Thank you for joining us here at YALC. We would love you to introduce yourself?
Thank you for taking this time with me! I’m A.M. Ellis, an author based in the suburbs between Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC. I’m a full-time designer, wife, mom, and gamer (when I’m not reading).
Can you give our readers an overview of your YA novel I Feel Your Pain?
I Feel Your Pain is a dystopian romance that challenges stereotypes around pain tolerances in marginalized communities through the eyes of our FMC, Nova – a Black girl from humble beginnings down the bay, and MMC Castor, billionaire heir from uptown. Their paths were never meant to cross, but when they do, their love story uncovers corruption rooted in desperation to survive.
And, if you could do it in just 5 words or less, what would they be?
Your pain is society’s gain.
What drew you into the story for I Feel Your Pain?
I Feel Your Pain is an IP project with Jasmine Richards and Storymix, and from my first time meeting Jasmine I knew I had to work with her, it was only about finding the right pitch. The moment I read the hook for I Feel Your Pain I thought of my own experiences with stereotypes around pain tolerance in the Black community. It’s a wild feeling to be telling a medical professional how much something hurts only for them to look confused and say, ‘you shouldn’t feel that.’ I connected immediately with Nova, but also to Castor as he’s trying to forge his own path outside of his family legacy. The story felt meant for me.
You mentioned connecting with both Nova and Castor, who was your favorite to write?
I have the biggest soft spot for Nova so she’s my favorite, though Castor was actually easier to write. Some of Nova’s chapters had me in tears as I was trying to get her emotions out and onto the page. She represents so many girls I knew growing up, women I know now. In her romance with Castor, he just wants to give her the world – a soft life – and I want that for her too. In the story, Nova hates being called strong, so I won’t call her that here, but she is a force to be reckoned with, and a voice who can’t be, refuses to be denied.
With this being a dual POV, how does Castor’s point of view balance with Nova?
Castor is the definition of suave, sheltered privilege. He literally doesn’t know what he doesn’t know. Living on the wealthy side of town, under the glassways as the Alta Bay residents call it, closes him off to so many experiences outside of his own. He believes he knows what it’s like down the bay since he volunteers here and there at food pantries and soup kitchens when he’s not surfing. But there’s so much more to the South Alta neighborhood we see from Nova. Her presence in his life peels back the truths he’s not quite ready for and makes him question what is real. Having these two viewpoints in a dystopian allows readers to see just how easy it is for a society like this fictional one to exist. And maybe draw a few familiar parallels.
What was the hardest scene to write?
Nova’s pain transference and Castor’s last conversation in his POV. So many EMOTIONS!
Are there other characters you’d like to explore more?
I feel like Nova’s little sister, Skye, has a lot to say. She has sickle cell but doesn’t let it hold her back, is nosy as heck, and is ready to be the main character. But there’s also Jaiden and Pua, Castor’s best friends with potential to be more to each other. They would have a golden retriever/black cat dynamic and I love that trope.
Do you have a quick one sentence takeaway for readers?
Lies are contagious.
Where do you write?
Everywhere but my desk. I went so long without one to where I’m used to writing in the bed, on the couch, on my phone. My Notes app is full of complete chapter drafts. The important thing is that I’m writing. It doesn’t have to be a perfect setting.
What is your favourite genre to read?
It truly depends on the day you ask me. I’m deep into superhero comics at the moment, reading tons of X-Men. I love anything speculative, especially romance. Add a dash of adventure – immediate five star.
Where can our readers find you on social media?
I’m most active on Threads and Instagram @amonaiellis.
Finally can you give us your favourite quote from a novel (it can be yours!)?
Nova has a great line in chapter 29 I circle back to often:
“I was just me: a Black girl from South Alta, ready to become Dominion’s worst nightmare, my community’s impossible dream.”