80s retro romance and a woman’s right to choose
(permalink)An interview with Skye McDonald, author of 80s retro romance, The Not So Nice Girl.
JL PERIDOT: The Not So Nice Girl has had a long and interesting road from conception to publication. Tell us a bit about that, and why this release is extra special for you.
SKYE MCDONALD: This book was first drafted in 2017 as a 1st person POV story. It was always meant to be the love story between Celeste’s parents in Not Suitable for Work. I drafted it and left it on the proverbial shelf for a long time. With the first 3 Anti-Belle books out in the world, I decided to pause and dive into the prequels.
It felt on time to do a book set in the 80s, especially since the book touches on a woman’s right to choose. But mostly I just wanted to wrap my arms around the 80s nostalgia and bring out a fun summer romp.
But this book is close to my heart for personal reasons too. I incorporated several elements of my family into it. Mac, the record store owner, is a characterization of my father, who was a regional manager of record stores in the early 80s. Many of the things Mac says are things my dad used to say to me all the time. The album he gives Elle, The Point!, is one of our favorites. I actually wrote myself into this book because of Mac — in a later scene, he has his daughter with him in the shop because his wife “works nights at the hospital.” My mom was a nurse. The baby is me. And, yes, it was super meta to compose that scene!
It was tough revising this book to be 3rd POV, but there are 2 standalone sequels to TNSNG that I drafted in 3rd. Because I wanted them to be Anti-Belle adjacent, I decided to switch to 3rd for these. But overall, this was not a hard book to edit. I added some elements to round out the plot thanks to feedback from beta readers, but the story is very close to it’s original form. (Not so for some of my books!)
JL: Give us the lowdown on your main characters, Eleanor and Sam. They have such a random yet compelling start. Why will readers fall in love with them?
SKYE: They’re both finding themselves and rejecting notions of what they should be. That’s the heart and soul of their “deal.”
Sam is accepting that he’s a “doofus” because he doesn’t fit the (toxic) male stereotypes. Elle, bless her. Elle is running from her past. From the expectations that came with being a “nice girl” — and the trauma she experienced as a result.
Readers will love them because they are complicated, learning, and human. They are both finding their way in the world and learning to embrace what they want — and what they deserve (love!).
Speaking of characters, the other character based on my family is Nana. While my own Mimi didn’t quite have the clairvoyance of Nana, she was extremely insightful. The line where she says she “had a feeling” Sam would see Elle happened to my mom when she and Dad were broken up.
JL: It’s funny how things like that show up in fiction and you think it’s just a piece of story, but they very much happen in real life too. On that note, let’s get real. From one geriatric millennial to another, I’m almost insulted that the 80s is now considered retro, but here we are. Why did you pick 1986 specifically?
SKYE: Hahahaaaa, well, we can cling to the fact that it’s not technically historical fiction -- yet!
Setting The Not So Nice Girl in 1986 is a math flub by this point. I started writing Not Suitable for Work in 2014. At that point, it made sense that Celeste’s parents would’ve been falling in love in the mid 80s. Now, almost 10 years after that first draft, there is an obvious error to that timeline. However, contemporary Anti-Belles are not set in specified years, and I really wanted to do an 80s book. So, I just went with it.
The 80s are having a real moment right now. But there’s not a lot of new fiction coming out set in that time. So releasing The Not So Nice Girl now has been awesome because I’ve been able to connect with fans of the rad decade and help them have fun reliving old vibes and memories.
Although this isn’t historical fiction, I definitely did a lot of research to make it faithful to the year. Films, music — I even researched the Saturday morning cartoon lineup for the summer of 86. I will say that I had fun with the lack of constant contact the era provided. Mixups and missed info were a lot more plausible when everyone wasn’t on a group chat. (No spoilers!)
JL: Though The Not So Nice Girl is your first traditionally published release, you’ve actually authored six other books, haven’t you?
SKYE: Right, well. Three of the books, the Unlikely Pairings series, I co-authored with Sarah Smith. I could do a whole separate interview on what it’s like to co-author, but I’ll just say that finding the rhythm of writing with a partner was a very interesting, and fun, journey.
The Anti-Belle series contains many more books, but yes, three are currently available. Again, a whole other topic could be what I have learned via publishing! But regarding content, some interesting things I learned to write the books, here are a few:
- how an album gets produced
- date rape drugs
- Krav Maga moves
- how to deliver a knockout punch
- coding languages and web designer jobs
- best places to go on a date in Nashville
I also learned about cars for many of the books (including The Not So Nice Girl). Many characters have a car that reflects their personality. (Many also have a go-to whiskey) It’s been fun choosing details like that!
Connecting with Small Town Girl Publishing was pure luck — and friendship. (Namely, YOURS.) You found STG’s open call for 80s stories, I submitted, and voila. I’ve gone from indie to trad published.
JL: When you’re not writing romance novels, you’re coaching people in how to be unashamedly themselves. Is there any crossover between your writer self and your coach self?
SKYE: The Romance genre requires a Happily Ever After (Or happily for now) ending to class as romance. Happily ever after in real life is all about loving yourself. And, you see my characters go on that journey before their love story can be complete.
I coach people to find the intersection of health, self-love, and their busy lives. Fitness, habit change, nutrition, sleep, intimacy, and self-care are all parts of a holistic wellness practice. Whether a client is in a relationship or not, the priority is on remembering that they deserve to feel good, to make friends with their bodies, and to enjoy life!
That’s romance. Romance is feel good. It’s enjoyment. It’s fun.
JL: Now that this book is in the hands of your readers, what’s next for Skye McDonald?
SKYE: Well, I am in revision and editing for Anti-Belle Book 4, which will spin off into a side-project and book 5 very neatly. AND, the sequel to The Not So Nice girl will release in May of 2024! Small Town Girl Press will publish Brian’s story (title tbd), set in the early 90s!
Between all of that, you’ll find me at several events over the next year. I’ve got appearances in NYC, California, and of course Nashville!
JL: Finally, what’s the last book you read that took your breath away?
SKYE: Anything you write steals my breath, love. Just facts. Other recent(ish) gems: The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth and Dark Matter by Blake Crouch.
The Not So Nice Girl by Skye McDonald
A love story set in 1986
Friendship shouldn’t be this hot.
Eleanor Field wants nothing more than to spend a drama-free summer in Nashville, listening to rock n’ roll and baking pastries. But her plans are derailed when she walks into a local record shop and meets Sam Greene, a newly graduated, newly single guy who’s looking for a stress-free summer of his own. Despite their instant attraction, neither of them is looking for anything serious. But as they continue to spend time together, their friendship lays the groundwork for something deeper.
Set in the summer of 1986, The Not So Nice Girl is a heartwarming romance about two people who find love when they least expect it. Eleanor and Sam share a mutual love of music, a deep connection, and a group of friends who bring them even closer. But can they overcome their baggage and fears to take their relationship to the next level? Can Eleanor, a free spirit who’s always on the move, admit that she’s found a home in Sam? And can Sam, a sweet guy who’s too nice for his own good, be bold enough to say what he really wants?
With its 80s setting and rock n’ roll soundtrack, The Not So Nice Girl is a nostalgic and romantic read that will transport you to a time of mixtapes, pastries, and first love. Don’t miss out on this charming story of friendship, love, and the power of taking a chance.
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Historical Fiction
Length: 314 pages
Publication Date: 30 May 2023
Publisher: Small Town Girl Publishing
About the author
Skye McDonald is a wellness coach, blogger, and contemporary romance novelist. She believes in the power of falling in love with oneself as the real path to a happily ever after. Her books and coaching draw on her own life experiences. Her novels are sure to make you laugh, cry, and swoon.
Skye’s first novel, Not Suitable for Work, won the Linda Howard Award for Romance in 2019. Her co-authored Unlikely Pairings series (written with Sarah Smith) have been Amazon bestsellers and #1 New Releases. Skye shares her thoughts on living life with an open heart in her "A Bit Much" Substack.
Born in Nashville, Tennessee, Skye now lives and works in Montclair, New Jersey. In her free time, she hikes with her dogs, runs Spartan races, travels, Scuba dives, and is learning to ski. Someday she’ll chill out, preferably on a beach. But not yet. There’s so much life to live first.