Apparently, We're the Problem Series
Get a behind-the-scenes all-access pass to Demi Blaize's Apparently, We're the Problem Series
***Series Synopsis***
If you've ever been called a 'bitch', 'torture, 'trouble', or 'toxic', you've come to the right place.
This interconnected standalone series of spicy romantic comedies centers on the traits society tells women they shouldn't have.
These books feature swoon-worthy green-flag male characters, and strong unapologetic female heroines who manage to find love while battling with their high-stake careers.
If you like conflict from page 1, witty banter, relatable characters, found family, and spice, you'll LOVE this series!
What is the sub-genre and trope? Did your characters lead you to this genre or was that decided before the story began?
Contemporary Romantic Comedy
Apparently, I’m Trouble contains the following tropes (however, the first two books in the series feature similar tropes, but are friends to enemies to lovers, or friends to lovers):
A Happily Ever After
A swoon-worthy single grumpy dad
A witty, hilarious heroine
High-stakes workplace conflict
Opposites attract
Found Family
He falls first
Open door, slow burn EARNED spice
Dual first person POV (point of view)
My characters led me to this genre. I tried to write something that would fit in women’s fiction, but as the first set of stories evolved, they fit the structure of romantic comedies so well.
Are you more character or plot driven?
Character driven. Definitely.
With many main and secondary characters, how do you keep them separated in your mind? Do you have a story/vision board above your workspace?
I keep separate character sheets and profiles, and I go back and re-read my books to refresh when I’m ready to work on the next book.
I feel like I know my characters so well, though, so I don’t actually consult these sheets often, but they’re great tools to help me get started.
I know from previous interviews that characters take on a life of their own. Were any of the characters in this series determined to take their own direction instead of where you initially wanted them to go?
Yes! In my latest book, I originally wanted Mia to have her own career goal separate from how it would affect her best friend and boss, Lilly.
But that just wasn’t Mia.
She’s the kind of character who cares deeply about others, so her goal couldn’t be about her. It had to be about helping Lilly.
Are any of the male POVs based on anyone you know?
It’s a running joke that every one of my male characters who have their own POV (four so far) are a version of my husband.
In book 1, Tristan is considerate and empathetic.
In book 2, Shawn is logical and controlled.
In book 3, Theo is a grumpy but capable and skilled single parent who is more of a loner.
In book 4 (my free standalone novel, Working From Home, which isn’t connected to this series), Jack is impulsive but protective and caring.
My husband is all these things at different times, so I pick and choose, and craft my heroine’s love interest from there.
Are any of the female POVs based on anyone you know?
Book 1 is based on a friend of mine who is often called a b*tch, but actually has a heart of gold, but all my other heroines (Lilly, Mia and Chloe) are based on parts of my personality and how I’d react in certain situations.
Oddly enough, they’re actually the more difficult characters to write.
Was there any one character that was harder to write about than the other?
Lilly from book 2 was my most difficult character. What was most difficult about writing her was trying to make sure her chronic anxiety didn’t take over every aspect of her character.
She might have chronic anxiety, but she’s resilient despite it. She’s smart and caring and resourceful, and has a deeply imbedded need to people-please that isn’t easily broken. Weaving these aspects of her into every scene was a great challenge for me.
What is your favorite book in the series?
Definitely book 3, Apparently, I’m Trouble. Writing this book was a pure joy.
I know that we aren’t supposed to have “favorites” as far as our children, but seriously, who’s your favorite character and why?
Lilly. Purely because she’s so layered and complex, and was such a challenge for me.
I do love all my characters intensely, though.
Series question - Who is your favorite couple and why did you decide on their dynamics?
Nikki and Tristan from book 1 are my favorite couple, because they have to really compromise to make it work.
There are so many insecurities they face as characters, and the way they complement each other was something that took effort to bring out.
How do you get inside these characters’ heads to find their perfect HEA?
This is a really difficult question!
It feels like I’m giving a cop-out answer, but honestly, I’m a highly sensitive and empathetic person, so it’s always been really easy for me to see someone else’s point of view – to put myself in their shoes and imagine how they’re feeling.
When I’m writing, it isn’t any different. Once I know the defining traits of my characters, knowing how they’ll react in situations that ultimately lead to their HEA feels second nature.
What scene in this book/series sticks out the most for you? Why?
In Apparently, I’m Trouble, the scene that sticks out the most for me is the conversation between Lilly and Mia, where Lilly teases Mia for believing the Universe is pushing her and Theo together.
It’s a great representation of their relationship, which has been my favorite thing to write in my entire series so far.
I love their friendship. I love how they show up for each other. And I love that they’re so sure the other person has their back.
Series - Were any of the books harder to write than others?
My second book, Apparently, I’m Torture was the hardest to write by far.
The then vs now timeline coupled with Lilly’s complex character balance was a challenge I loved, but it was definitely a challenge!
How long did it take you to write this book/series?
Every book is different for me. Apparently, I’m A B*tch (Book 1) was completed in 3 months. Apparently, I’m Torture (Book 2) was completed in 5 months. Apparently, I’m Trouble was completed in 8 months.
It’s funny though, because although book 3 took the longest amount of time, it was probably the easiest to write.
How did you come up with the title for your books and series?
My husband and friend are to credit for the ‘Apparently’ series. One day, during a conversation, my husband told my friend (in a good-natured way), “You’re such a b*tch,” which she took as a compliment – I know. My friends are weird and I love them.
She then replied, ‘Apparently’, and I was writing the first book at the time. It was a light bulb moment, and I’m glad it happened because I love my series name and the names of each of the books.
Originally, the first two books were meant to be part of a series called The Double Shot Duet, and for a while they were. But as readers kept requesting more books within the small contemporary world I created, it grew from there, so I had to workshop a new series name that was more than a ‘duet’.
Taylor Swift’s song, The Anti-Hero was already viral while I was writing book 3, so when I heard the line it’s me. Hi. I’m the problem, it’s me, it just fit so well.
Apparently, We’re The Problem was created from there.
If you met these characters in real life would you get along?
Yep. No question.
Series question – Did you know in advance that you were going to write this as a series or did one of the characters in book one demand their own story?
Book 1 was always meant to be a standalone, actually! But the beta readers I had at the time wanted a book about Lilly, so I wrote it.
Then it was meant to just be left as a duet, but then readers requested a book about Mia. So I thought about who else could reasonably get their own HEA, and Rochelle came to mind instantly.
Rochelle was the villain in my first book. Closing the series with her story just feels like the right move.
If your book/series were made into a movie, which actors do you see as playing your characters?
Oh this is easy. I’ve thought about this a lot.
Justin Baldoni as Tristan (B1)
Ana de Armas as Nikki (B1)
Emma Stone as Lilly (B2)
Michael B. Jordan (not the basketball player, the actor from Black Panther) as Shawn (B2)
Natalie Portman for Mia (B3)
Jared Padalecki for Theo (B3)
Can you give us a hint as to what we can expect next? Whether a new book and series or a sequel to an existing series? Can you share a small tease?
Ah! I can’t reveal anything about the next book title yet, but it’ll definitely be based on Rochelle and her childhood next-door neighbor, Cole.
There will be small-town drama, a ton of spice, humor and banter, all while Rochelle tries to prove to herself, and everyone else, that she isn’t as bad a person as they once thought she was.
I’m really excited to write her redemption story!
Not afraid to get into all things spicy, Demi writes with angst, swoon and humour. Picking up one of her books guarantees a good time.
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Email: demi@demiblaize.com
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APPARENTLY, I'M A BITCH by Demi Blaize
Apparently, We're the Trouble - Book 1
https://books2read.com/Apparently-Im-a-Btch
Nikki is not a bitch… is she?
Starting her career as a lawyer in New York has been the most difficult challenge she’s faced so far, but when her best friend, Tristan, decides to buy and renovate the one place she’s always used as an escape, Nikki's unfiltered opinion wounds not only Tristan’s pride, but their nine-year long friendship.
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