Cara Tanamachi

Cara Tanamachi lives near Chicago with her husband and five children (two by biology and three by marriage), and their 85-pound Goldendoodle, Theodore. Raised near Dallas, Texas by her Japanese-American dad and her English-Scottish American mom, she was the oldest of two children (the debate still rages whether she or her brother are currently the family favorite).

The University of Pennsylvania (Go Quakers!) grad worked as a newspaper reporter, and then published many novels under the name, Cara Lockwood. A former single mom, she spent eight years dating (hilariously and awkwardly) before finding the love of her life on Bumble (yes, Bumble!). She believes we all could use a little more happily ever after.

Tanamachi's new novel is The Takeover.

My Q&A with the author:

How much work does your title do to take readers into the story?

My working title for this book was actually Hate Mate, but my editor at MacMillan thought this might be too close to The Hating Game, and she pitched The Takeover, which I think works very well. My book is a fun rivals-to-lovers romance about two former high school rivals that meet up again in their adult lives. The last time they competed it was for valedictorian, but now it’s all about the future of the company Toggle, which Jae is trying to take over.

What's in a name?

Nami is a character from my other book, The Second You’re Single, and her name means “wave” in Japanese, which I felt suited her perfectly. She’s a perfectionist, but also once she gets her mind set on something, she’s relentless. Just like an ocean wave. There’s no real stopping its momentum once it’s in motion. Jae means “wealth” and “talent” in Korean, which I felt was perfect for him. He’s cocky and self-assured, and he does have both wealth and talent, but he also has to learn a little humility.

How surprised would your teenage reader self be by your novel?

My teenage self would be so glad I’m published! I devoured all the books in my school library, and I’ve always wanted to be a novelist, and I had so many naysayers when I was younger, people who tried to make me believe that getting a book deal from a traditional publisher was a dream I’d never achieve. But I’m a little like Nami. If you tell me no, I’ll just keep trying to find other paths to yes.

Do you find it harder to write beginnings or endings? Which do you change more?

I think beginnings are the hardest. I find often that when I sit down to write a book, I’ll realize at chapter four or five that I started in the wrong place. After I’m into the book, I might decide that I need to rewrite that first chapter.

Do you see much of yourself in your characters? Do they have any connection to your personality, or are they a world apart?

There’s a little bit of myself in every character I write! They may not be carbon copies of me, but there are traits or tendencies from me in all of them. It helps me understand them better and (I hope!) make them more realistic.

What non-literary inspirations have influenced your writing?

Everything! The news, family, friends, movies. Love is all around us (to quote Love, Actually) and there are so many amazing love stories in the real world. I draw inspiration from them all the time. My favorite question to ask a couple is “how did you meet?” I love these stories!

Visit Cara Tanamachi's website.

--Marshal Zeringue