Slow Bright Things
by Becky Bohan
Released: Nov 01, 2025
Genre: Literary / General Fiction
Why this book and why now?
The first sentence of the book sprang into my mind one day. It opened up the possibility of exploring how exes impact our lives and how communication needs to be clear and forthright. Given the times when there is so much miscommunication, I wanted to have my characters model positive ways to interact.
What is a significant way your book has changed since either the first draft or the way you thought it would turn out when you first had the inspiration?
The first draft was placed in COVID times. I stripped all of that out of subsequent drafts because it dated the story.
Do your character names have special significance or meaning?
Belmont means beautiful mountain. Kepler is the name of the scientist who formulated the laws of planetary motion. So, in the names of the two main characters, we have Earth (Ellie Belmont/grounded) and the cosmos (Kathryn Kepler/spiritual).
Did any real-life events or personal experiences influence the story?
I had trouble pronouncing “r”s when I was young. In the book, Ellie helps her neighbor boy, Brandon, with his speech impediment.
What’s one fun fact about your book that most people wouldn’t know?
Kathryn Kepler’s granddaughters are named after the Roddenberrys of Star Trek: Gene/Gena and Majel/Maddie.
What TV show would your main character(s) most likely binge watch and why?
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. Ellie is a big Star Trek fan.
Which character do you relate to the most, and why?
Ellie. I’m a soft butch who loves literature and struggles to “trust the process.”
Which character was the most fun to write, and which was the hardest?
The neighbor Melissa was the most fun to write because she’s a hilarious, compulsive talker. The hardest was Kathryn’s daughter, Jennifer, because she is a repressed and angry character who is hard to like.
If your book were to be adapted into a movie or TV show, who would be your dream cast?
Ann-Marie MacDonald (Ellie) and Annette Benning (Kathryn)
Publishing a book is a huge accomplishment and it’s time to party! Choose a celebratory beverage for one of your main characters to toast the release of your new book.
I’d raise a flute of Veuve Clicquot Champagne because it’s the beverage of celebration for Ellie and Kathryn.
What song does your character put on to start your book launch party?
“Some Enchanted Evening.” Ellie has that song from “South Pacific” as her ringtone for Kathryn.
If your book had a signature dessert, what would it be?
Salted caramel swirl ice cream
If your book had an official mascot, what (or who) would it be?
Captain Kathryn Janeway of the starship Voyager
Do you outline your books in detail, or do you prefer to discover the story as you write?
I let the story unfold as I write it.
Were there any books, movies, or personal experiences that influenced this story?
Shakespeare’s A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream
If you could have dinner with any author, living or dead, who would it be?
Jane Austen
