Authors Interviewing Characters: Heather Cumiskey interviews Brynn Gallardo from The Sooner I Go

Authors Interviewing Characters: Heather Cumiskey interviews Brynn Gallardo from The Sooner I Go.

THE SOONER I GO

Perfect for fans of Colleen Hoover and Paige Toon, this suspenseful new adult romance follows an eighteen-year-old woman reeling from loss as she’s drawn into an unexpected attraction—one that might expose the secrets she’s tried to bury.

Seven months after her boyfriend and parents die tragically on the same night, eighteen-year-old Brynn—once an aspiring singer, now desperate for any paying gig that will keep her from ending up on the streets—sets out to rebuild her shattered world. At her new ad agency job, she’s distracted by enigmatic twenty-year-old Micah. Their enemies-to-lovers attraction ignites as both struggle with secrets that could jeopardize far more than just their budding relationship.

After things turn romantic with Brynn, Micah’s psychosis becomes harder to conceal. Living with his disorder has cost him relationships before, including with his estranged father; now he fears Brynn will become the next casualty.

Things are already complicated enough before a mystery girl from Brynn’s boyfriend’s past comes forward with threatening information and unfinished business of her own. Will she reveal Brynn’s secret—and steal Micah away from her in the process?

Authors Interviewing Characters: Heather Cumiskey interviews Brynn Gallardo from The Sooner I Go

Sitting across from me today is Brynn Gallardo, a senior at LaGuardia High School in New York City. For our listeners who may not be aware, it’s an iconic high school for the arts with famous alumni that include Jennifer Aniston, Nicki Minaj, Awkwafina, and Timothée Chalamet, to name a few. 

Brynn is also the daughter of Katia and Basilio Gallardo, celebrated musicians and former owners of the Flaming Flamingo in the East Village—once considered to be the birthplace of Punk and New Wave music. It’s also where many young musicians found their start before achieving fame.

Welcome, Brynn. I know this time of year for graduating seniors can be rather hectic. We appreciate you agreeing to our interview. We hope this will give prospective students a glimpse into the audition process and what it’s like to attend a performing arts high school.

Brynn: Um, where will this podcast be streamed? I want to mention that I’m about to go on tour with the band: CB Drunken Waters. Have you heard of them?

[Shakes head] I have not.

Brynn: Oh, soon you will! We’re playing this Saturday at Pete’s Saloon in Westchester . . . Elmsford, I think. My boyfriend’s hometown. He’s incredibly excited to perform in front of all his friends. He invited everyone he knows to the showcase. Other bands will be there . . . we’re basically the headliner. [she clears her throat]

Your boyfriend, is he the guy you came in with? You two look cozy. I notice he won’t let you out of his sight—even now.

Brynn: [laughs nodding] Um, yeah, he’s pretty intense . . . but in a good way. [she sits on her hands, her eyes dart to either side of her]. Cody transferred to LaGuardia sophomore year—same studio as me. We’re both singer-songwriters. We didn’t hit it off right away, but then things moved pretty quickly. We started combining our sounds and knew we had something special. His voice is incredible.

I believe you’re blushing.

Brynn: [Smiling] I’ve never met anyone who makes me feel so alive and filled with purpose. What we have is so unique, especially when we harmonize and write together.

Tell me more about that. What inspires you when you’re writing songs? And how can you work on this outside career while managing your demanding artistic schedule and core subjects at school?

Brynn: Oh, I can’t. It’s why I’m dropping out. This week actually. 

Oh?

Brynn: Yeah, Shane Boose, you probably know him as “Sombr.” He dropped out of LaGuardia his junior year after he released his first single. And look at him now. Why can’t that be us?

[clears her throat] Those two girls keep looking over here, they must be friends of yours?

Brynn: [whips her head in their direction] Oh. Um, ignore them. They’re just being nosy, eavesdropping on my life because theirs is so dull. 

They’re seniors as well?

Brynn: Yeah, Tess, the skinny taller girl, auditioned the same day. We were in 8th grade. I went out for vocal music, she wanted drama. We both got accepted without callbacks. 

Impressive! One audition and the school accepted you both immediately. They call that top tier, right?

Brynn. I think. But we’re not friends anymore. Um. I mean. The three of us used to be besties, including the other girl with her. I met Cody and things changed. I grew up and set my sights on a real career. 

What was it like having famous parents and growing up surrounded by their talented friends?

Brynn: Truth is, my parents aren’t around much these days. Too busy after losing their precious club. Besides, I’m older now and can take care of myself. They don’t seem to care what I do.

So, senior year. You must be busy working on your college applications?

Brynn: Well, no, actually. I just decided . . . we just told my parents that I’m putting off college. They don’t think I can make it as a singer I guess, but I’d like to at least try. Make something of myself, you know? And do it on my own without their constant criticism in my ear.

I see. What have you loved about attending LaGuardia?

Brynn: Not the long hours, that’s for sure. Our school days are longer because we have to fit in our performing arts classes with our academic ones. Um. I guess it’s meeting Cody. Before that, I would have said all the performing I got to do even as a freshman, gave me such a high being onstage. No more school solos for me.

Why is that?

Brynn: [she smiles] Cody and I rather perform our own stuff.

What’s been your biggest challenge this year?

Brynn: [she lets out a long sigh, breaking eye contact] My parents putting our apartment in Bushwick up for sale. Never asked me. Just went and did it.

Sounds like they’re counting the days until they’re empty nesters?

Brynn: More like they need the cash.

Hm. [eyes snap wide] Rehab? 

Brynn: Nothing like that. Their club got some bad press. When things turned bad, they let it suck our family dry trying to save it. [she slaps her thighs and straightens her back] Um, are we done here?

One last question.

Brynn: Shoot.

You sound very independent and not someone interested in riding her parents’ coattails which I find admirable. But wouldn’t it be easier to use your parents’ connections to break into the music industry?

Brynn: I don’t want their help. I’m tired of being invisible. These past three years, it didn’t matter how hard I worked at LaGuardia. Coming offstage after a school performance, no one ever paid attention to me, too busy fangirling all over them. I need something I can do on my own—with no distractions—and I intend to get it. 

PREORDER HERE

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Heather Cumiskey is the award-winning author of the popular YA crossover titles I Like You Like This and I Love You Like That. She writes about messy characters and social issues in the hopes that her books will spark compassion and conversation. Raised in Garden City, New York, she was working in fashion in New York City when she rediscovered her first love of writing. Heather now lives outside of Baltimore, Maryland, with her family and a spunky cockapoo named Waffles.

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Interviews, On Writing