For my thirteenth Chat With Me Thursday, I am overjoyed to be featuring Natalie Walton, author of Revenge of the Sluts. Set to be released February 2, 2021, I read an ARC in October, and I must say, it was an absolutely outstanding debut that I am so glad I had the privilege to read. (Review here)
Just before I get to the interview content, I want to extend my thanks over to Wattpad Book's Andrea, and of course, to Natalie, it was a pleasure working with both of you and I can't thank you enough for your time.
Now, onto the interview.
It’s kind of a mix. On one hand, the planning and researching process for Revenge of the Sluts was emotionally draining; it was a lot of reading news articles, statistics, policy, most of which was pretty heavy. But on the other, I found it really cathartic to write a book like ROTS and to have an outlet. I think it’s difficult, but it’s necessary, which makes it worth it.
I think the most important thing is to take breaks. At the time I was writing Revenge of the Sluts I was also taking social science classes that often talked about sexual violence, I was volunteering on a sexual offense support hotline, I was reading non-fiction about sexual violence. It was a lot. I’d find that I wouldn’t think what I was consuming was affecting me, but then I’d have these periods of strong negative emotions or increased stress for seemingly no reason. But that helped me see when I was pushing myself too far and needed breaks, and I think that’s the most important thing anyone can do for themselves. Your body knows. Even if you think it’s fine and you can handle it, take the time to process, take the time to do other things like watch movies or work on a different project.
2. What came to you first when writing ROTS, the plot or the characters?
The title was actually the first thing, which is kind of funny. I remember watching the movie Easy A as a young teen and for the first time feeling validated in a lot of my frustration and discomfort with the things I’d see and hear. I watched the movie at a friend’s house and literally on the walk home, I was like “I could totally write a book about this.” I knew immediately it needed to be Revenge of the Sluts, a la Revenge of the Nerds (a movie I hadn’t seen then and funnily enough still haven’t seen). This was back in, like, 2011 and after writing maybe three chapters, I quickly realized I was in way over my head and put the project to the side for seven years. Sloane was the only character who carried over from the 2011 draft into 2018; the rest of the current cast didn’t exist in 2011 because that draft wasn’t a mystery and there was no journalism piece.
But for the draft we have today, the plot was first. I had key things that I really wanted to see in the book and explore—journalism, revenge porn, slut shaming, mystery—and kind of forced them all together. The characters formed alongside that as the plot outline developed. I knew I’d need a newsroom, a Slut Squad, things like that, and adapted the cast to fit those needs.
3.What was your favourite part of writing ROTS?
I really loved writing any of the Slut Squad scenes. Any part where Eden is talking to the girls, or where the girls are talking amongst each other were my easiest scenes in some ways just because I could visualize the Slut Squad so vividly. I also loved writing anything about Sloane. I knew from the beginning she was going to be a huge piece of the story and Eden’s development, but she really became such a scene stealer in the best way.
4. What was the most challenging?
I struggled a lot with tone. I really think that’s part of why I ended up never getting far in the 2011 version, which was originally a socially driven, borderline romantic comedy. I went back and forth on if I wanted it to be funny—something like Mean Girls—or if I wanted it to be dark and snappy, like Heathers, or really serious and heart wrenching. But when I started writing the 2018 draft, the one we see today, I realized it verged more into a journalistic style, like a very observational, not exactly emotionally removed but kind of stilted tone, which works for Eden and her more serious, driven personality. I really like the tone it took on, and it feels very appropriate, but it meant shifting my expectations somewhat and being comfortable with writing a more muted narrating style.
5. Was the publishing process different than you expected?
I think there are a lot of things I expected; I knew I’d have to write and edit a lot and that I’d play a role in picking the cover and things like that—the obvious pieces we see as readers—but there’s a lot that’s surprised me. The one thing that stands out the most is just how many people are actually involved in publishing. I knew that a lot of people had to come together to get a book out—books are big business with a lot of moving parts, so that makes sense to me—but I didn’t know how many people that actually was until ROTS. It feels like I’m constantly being introduced to new people or seeing new names in terms of editing, marketing, publicity, who are helping get the book from point A to B to C. It’s all very exciting.
I think the most important thing is to take breaks. At the time I was writing Revenge of the Sluts I was also taking social science classes that often talked about sexual violence, I was volunteering on a sexual offense support hotline, I was reading non-fiction about sexual violence. It was a lot. I’d find that I wouldn’t think what I was consuming was affecting me, but then I’d have these periods of strong negative emotions or increased stress for seemingly no reason. But that helped me see when I was pushing myself too far and needed breaks, and I think that’s the most important thing anyone can do for themselves. Your body knows. Even if you think it’s fine and you can handle it, take the time to process, take the time to do other things like watch movies or work on a different project.
2. What came to you first when writing ROTS, the plot or the characters?
The title was actually the first thing, which is kind of funny. I remember watching the movie Easy A as a young teen and for the first time feeling validated in a lot of my frustration and discomfort with the things I’d see and hear. I watched the movie at a friend’s house and literally on the walk home, I was like “I could totally write a book about this.” I knew immediately it needed to be Revenge of the Sluts, a la Revenge of the Nerds (a movie I hadn’t seen then and funnily enough still haven’t seen). This was back in, like, 2011 and after writing maybe three chapters, I quickly realized I was in way over my head and put the project to the side for seven years. Sloane was the only character who carried over from the 2011 draft into 2018; the rest of the current cast didn’t exist in 2011 because that draft wasn’t a mystery and there was no journalism piece.
But for the draft we have today, the plot was first. I had key things that I really wanted to see in the book and explore—journalism, revenge porn, slut shaming, mystery—and kind of forced them all together. The characters formed alongside that as the plot outline developed. I knew I’d need a newsroom, a Slut Squad, things like that, and adapted the cast to fit those needs.
3.What was your favourite part of writing ROTS?
I really loved writing any of the Slut Squad scenes. Any part where Eden is talking to the girls, or where the girls are talking amongst each other were my easiest scenes in some ways just because I could visualize the Slut Squad so vividly. I also loved writing anything about Sloane. I knew from the beginning she was going to be a huge piece of the story and Eden’s development, but she really became such a scene stealer in the best way.
4. What was the most challenging?
I struggled a lot with tone. I really think that’s part of why I ended up never getting far in the 2011 version, which was originally a socially driven, borderline romantic comedy. I went back and forth on if I wanted it to be funny—something like Mean Girls—or if I wanted it to be dark and snappy, like Heathers, or really serious and heart wrenching. But when I started writing the 2018 draft, the one we see today, I realized it verged more into a journalistic style, like a very observational, not exactly emotionally removed but kind of stilted tone, which works for Eden and her more serious, driven personality. I really like the tone it took on, and it feels very appropriate, but it meant shifting my expectations somewhat and being comfortable with writing a more muted narrating style.
5. Was the publishing process different than you expected?
I think there are a lot of things I expected; I knew I’d have to write and edit a lot and that I’d play a role in picking the cover and things like that—the obvious pieces we see as readers—but there’s a lot that’s surprised me. The one thing that stands out the most is just how many people are actually involved in publishing. I knew that a lot of people had to come together to get a book out—books are big business with a lot of moving parts, so that makes sense to me—but I didn’t know how many people that actually was until ROTS. It feels like I’m constantly being introduced to new people or seeing new names in terms of editing, marketing, publicity, who are helping get the book from point A to B to C. It’s all very exciting.
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That's all for this Chat With Me Thursday! Natalie's Revenge of the Sluts is expected to hit shelves February 2, 2021. Until then, don't forget to add it to your Goodreads TBR!
