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Interviewing Allison L. Bitz, Author of The Unstoppable Bridget Bloom
About Allison L. Bitz:
Allison L. Bitz hails from Lincoln, NE, where she lives with her spouse and two kids. Her superpower is empathy, and she’s been known to have resting tell-me-your-life-story face. Allison holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology and has worked as a licensed psychologist since 2012.
When she’s not working on a novel or counseling, Allison is more than likely writing a song, getting riled up about something political, or trying to track down a pastry to enjoy with her coffee. She has a soft spot for rescue animals, which are vying for species majority in her home (two perfect dogs, two ornery cats).
The Unstoppable Bridget Bloom is her debut novel. You can learn more about Allison at her website, or follow her on Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok.
How do you create unique names for your characters?
I spend time thinking about who my character is and what they *feel* like to me as a person—and from there, I usually try a few names on until one fits.
Very occasionally I have a name I want to use and create a character around that name. And sometimes, I name characters after important people in my own life. In The Unstoppable Bridget Bloom, Bridget’s grandma is named Evelyn—and so is mine, and Richard James Academy is named for both of my grandpas and my spouse.
Which scene proved to be the most challenging to write, and what were the reasons behind it?
In The Unstoppable Bridget Bloom, the hardest scene to nail was all of Chapter 1. This book had SEVEN different versions of Chapter 1, and then revisions and tweaks when the final version stuck.
Starting a novel in the right place has proven to be a challenging task for me as a writer, not just in Bridget but in nearly every novel I’ve penned.
How do you fully immerse yourself in the minds of your characters?
I have the good fortune to have a day job where I spend big chunks of time talking to people and trying to understand how they think, feel, and what motivates them to change. (I’m a licensed psychologist.)
Often when I’m writing a character, I consider what they would be like in the therapy room—how they would describe their internal selves, how they would interact with me in the room, what makes them tick and what scares them. This thought exercise helps me craft character and it’s also especially useful for writing dialogue.
Often when I’m writing a character, I consider what they would be like in the therapy room—how they would describe their internal selves, how they would interact with me in the room, what makes them tick and what scares them.
What are some must-read books, both fiction and non-fiction, that you would highly recommend?
For non-fiction craft books, I have leaned heavily on Story Genius by Lisa Cron and Save the Cat Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody. These are both useful guides on structuring story and writing a compelling narrative.
A handful of my favorite fiction books: In YA, The Other Side of Infinity by Joan F. Smith and A British Girl’s Guide to Hurricanes and Heartbreak by Laura Taylor Namey are two new releases that are very, very good. In adult, In Five Years by Rebecca Serle, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid top my list.
If you were to have an opportunity to be mentored by a renowned author, who would you choose, and what draws you to their mentorship?
I would love to be mentored by Emily Henry. Her novels have everything that I aspire to: deep, meaningful character development, whipcrack pacing, witty banter, smart plotting, and satisfying endings. What more could I ask for?
Do you have any favorite snacks or drinks that you enjoy while reading?
It is rare that I write without coffee. For reading, I’m more flexible in my intake. 😊 Hot tea and croissants are favorites.
Opinion on Shakespeare?
To be honest, I don’t truly have a hot take on Shakespeare. I love Othello? That’s about it.
In conclusion, what lasting impressions do you hope your writing will leave with readers?
What I hope readers take away from reading The Unstoppable Bridget Bloom is that change is possible even for stubborn, willful people, empathy can be learned and nurtured, love and infatuation are not the same thing, and taking the time to truly listen to others is one key to healthy relationships.
… change is possible even for stubborn, willful people, empathy can be learned and nurtured, love and infatuation are not the same thing, and taking the time to truly listen to others is one key to healthy relationships.
Synopsis of The Unstoppable Bridget Bloom
Bridget Bloom’s out-of-this-world voice is the perfect fit for center stage. When Bridget’s admitted to Richard James Academy, a college prep boarding school with a prestigious music program—where heartthrob Duke Ericson attends—all her dreams are on track to come true: leave the hometown where she’s never belonged, fall in love, and launch her Broadway career.
But upon arriving at the academy, she learns that due to her low music theory scores, she’s not eligible to perform or earn the sponsorship she needs to afford the tuition. Worst of all, Dean of Students Octavia Lawless, the one person with the power to reverse the decision, challenges her to work on her humility . . . by not singing at all.
Without her voice, Bridget will have to get out of her comfort zone and find a new way to shine. Good thing she is unstoppable!
