Authors Interiewing Characters: Andrea J. Stein

December 7, 2022 | By Women Writers Women Books | Reply More

What would you do if your ex brought your break-up to the big screen? That’s the question Callie Dressler, the main character of women’s fiction debut novel TYPECAST, has to ask herself.

Callie Dressler thought she’d put her past where it belonged—behind her. But when her ex-boyfriend brings their breakup to the big screen, she can no longer deny that their history has been looming over her all along.

At thirty-one, Callie Dressler is finally comfortable in her own skin. She loves her job as a preschool teacher, and although living in her vacant childhood home isn’t necessarily what dreams are made of, the space is something she never could have afforded if she’d stayed in New York City. She knows her well-ordered life will be upended when her type A, pregnant sister, Nina; adorable four-year-old niece; and workaholic brother-in-law move in, but how could she say no when they needed a place to crash during their remodel? As Nina pointed out, it’s still their parents’ house, even if their mom and dad have relocated.

As if adjusting to this new living situation isn’t enough, the universe sends Callie another wrinkle: her college boyfriend—who Callie dumped ten years earlier for reasons known only to her—has a film coming out, and the screenplay is based on their real-life breakup. While the movie consumes her thoughts, Callie can’t help wondering if Nina and her friends are right that she hasn’t moved on. When a complication with Nina’s pregnancy brings Callie in close contact with Nina’s smart and funny architect, Callie realizes she’d better figure out whether she wants to open the door to the past—or risk missing out on her future.

Andrea J. Stein, author of Typecast, caught up with Callie over a cup of tea at Sip – the one and only café in Callie’s hometown of Brook Hill, New Jersey – a few days after news of Ethan’s screenplay appeared in their college alumni magazine.

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AJS: Are you sure you don’t want something to eat?

Callie: I’m good. The pastries here are…shall we say…disappointing?

AJS: That’s a shame. The cookies don’t look bad.

Callie: (wrinkles her nose) Way too dry.

AJS: Do you bake?

Callie (laughs): Hardly. But I know what I like!

AJS: So – I gather you got some surprising news recently.

Callie: You could say that. It’s pretty crazy, really. This new movie that’s coming out – you might have heard of it, it’s called Rerouting – was written by my college boyfriend, Ethan. And it looks like it might have been inspired by yours truly.

AJS: Wow. That is pretty crazy. How do you feel about that?

Callie: (exhales deeply) Good question. I don’t know what to make of it. Things between us didn’t end well. (glances away, lost in thought). To be blunt, I broke up with him over the phone right before I was supposed to move out to California with him. We haven’t spoken since. (pauses) I suppose maybe I should be happy it’s not a horror film.

AJS: (laughs) I guess that’s one way to look at it.

Callie: (sighs) The truth is – even though I’ve moved on and my life is pretty good – I’ve often wondered if I made a mistake back then. And having this movie out there – it brings it all front and center.

AJS: Are you going to reach out to him?

Callie: Honestly, I have no idea. My sister Nina – she just moved in with me, by the way, while her house is being renovated – she thinks I should let it go. That I’ve been hung up on him all these years and it’s keeping me from moving on.

AJS: Do you think she’s right?

Callie: No. She just likes to think she knows best. Although…

AJS: Although?

Callie: I don’t know. I’m happy with my life. But it’s true I haven’t been serious about anyone since Ethan. I’ve always said it’s because I just haven’t met the right person – but maybe there’s more to it than that.

AJS: Well, you’d definitely not be the first person to say it’s tough to meet people.

Callie: My friend Tess – she teaches with me at the preschool – finally convinced me to try online dating.

AJS: How’s that going?

Callie: (rolls her eyes) I went apple picking with a guy that made my skin crawl. He had a gift for complaining about everything. The truth is, my plate is pretty full right now with work, and having Nina and her husband and my niece living with me – the online dating thing just feels like another task on my list. Not that Tess is about to let me give it up!

AJS: What does she think about the movie?

Callie: (laughs) She’s pretty pissed. She can’t believe he’d make our story public without so much as sending me an email first.

AJS: Maybe she’s got a point.

Callie: Maybe. But she doesn’t know the whole story.

Buy Typecast at: https://www.amazon.com/Typecast-Novel-Andrea-J-Stein/dp/195485465X/

Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60649794-typecast

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Andrea J. Stein is a lifetime lover of books. Born in Brooklyn, she was raised in New Jersey before attending a small, quirky liberal arts college and a large, preppy university, both in New York State. A book publicist by profession, she lives with her husband and sons in suburban New Jersey. She spends an inordinate amount of time taking pretty photos of books. Things that make her happy include strong tea, turtles, sunshine, sheep, and the ocean. Typecast is her first novel. For more information, go to andreajstein.com.