The Way Back
Philadelphia, PA
"When you know, you know!" is how Piper had rationalized her rushed engagement when she broke the news over the phone. Now, only a few months later, Jane is packing her bags and heading west to participate in festivities leading up to her cousin's wedding.
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Radio Park, OR
It's not that Ansel doesn't approve of his daughter's fiance; it's just that Piper and Max have been dating for less than a year. The decision to marry seems rushed. These worries would typically prove a distraction to Ansel, but he's been a bit preoccupied by the compass tattooed on his right wrist. The needle, impossibly, continues to spin.
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Moonglow, NC
Jonny has the ring and the girl, but no matter how hard he tries, he can't seem to form the words "Will you marry me?" The reason for this, he realizes, is because he's unable to forget the woman he met all those years ago while passing through Denver. The problem? With the exception of knowing her hometown (Radio Park) and her first name (Piper), he has very little to go on. Nevertheless, these trivial details are enough to persuade Jonny to purchase a plane ticket and head west.
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Will Jonny and Piper's paths intersect... and if so, what direction will they take?
The Story Behind the Story
The Way Back is essentially my way back to writing.
I took a long break. After releasing Just Whistle in 2015, I went back and rewrote Kick It One More Time for probably the millionth time. And then I didn't feel like editing it... so I didn't edit it.
Years passed and I made a lot of art. I did a couple art shows. I got more and more into the cut- and torn-paper mosaics that I do. And then one day I thought, "I miss writing." So I started up again.
I created something that I really felt strongly about getting published. I queried it to at least 300 agents and got probably 200 rejections. As I was collecting rejections, I wrote another two books: a sequel to Kick It and another book that comes after the sequel. I've got so many manuscripts stockpiled at this point that even if I were to get writer's block, I'd be okay for a couple years.
While talking to a friend about yet another rejection letter I'd received that morning, he asked me an interesting question. He said, "Why do you need an agent or a book deal, Hannah? Isn't the point to have people read your stuff?"
That's when I changed my mindset. Rather than asking agents if they'd like to read my stuff and have the majority of them decline the offer, I decided to write another book and gear it towards being released as a serial novel. I'd slowly gain a following and eventually (hopefully) folks from all over would be visiting my website to read my blog and visiting Amazon to order my books.
And that's how The Way Back came to fruition. It's my way back to doing what I love.
I hope you enjoy it!
Book Discussion
Questions
Consider the way Jonny handles his relationship with Alex. Do you feel he was right to keep her in the dark, or should he have been up front about his actions?
There are so many instances in which Jonny ALMOST connects with someone who’s directly connected to Piper. How many can you come up with?
Who’s your favorite character in the novel and why?
Ansel’s tattoo isn’t a major plot point, but it does dictate some of the things that occur in the novel. Is its role important or do you think the magical element could have been left out?
How does a lack of Piper’s perspective alter the flow of the story? Do you think the book would have been better if Piper had had her own chapters?
What’s your favorite scene in the novel and why?
Of all the eateries mentioned in the novel, which one would you most like to visit?
If there was going to be a future novel that ties in with this one, who would you hope to revisit and what would you hope to find out?
Consider the minor characters throughout the novel. Which ones were your favorites? How do you think they improved (or detracted from) the plot?
The Way Back Playlist
"By and By" - Caamp
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"Strange American Dream" - Rayland Baxter
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"Going, Going, Oregon" - The Fat Handsome
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"(If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To" - Weezer
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"First in Flight" - Don McCloskey
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"The Bagend March" - Bella's Bartok
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"Alone" - Trampled By Turtles
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"Where We Are" - The Lumineers
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"Twisted Fate" - The Suitcase Junket
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"Farmhouse" - Phish
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"8 Dogs 8 Banjos" - Old Crow Medicine Show
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"Way Back" - Reel Big Fish
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"Just Wonderin'" - Caamp