Interview with Author Jennifer Farwell, Author of On the Way Down

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write On the Way Down?

There’s a Wilson Mizner quote: “Be nice to people on the way up, because you’ll meet the same people on the way down.” This quote inspired the premise for On the Way Down and also its title. Much of the rest came in a rush of ideas that I wrote down and set aside for a month while the story took shape in my mind.

The concept of two people drifting apart and reconnecting years later—after success, failure, life-altering events, and growth—was something I wanted to explore as a second-chance romance. I was also inspired by real-life reflection on how you can know someone during one part of your life, then reconnect later and discover they’re someone you hardly recognize. You have to learn who they are all over again.

Phoenix destroying his relationship with Del while rising to fame, then battling his demons in the spotlight and sabotaging his career before crossing paths with her again, follows the idea of the Mizner quote. Del experiences the flip side of this, since she’s now at the height of her career and thought she’d moved on from Phoenix. She soon realizes her old feelings and unanswered questions are still there—but she may not know who Phoenix has become.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of On the Way Down, what would they be?

I have an entire playlist for my characters and the book, so this is a fun question! For Del, the song is “Justified” by Kacey Musgraves. The chorus mirrors her emotions as she reconnects with Phoenix, reflects on their past, and learns to trust him—and her own heart—again. Without giving too much away, there’s a subtle change in wording during the third chorus that captures a shift in how she feels later in the story.

For Phoenix, the song is “Feel” by Robbie Williams. When the story begins, Phoenix has lived through the highs and lows of fame, lost himself, and found his way back. Now, he’s determined to redeem himself and earn Del’s love and trust once more. The lyrics and mood of “Feel” perfectly capture the journey he’s taken—and the future he hopes to build.

If you’d like to listen to the full playlist, search for “On the Way Down – The Playlist” on Spotify, or visit: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6bipGkPT4daqC3ztNLu2Od

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I’m all over the place when it comes to what I read. If a book’s description and first chapter grab my attention, I’m in—no matter the genre. Thriller, mystery, romance, true crime, women’s fiction, historical fiction—I enjoy them all. I take a similar approach to my writing, experimenting across genres, though all of my books so far fall under the romance umbrella. Some are adult contemporary, some are young adult, some explore the world of celebrity, and others carry a touch of suspense.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

• The Deadly Book Club by Lyn Liao Butler
• Gone Before Goodbye by Harlan Coben and Reese Witherspoon
• Name Your Price by Holly James
• Dream On by Jennifer Hartmann

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Without giving anything away, my favorite scene to write was when Ava—Del’s best friend—grills her about the day she spent with Phoenix. Ava might be a supporting character, but nothing gets past her, and she was an absolute joy to write.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

The first thing I do when I write is put my phone on silent and stuff it under a pillow. It stays there until I need a break, or sometimes for the whole day. I also listen to the same two or three songs on repeat for days or weeks on end, with the songs being ones that pull me into a particular headspace for the scenes I’m working on. Daily long walks are a big part of my writing process as well, since I use that time to mentally work through scenes.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

What I live by is more of a behavior, and that’s being intentional with my energy and focus and where these are invested. It’s something I remind myself to do daily, because we live in a time with endless sources of distraction and nonstop competition for our attention. Taylor Swift said it well on the New Heights podcast earlier this year: “What you spend your energy on—that’s the day.”

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Whether romantic or a close friendship, relationships require honesty and accountability—not only with the other person, but with ourselves.

Jennifer Farwell is the author of the new book On the Way Down

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