Behind The Book With Tara Hodgson 

Mickey Mikkelson has reunited me with Tara Hodgson for this Behind The Book discussing her new mystery thriller for adults At Least I’m Trying. I’m so excited whenever I’m reunited with people again! 

Q: Tara welcome back to Book Notions! Would you please give a brief description of At Least I’m Trying and discuss where the idea came from? 

A: Thank you so much for having me again! I am so excited for the release of At Least I’m Trying. I’m describing it as “Snap Chat gone wrong.” A high school girl, Reese, a perfectionist who has her future at her fingertips, experiences a sequence of failures that lead her to seek a new path. She makes new friends and connects with Liam, a guy from Snap Chat. Her life takes a dangerous turn and she ends up in a strange city, with strange people, and no way to get out. 

This book is inspired by events I’ve seen in the media regarding technology and how it’s being used as a method for predators to gain access to kids while parents seemingly think they’re safe in their rooms. It’s a warning for the potential implications of social media.

Q: How long did it take you to write At Least I’m Trying? 

A: It took me about a year from initially writing to having the full manuscript complete and edited. I didn’t know how this one ended like I did with my first, so it took me a while to get to the point where the end of Reese’s story became clear. 

Q: What were your favorite scenes you wrote in the novel and what lessons and emotions do you hope readers come away with after they finish reading your novel? 

A: I love writing emotionally charged scenes. There are a couple of very intense moments for Reese, and I enjoyed playing around with the best way to have the reader experience those emotions alongside her. In this 

case, I hope readers remember to listen to their gut feelings because usually they’re communicating something. Reese ignores her instincts and finds herself in a horrific situation that she struggles to get out of. I also hope readers take away the message that, in a world obsessed with technology and social media, we can’t lose sight of the potential dangers that come along with it.

Q: If there were ever a sequel to At Least I’m Trying what would everyone be up to right now? 

A: I’m going to focus on Reese, specifically, because I don’t want to spoil anything by talking about anyone else. 

I hope Reese is finding the strength to move on from the terrible events that likely still haunt her. I hope she’s at university, playing on the volleyball team, relearning what she loves and what she nearly threw away. I hope she’s close with her sister, Lizzy, and that she and her best friend, Willow, stay in touch even though she’s gone away for college. In the sequel, there would likely be some court proceedings that Reese would have to be part of and I’d hope to see her gain some closure and some answers through these. She’d have to relive some traumas though, so it would be a challenge for her to navigate.