Today we are very excited to share an interview with Author Chris Halvorson (Kaitlyn’s Wheel)!
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Meet the Author: Christ Halvorson
Chris Halvorson grew up in the Pacific Northwest. In fifth grade, he skipped a day of school to attend the Seattle Sonics championship parade. After dreaming of playing in the NBA himself, he soon realized he was too short and slow, so he followed his passion for books to become an author. He majored in Professional Writing at the University of North Alabama and received an MFA in Film Writing at Columbia University in the City of New York. He currently lives in Los Angeles, where he’s adapting Kaitlyn’s Wheel for a television series.
About the Book: Kaitlyn’s Wheel
In rural Iowa, Kaitlyn Stokes (18) witnesses a UFO over her house the night her father dies of cancer, giving her reason to believe the aliens took him away―as with Ezekiel’s Wheel in the Old Testament. She secretly hopes he might someday return as an “Ancient Astronaut,” a theory based on modern science.
In the Pacific Northwest, Zachary Taylor (18) reports to his high school principal that he was abducted by aliens, his impromptu excuse for skipping classes the day before. When the school secretary overhears him, she tells her teenage daughter and the story goes viral on social media, leading to a frenzy of TV news reporters outside his house.
Seeking answers, Kaitlyn connects with Zachary and they fall in love during their senior year. With graduation just months away, they could soon overcome the distance between them―or so they plan until Kaitlyn discovers their relationship was built on a prankish hoax.
Brokenhearted, she gets a mysterious signal over her satellite dish. If only her father could make contact, he would let her know that she and Zachary were brought together for reasons impacting the future of our planet. But the message may arrive too late … as Zachary hurtles toward a lethal force of nature.
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~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
One night, several years ago, I witnessed two glowing orange triangular shapes flying over the Pacific Ocean from my vantage point in Palisades Park (West Los Angeles). I stopped to watch, along with a female jogger whom I had never met – just the two of us there. We said very little, except something along the lines of “What is that?” After a minute or so, the two parallel crafts went flying off at incredible speed toward Malibu and quickly vanished. Without another word, the female jogger and I proceeded to head off in opposite directions. I think she was just as numbed by the experience as I was.
The day after, I learned that several people in the Palm Springs area had reported seeing military crafts being tested over the desert (about 100 miles away). Regardless, I thought that witnessing a UFO would have been a unique way to romantically connect with someone. I also thought it would make an interesting premise for a novel, but I didn’t have any material for what happens after the two people share the experience. Several years later, the story popped into my head while I was doing dishes in the sink.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
Kaitlyn, the title character. I never had kids, but if I had a daughter, I would hope for her to share many of Kaitlyn’s qualities.
YABC: Which came first, the title or the novel?
The novel for sure. My working title was originally Kaitlyn’s Lights, and for months I was grappling to find the right title. It wasn’t until after I had a publisher (Bancroft Press) that I finally came up with Kaitlyn’s Wheel. Thankfully, my publisher agreed with the change.
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
When Kaitlyn goes to visit her father’s grave and she runs into the pastor of her church. He’s the last person she wants to see because she hasn’t been to church in ages and has lost a lot of faith. To her own surprise, the pastor gives her some much-needed fatherly advice. I’m proud of that scene because it conveys a lot of emotion and uses the Midwest autumn season to establish the tone.
YABC: What’s a book you’ve recently read and loved?
Velvet was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
YABC: What is the main message or lesson you would like your reader to remember from this book?
We must work together to save our planet, so that future generations have a chance for a better world. What the planet needs more than anything is love.
YABC: What advice do you have for new writers?
There’s an adage that all great writers are great readers. It’s so true. Also, I would start with writing short stories instead of diving into a novel as your first work. Writing workshops can also be beneficial, but they can also be very discouraging. Much depends there on having classmates and instructors who give constructive criticism and encouragement rather than simply tearing your work apart (often through jealousy). If you have the passion to write, you will find your path.
YABC: Is there anything that you would like to add?
Writing younger characters was a “return to innocence” so to speak because it put me back in touch with my teenage self. I know technology has changed, and people have become less connected. The story is essentially about two people desperately seeking connection, and I hope to connect with my readers in telling it.
Title: Kaitlyn’s Wheel
Author: Chris Halvorson
Release Date: April 4, 2023
Publisher: Bancroft Press
ISBN-10: 161088552X
ISBN-13: 978-1610885522
Genre: YA Teen Romance
Age Range: 14 and up
