Chatham Greenfield's own disability makes them feel like they're stuck in a time loop, so they wanted to write a story about a character going through something similar, but having someone by their side who understands them.
What was your inspiration behind “Time and Time Again?”
I was inspired to write "Time and Time Again" by my realization that being disabled is kind of like being stuck in a time loop — going to doctor’s appointments, being stuck in bed, going to more doctor’s appointments, over and over again. I thought it would be interesting to play on that by writing about a chronically ill girl stuck in an actual time loop. Since being disabled is so often an isolating experience, I wanted her to be stuck alongside someone who’s also disabled and inherently understands her. And being a lover of romance, I of course had to make that person her childhood crush!
What does Reading Rainbow mean to you?
To me, Reading Rainbow means getting to explore authentic stories about the LGBTQ community, whether they’re reflecting our hardships, our joys, or a mix of both.
Why do you feel representation of a variety of people is so important when it comes to writing books?
The LGBTQ community is so diverse. Even though we all have a commonality in queerness, our experiences can vary if we have other marginalized identities. It was important to me to write my lesbian main character’s experiences through the lens of being fat, Jewish, and mentally/chronically ill, because that’s the lens through which I personally see the world and my gay identity. "Time and Time Again" has a diverse queer cast because I wanted to accurately reflect the world and people around me.
Tell us a little more about the book and why you decided to write it.
"Time and Time Again" is about Phoebe, whose debilitating IBS lands her in a Groundhog Day-esque time loop. As someone who has IBS, I’ve always wanted to represent it in a book, as it’s a chronic illness that people often don’t take seriously. When I mention my IBS, it’s written off as a joke or as something “gross” that shouldn’t be talked about. So I wanted to really delve into IBS to show people just how intense that pain can be for some of us (it’s a spectrum) and how hurtful it is when that pain isn’t taken seriously.
What can fans expect from your book?
Fans can expect a book that’s summery, sappy, and very, very gay!
What's up next for you in the bookish world?
I’m currently working on my second book, a standalone YA romance coming out with Bloomsbury in 2025. It’s an enemies-to-lovers cozy romance featuring a butch/femme lesbian pairing. I’m having a great time revising it, and I can’t wait to share more details soon!
