Mary Pascual joins us this week to discuss her YA fantasy, The Byways

Welcome, Mary! How would you describe The Byways? 

It’s an urban Wonderland with magic and sensory issues. Neurodivergent CeeCee doesn’t want to be defined by her reputation or her temper, but when she’s magically pulled into the hidden society of the Byways, where monsters and forgotten people rule, she must question everything she knows about belonging in order to find an escape, or risk being trapped for good.

What sparked the idea for this book?

I was inspired by Alice in Wonderland and the neurodiverse journey I was taking with my son. My son was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder (SPD) around three years old, and later he was also diagnosed with ADHD. (It runs through our family.) As we were starting his therapies and navigating the school system, I was also rereading lots of classic children’s books so we could read together. When I reread Alice in Wonderland, I instantly recognized Alice. I thought to myself, “This child has hyperactivity and impulse issues.” That’s when the idea for The Byways started and more ideas kept unfolding and developing as my son went through school and I saw other children go through their own experiences. Eventually, I knew I wanted to highlight a girl’s story, particularly the reputations that attach themselves to girls who “act up”. Rewriting Alice as neurodiverse and using a reframed Wonderland as a jumping off point let me explore those societal expectations and their effects.

How long did it take for you to write the book? Did you do any research?

It took me two and half years to write and polish The Byways, that’s with beta readers and feedback incorporated in. I went through four versions before I thought it was ready. I queried it for a couple of years, then I took a pause and did another pass on it. I think taking a break from staring at it, really let me go back and refine where it was needed.

For research, I did a lot of deep reading of the original Lewis Carrol material. I studied the symbolism and patterns Carrol used. There were details in the Alice books that I had forgotten, or aspects that never made it into the Disney version of the story, so that was interesting. But I also did a lot of miscellaneous research on the fly while I was writing, such as looking up architectural terms or hobo markings. I do a lot of visual research when I’m writing as well, both for inspiration and accuracy. I found or took pictures of alleys and kept them in a file. I needed to look up waterworks buildings and warehouse structures; lots of buildings. But roaming around the internet that way also gives birth to other ideas. I stumbled across African underground forests online and a version of that type of plant made its way into the book.  

What drew you to young adult fiction?

Well, I love reading YA myself so it was a natural fit. I also remember that time in my life very clearly, so I feel like I can step back into those feelings and experiences. There’s so much going on in that period of a person’s life—lots of changes, lots of restrictions, but also everything is new, so growth and mistakes are made—that works really well for stories. There’s nothing like the feeling that the world is opening up in front of you, and there’s nothing like rooting for someone on the edge of gaining or losing everything, especially just at the beginning of adulthood.

What’s your favorite part about writing/being an author? What do you find challenging?

My favorite part of writing is the pure imagination part in the beginning of a project, when you’re just playing with ideas. There’s no pressure at that point, to make everything work. It’s pure make-believe and play. Like, “Ooh, what if there was a girl who could levitate objects with her singing…” and then just playing out all the “what-if’s” and “what could she do with that?” It’s a very energizing part of the process for me. The effort comes in when you have to get all the ideas down and make it into a cohesive arc with all the proper working elements of a story.

The part I find most challenging is twofold: uninterrupted time and energy. It’s hard to find time where I’m not disturbed while I’m writing. I’m a mom and there’s always lots of family things pulling my attention. Writing often takes a lot of deep, uninterrupted thought, and that can be hard when the people around you need help getting their own stuff done or can’t find their socks or whatever. Then by the time I get a block of time that’s open, where no one needs anything and all the household tasks are finished, it’s awfully tempting to just collapse in a heap in front of the TV. I know lots of writers recommend getting up extra early before everyone else is awake, but mornings and I don’t get along so well!   

Any words of wisdom you give your pre-published writer self (or to a new writer)?

I would tell myself to keep going, and that publishing is a really long journey. Longer than you expect, so don’t be hard on yourself if it doesn’t happen right away or unfold the way you expect. To a new writer, I’d say the same, but if you get the chance… start earlier than I did! I took some long breaks away from creative writing that I wish I hadn’t. However, I would also tell a new writer to remember that every piece of writing will help you build toward your writing dreams. Even if it seems like it’s writing that’s unrelated to the type of writing you want to do (for example, I was a marketing writer for a long time), those projects will still help you build skills that will benefit you in the long run.

What are your interests outside of writing and reading?

I like art and making craft projects; anything 3-D I can do with my hands are my favorites. The last couple of years, I’ve been stepping out of my comfort zone and trying to work on 2-D drawing and painting skills, so that’s a work in progress. I love music, especially Alt-Rock, Punk, Folk and Blues, and love to go to concerts when I can. I enjoy gardening and being outside, getting my hands dirty and just communing with nature. I find it very soothing to my soul. I also really love cookies, and related baking. Although, cookies are probably less of an interest and more an obsession.

Are you working on a new project? Please tell us about it.

I’ve just wrapped up a book and that will be coming out in May 2024, called Walk the Web Lightly. It’s a coming-of-age contemporary fantasy about fourteen-year-old Naya and her artist family who can secretly see time. I’m really excited about it! And I’m going to be working on a new novel this summer.  

Where can readers find you?

My website is marypascual.com. There you can find all my social media links and events!  

Thank you, Mary! The Byways is OUT NOW.

The Byways