. If I feel like the story isn’t flowing or if I am dealing with a lot in my personal life, I may feel a bit more defeated and stop writing and set myself back. It’s definitely a process and the more I let myself be carefree, the more I can get done that I am proud of.
Have you ever cried when writing an emotional scene?
When Isabella and Katelyn have their first major fight (spoiler alert) I definitely got a pang of pain my chest and have shed a tear. In that moment, I imagined how it would feel to be on the receiving end of that lashing and how devastating it would feel that I truly sympathized with Katelyn and just wanted to reach out and hug her and tell her it would be okay – because I knew it would be.
What books did you grow up reading?
I grew up reading books of all varieties from biographies of famous people, young adult series, and thrillers. I also of course read all the sapphic books that I could find but I wish I had all of the options available to me now back when I was growing up!
Describe your favorite reading spot.
It might not be the best thing for my sleeping habits, but I really like reading in bed. I find it a soothing way to calm down after a long day and lose myself in another world while being completely comfortable.
