| Justine Pucella Winans (they/she) is a queer and nonbinary writer who lives in Los Angeles with their husband and incredible Halloween-colored cats. Their books include YA mysteries like the critically acclaimed Indies Introduce title, Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything, and One Killer Problem. Their MG speculative horror titles include the acclaimed Stonewall Honor Book, The Other-woods, and Wishbone. When not writing queer, creepy, and funny fiction for kids and teens, they can be found training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, reading (a lot of) manga and web-comics, and actively avoiding real life scary situations. Rapunzel Reads: What inspired Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything? Justine Pucella Winans: The opening of the book ponders the existence of lesbian sheep, and that was honestly where the entire book grew from. I actually did read an article about lesbian sheep and connected it to my own anxiety and fears and thought, hey, wouldn't it be fun to have a character explore this? I'm a bit obsessed with opening lines and voice, so I wrote the opening and then built the story and mystery around the character. (Of course, I used a lot of other influences, like Rear Window, the friendships I made through being an anime fan, and my reluctant birdwatching past.) | 
Author photo credit: Justine Pucella Winans |
RR: One of my favorite parts of Bianca Torre was the fact that as much as it's a book about Bianca figuring out their identity, it's also a chaotic murder mystery with a side of romance. What was it like weaving together so many plotlines, and how did you choose to combine so many seemingly unrelated elements (murder, birding, lesbian sheep, anxiety, theater, and plague masks) into such an engrossing and unique story?
JPW: Truly, I'm just thankful other people enjoyed it, because I just put in a lot of things I liked/have experience with. I was a theater kid and acting major, so a lot of my books will make fun of (lovingly) actors. While I don't think any character I write is 100% like me, I do put aspects of myself into all of my main characters and all of my books. I wrote books before Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything (like... quite a few) but this one was the first time I really put a lot of myself and my humor into a project. Looking back, maybe I went a little overboard lol but I'm still so happy that others are able to resonate with the variety of references and content! It definitely took a lot of revision to really tie everything into the mystery--although the birding aspects were there from the start!
RR: What books inspired you when you were growing up?
JPW: I have always been such a huge reader, so there are probably way too many to mention. However, as a kid, some of my favorites were the Warrior Cats books, the Spiderwick Chronicles, the Deltora Quest books, and the Goosebumps books. As a teen, I read so much YA, it's hard to even remember my favorites. I was a big fan of Marie Lu, Scott Westerfeld, Libba Bray, Rick Yancey, and Louise Rennison.
RR: Bianca Torre isn't a fantasy novel, but the worldbuilding for the setting is so thorough it could be one--reading about Bianca's family, birding group, and list of fears pulled me in just as thoroughly as the twisty plot. How did you go about creating such a realistic, complex, and thoughtful setting?
JPW: They say write what you know, which might explain why most of my books take place in Southern California (where I live now) or Northeast Ohio (where I grew up). While part of it might be the fact that I don't love in-depth research, most of it is because I want to be able to authentically paint a picture of a setting and include little details that really build up the location and feel relatable to people who have been there. While Bianca's family isn't much like mine, there are still little details I used in growing up in an Italian-American family and with siblings that others hopefully relate to as well! The birding aspects did require some additional research, although I had gone to some birding walks in the past when I did Science Olympiad. So, yeah, it's a combination of lived experience and also making it work for the plot!
RR: What is your process for writing books? Are there certain pieces of a story (such as plot, a character, or a world) you usually start with as inspiration, or does it vary?
JPW: My process now is very different from my process prior to being published. Mostly, because I have deadlines lol but also I learned that outlining works a lot better for me. While I sort of came up with the character of Bianca before the story, normally, I'll come up with a plot first. Then I play around with writing an opening to get the voice of the main character. After that, I write a synopsis to get out all the plot (yes, I actually like writing a synopsis, I can't write a book without one now!) and use that synopsis while drafting. I'm one of the writers that actually prefers revising to drafting. Don't get me wrong, drafting is great too! But I'm such a problem solver, so that aspect of revisions gets me so excited. Plus, I get to collaborate with my editor, or agent, or critique partners, which is always fun. I'm a little chaotic in terms of a writing schedule (I do not write every day typically but I've also written a draft within a month before) but I always write and revise in chronological order (I forget things otherwise and like to go on the journey with the character). I never really start an idea with the world/setting. I actually think my biggest weaknesses as a writer are description, logic, and worldbuilding, so all of those usually happen in revisions.
RR: Do you have any tips for an aspiring writer?
JPW: My biggest tip might seem a little stereotypical as an answer, but I promise, it's for good reason. And that is: don't give up. Keep writing. That makes you a writer. You might be at a different stage of your writing career (it might not even be a career yet) but you are a writer. Don't give that up, whether or not you want to pursue publication. And if you do want to be published, don't give that up either. It took me eight "failed" books to write Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything. I say "failed" because at the time my goal was to get an agent and get a book deal, and that didn't happen with any of those books (not for a lack of trying). But with kind of a thank u, next attitude, all of those books got me closer to what would be my debut, even if I didn't see it at the time. So that's my biggest advice: keep writing, keep storytelling, as there's no way to tell just how close you are to your dreams until you get there.
That being said, also know when to save and close the page. Inspiration isn't usually found in a word doc. Read books, but also watch movies and play video games and do what makes you happy. Those things will inspire your work, your settings, your characters. We are all made up of a million story parts and the world inspires us to tie them together.
Lastly, try not to get too caught up in the future that you forget the amazing things you are doing in the present. That's something I was really bad at as a teen (and still struggle with as an adult). It's wonderful to have big goals of publication and awards and honors and movie deals and all that, but don't stretch your idea of success so high that you can't enjoy the little things. If you are writing stories, that's already such a huge, impressive feat. If you sent a query, or submitted your work somewhere, that's already incredible. You are amazing and you are doing amazing work. Don't forget to celebrate that already. Don't forget to be proud of yourself each and every step of the way.
RR: Bianca themself was probably my favorite part of Bianca Torre - their narrative voice is utterly fabulous, and I knew from the first page that I would follow them through all of their adventures. What's your process for creating and developing characters? Which is your favorite, and why?
JPW: Thank you! I'm always so happy when people relate to and like Bianca because I was so worried everyone would be like "what a creep" and hate them lol. (Like, sure, maybe they are a little bit of a creep, but I love them anyway.) Voice is the biggest thing that gets me hooked as a reader, so that became a focus for me as a writer. I try to really flesh out characters and the way they see the world and not be afraid to really get in their head and use their humor. Bianca might have some issues they have to get through, but they are always honest about the way they see the world, and the jokes they use to deal with it. I am honored that readers have seen themselves in Bianca--whether it be their anxiety or their gender identity journey or their anime jokes--and hearing about it makes my day every time. My favorite character is usually my protagonist, because I'm so in their head and getting all their jokes, but in Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything, I really love Anderson as well. I love writing friendships, which is why I also have to shout out my favorite underrated friendship of the book: Mrs. Coleman and Puck (other favorites of mine).
RR: What are you planning on writing next?
JPW: I actually have two books and one short story releasing this year! One Killer Problem is my next YA Mystery. It follows Gigi Ricci, a snarky bisexual with IBS, who enlists the help of her cozy-mystery obsessed best friends to solve the suspicious death of her favorite teacher. It's pretty similar to Bianca in tone since it is another funny murder mystery that is very queer, but I think Gigi is really different from Bianca! I hope readers still love her as much as I do. That's out June 4th, so just in time for pride month! My second MG horror, Wishbone, releases Sep 17th. That one is about a demiboy who finds a two-tailed cat who can grant wishes... only to realize the wishes come at a terrifying cost. I really, really love that project and can't wait for it to release. Lastly, I'm part of an amazing YA horror anthology, The House Where Death Lives, out Aug 8th. My short story deals with grief, the power of music, and a deadly and somewhat disgusting witch. It really is a love letter to my Nonno who I lost a few years ago and I'm so honored to be a part of that project and have the opportunity to share with readers.
Basically... I try to keep busy and will have even more releases to talk about soon! I always post updates on Instagram at @justinepwinans and have everything organized on my website, www.justinepucellawinans.com
RR: Bianca Torre isn't a fantasy novel, but the worldbuilding for the setting is so thorough it could be one--reading about Bianca's family, birding group, and list of fears pulled me in just as thoroughly as the twisty plot. How did you go about creating such a realistic, complex, and thoughtful setting?
JPW: They say write what you know, which might explain why most of my books take place in Southern California (where I live now) or Northeast Ohio (where I grew up). While part of it might be the fact that I don't love in-depth research, most of it is because I want to be able to authentically paint a picture of a setting and include little details that really build up the location and feel relatable to people who have been there. While Bianca's family isn't much like mine, there are still little details I used in growing up in an Italian-American family and with siblings that others hopefully relate to as well! The birding aspects did require some additional research, although I had gone to some birding walks in the past when I did Science Olympiad. So, yeah, it's a combination of lived experience and also making it work for the plot!
RR: What is your process for writing books? Are there certain pieces of a story (such as plot, a character, or a world) you usually start with as inspiration, or does it vary?
JPW: My process now is very different from my process prior to being published. Mostly, because I have deadlines lol but also I learned that outlining works a lot better for me. While I sort of came up with the character of Bianca before the story, normally, I'll come up with a plot first. Then I play around with writing an opening to get the voice of the main character. After that, I write a synopsis to get out all the plot (yes, I actually like writing a synopsis, I can't write a book without one now!) and use that synopsis while drafting. I'm one of the writers that actually prefers revising to drafting. Don't get me wrong, drafting is great too! But I'm such a problem solver, so that aspect of revisions gets me so excited. Plus, I get to collaborate with my editor, or agent, or critique partners, which is always fun. I'm a little chaotic in terms of a writing schedule (I do not write every day typically but I've also written a draft within a month before) but I always write and revise in chronological order (I forget things otherwise and like to go on the journey with the character). I never really start an idea with the world/setting. I actually think my biggest weaknesses as a writer are description, logic, and worldbuilding, so all of those usually happen in revisions.
RR: Do you have any tips for an aspiring writer?
JPW: My biggest tip might seem a little stereotypical as an answer, but I promise, it's for good reason. And that is: don't give up. Keep writing. That makes you a writer. You might be at a different stage of your writing career (it might not even be a career yet) but you are a writer. Don't give that up, whether or not you want to pursue publication. And if you do want to be published, don't give that up either. It took me eight "failed" books to write Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything. I say "failed" because at the time my goal was to get an agent and get a book deal, and that didn't happen with any of those books (not for a lack of trying). But with kind of a thank u, next attitude, all of those books got me closer to what would be my debut, even if I didn't see it at the time. So that's my biggest advice: keep writing, keep storytelling, as there's no way to tell just how close you are to your dreams until you get there.
That being said, also know when to save and close the page. Inspiration isn't usually found in a word doc. Read books, but also watch movies and play video games and do what makes you happy. Those things will inspire your work, your settings, your characters. We are all made up of a million story parts and the world inspires us to tie them together.
Lastly, try not to get too caught up in the future that you forget the amazing things you are doing in the present. That's something I was really bad at as a teen (and still struggle with as an adult). It's wonderful to have big goals of publication and awards and honors and movie deals and all that, but don't stretch your idea of success so high that you can't enjoy the little things. If you are writing stories, that's already such a huge, impressive feat. If you sent a query, or submitted your work somewhere, that's already incredible. You are amazing and you are doing amazing work. Don't forget to celebrate that already. Don't forget to be proud of yourself each and every step of the way.
RR: Bianca themself was probably my favorite part of Bianca Torre - their narrative voice is utterly fabulous, and I knew from the first page that I would follow them through all of their adventures. What's your process for creating and developing characters? Which is your favorite, and why?
JPW: Thank you! I'm always so happy when people relate to and like Bianca because I was so worried everyone would be like "what a creep" and hate them lol. (Like, sure, maybe they are a little bit of a creep, but I love them anyway.) Voice is the biggest thing that gets me hooked as a reader, so that became a focus for me as a writer. I try to really flesh out characters and the way they see the world and not be afraid to really get in their head and use their humor. Bianca might have some issues they have to get through, but they are always honest about the way they see the world, and the jokes they use to deal with it. I am honored that readers have seen themselves in Bianca--whether it be their anxiety or their gender identity journey or their anime jokes--and hearing about it makes my day every time. My favorite character is usually my protagonist, because I'm so in their head and getting all their jokes, but in Bianca Torre is Afraid of Everything, I really love Anderson as well. I love writing friendships, which is why I also have to shout out my favorite underrated friendship of the book: Mrs. Coleman and Puck (other favorites of mine).
RR: What are you planning on writing next?
JPW: I actually have two books and one short story releasing this year! One Killer Problem is my next YA Mystery. It follows Gigi Ricci, a snarky bisexual with IBS, who enlists the help of her cozy-mystery obsessed best friends to solve the suspicious death of her favorite teacher. It's pretty similar to Bianca in tone since it is another funny murder mystery that is very queer, but I think Gigi is really different from Bianca! I hope readers still love her as much as I do. That's out June 4th, so just in time for pride month! My second MG horror, Wishbone, releases Sep 17th. That one is about a demiboy who finds a two-tailed cat who can grant wishes... only to realize the wishes come at a terrifying cost. I really, really love that project and can't wait for it to release. Lastly, I'm part of an amazing YA horror anthology, The House Where Death Lives, out Aug 8th. My short story deals with grief, the power of music, and a deadly and somewhat disgusting witch. It really is a love letter to my Nonno who I lost a few years ago and I'm so honored to be a part of that project and have the opportunity to share with readers.
Basically... I try to keep busy and will have even more releases to talk about soon! I always post updates on Instagram at @justinepwinans and have everything organized on my website, www.justinepucellawinans.com
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