{"id":11371,"date":"2025-03-06T14:24:17","date_gmt":"2025-03-06T19:24:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/writersblog-backend.inkitt.com\/?p=11371"},"modified":"2025-03-07T05:58:21","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T10:58:21","slug":"interview-with-al-holland-author-of-the-neighborly-thing-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writersblog-backend.inkitt.com\/interview-with-al-holland-author-of-the-neighborly-thing-to-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview with Al Holland \u2013 Author of The Neighborly Thing to Do"},"content":{"rendered":"
We\u2019re excited to share this exclusive interview with Al Holland<\/strong><\/a>, the author of The Neighborly Thing to Do<\/a><\/strong>, whose journey took some unexpected turns.<\/p>\n
Inkitt: What was it like watching your book unexpectedly take off on Inkit?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
Al Holland: A Surprise Breakout Hit<\/b> \u2013 I uploaded my book to Inkit on a whim, never expecting it to take off. Months later, I discovered it had gained massive traction\u2014so much so that Galatea<\/a> reached out to publish it. Readers fell in love with the story even before I realized how big it had become!<\/em><\/p>\n
![\"Al](\"https:\/\/writersblog-backend.inkitt.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Al-Holland-author-of-The-Neighborly-Thing-to-Do-e1741288738305-245x300.webp\")
Al Holland, author on Inkitt and Galatea<\/p><\/div>\n
Inkitt: Your book started as a fanfiction. How did you turn it into an original story that stands on its own?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nAl Holland: From Fanfiction to Original Masterpiece<\/b> \u2013 Originally, this story was a Naruto fanfiction, which meant it had a built-in audience. But the real magic happened when I transformed it into a standalone novel. I had to make sure my characters and relationships felt fresh, real, and independent of their original inspiration. That was a huge challenge but also incredibly rewarding.<\/em><\/p>\n
Inkitt: You found out your book was getting signed while traveling\u2014tell us about that moment.<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nAl Holland: Signed While Backpacking in Southeast Asia<\/b> \u2013 I was literally living out of a suitcase when I got the email from Galatea. I was in a McDonald\u2019s in the Philippines\u2014the only place with power after our hotel had a blackout\u2014and suddenly, I\u2019m reading this life-changing message. It was surreal.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/h3>\nInkitt: A lot of romance novels focus on drama. What made you write something different?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nAl Holland: A Heartfelt, Feel-Good Romance<\/b> \u2013 I love romance novels, but I always felt like they were packed with so much unnecessary conflict. I wanted to write something warm, comforting, and focused on love\u2019s quiet, everyday joys\u2014something that just made people feel good.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Inkitt: Since your book wasn\u2019t tied to an existing fandom anymore, how did you approach developing your characters?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nAl Holland: Characters That Feel Real<\/b> \u2013 That was one of the hardest parts! In fanfiction, readers already know the characters. But in an original novel, I had to make sure their personalities, relationships, and motivations were completely fleshed out. I worked a lot on showing not just the romance, but also friendships, family dynamics, and personal growth.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/h3>\nInkitt: Did you always plan for this story to be a full-length novel?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nAl Holland: A Story That Writes Itself<\/b> \u2013 Not at all! It started as a short story, but once I introduced the characters, their journey just kept expanding. It was originally supposed to be maybe ten pages, and before I knew it, I had a full-length book!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Inkitt: Readers are loving your book! Can they expect a sequel?<\/b><\/span>
\n<\/b><\/h3>\nAl Holland: What\u2019s Next? The Sequel Is Here!<\/b> \u2013 Yes! The story continues, and I\u2019m so excited for readers to see where these characters go next. I\u2019ve already completed the sequel, and it explores even deeper layers of their relationships and personal growth.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Inkitt: You\u2019ve mentioned that you wrote this book because you couldn\u2019t find the kind of romance story you wanted to read. Can you tell us more about that?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nAl Holland: A Book Born from a Love of Reading<\/b> \u2013 Exactly! I was looking for a romance novel that focused on love\u2019s quieter, more intimate moments instead of over-the-top drama. When I couldn\u2019t find it, I decided to write it myself. And now, seeing readers connect with it in the same way I had hoped to\u2014it\u2019s just incredible.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We\u2019re excited to share this exclusive interview with Al Holland, the author of The Neighborly Thing to Do, whose journey took some unexpected turns. What started as a casual upload on Inkitt became a breakout success, leading to a publishing deal and a growing fanbase. In this conversation, Al talks about transforming a story from<\/p>\n
Al Holland: Signed While Backpacking in Southeast Asia<\/b> \u2013 I was literally living out of a suitcase when I got the email from Galatea. I was in a McDonald\u2019s in the Philippines\u2014the only place with power after our hotel had a blackout\u2014and suddenly, I\u2019m reading this life-changing message. It was surreal.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/h3>\nInkitt: A lot of romance novels focus on drama. What made you write something different?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nAl Holland: A Heartfelt, Feel-Good Romance<\/b> \u2013 I love romance novels, but I always felt like they were packed with so much unnecessary conflict. I wanted to write something warm, comforting, and focused on love\u2019s quiet, everyday joys\u2014something that just made people feel good.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Inkitt: Since your book wasn\u2019t tied to an existing fandom anymore, how did you approach developing your characters?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nAl Holland: Characters That Feel Real<\/b> \u2013 That was one of the hardest parts! In fanfiction, readers already know the characters. But in an original novel, I had to make sure their personalities, relationships, and motivations were completely fleshed out. I worked a lot on showing not just the romance, but also friendships, family dynamics, and personal growth.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/h3>\nInkitt: Did you always plan for this story to be a full-length novel?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nAl Holland: A Story That Writes Itself<\/b> \u2013 Not at all! It started as a short story, but once I introduced the characters, their journey just kept expanding. It was originally supposed to be maybe ten pages, and before I knew it, I had a full-length book!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Inkitt: Readers are loving your book! Can they expect a sequel?<\/b><\/span>
\n<\/b><\/h3>\nAl Holland: What\u2019s Next? The Sequel Is Here!<\/b> \u2013 Yes! The story continues, and I\u2019m so excited for readers to see where these characters go next. I\u2019ve already completed the sequel, and it explores even deeper layers of their relationships and personal growth.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Inkitt: You\u2019ve mentioned that you wrote this book because you couldn\u2019t find the kind of romance story you wanted to read. Can you tell us more about that?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nAl Holland: A Book Born from a Love of Reading<\/b> \u2013 Exactly! I was looking for a romance novel that focused on love\u2019s quieter, more intimate moments instead of over-the-top drama. When I couldn\u2019t find it, I decided to write it myself. And now, seeing readers connect with it in the same way I had hoped to\u2014it\u2019s just incredible.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We\u2019re excited to share this exclusive interview with Al Holland, the author of The Neighborly Thing to Do, whose journey took some unexpected turns. What started as a casual upload on Inkitt became a breakout success, leading to a publishing deal and a growing fanbase. In this conversation, Al talks about transforming a story from<\/p>\n
Al Holland: A Heartfelt, Feel-Good Romance<\/b> \u2013 I love romance novels, but I always felt like they were packed with so much unnecessary conflict. I wanted to write something warm, comforting, and focused on love\u2019s quiet, everyday joys\u2014something that just made people feel good.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Inkitt: Since your book wasn\u2019t tied to an existing fandom anymore, how did you approach developing your characters?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nAl Holland: Characters That Feel Real<\/b> \u2013 That was one of the hardest parts! In fanfiction, readers already know the characters. But in an original novel, I had to make sure their personalities, relationships, and motivations were completely fleshed out. I worked a lot on showing not just the romance, but also friendships, family dynamics, and personal growth.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
<\/h3>\nInkitt: Did you always plan for this story to be a full-length novel?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nAl Holland: A Story That Writes Itself<\/b> \u2013 Not at all! It started as a short story, but once I introduced the characters, their journey just kept expanding. It was originally supposed to be maybe ten pages, and before I knew it, I had a full-length book!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Inkitt: Readers are loving your book! Can they expect a sequel?<\/b><\/span>
\n<\/b><\/h3>\nAl Holland: What\u2019s Next? The Sequel Is Here!<\/b> \u2013 Yes! The story continues, and I\u2019m so excited for readers to see where these characters go next. I\u2019ve already completed the sequel, and it explores even deeper layers of their relationships and personal growth.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Inkitt: You\u2019ve mentioned that you wrote this book because you couldn\u2019t find the kind of romance story you wanted to read. Can you tell us more about that?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nAl Holland: A Book Born from a Love of Reading<\/b> \u2013 Exactly! I was looking for a romance novel that focused on love\u2019s quieter, more intimate moments instead of over-the-top drama. When I couldn\u2019t find it, I decided to write it myself. And now, seeing readers connect with it in the same way I had hoped to\u2014it\u2019s just incredible.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We\u2019re excited to share this exclusive interview with Al Holland, the author of The Neighborly Thing to Do, whose journey took some unexpected turns. What started as a casual upload on Inkitt became a breakout success, leading to a publishing deal and a growing fanbase. In this conversation, Al talks about transforming a story from<\/p>\n
Inkitt: Did you always plan for this story to be a full-length novel?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nAl Holland: A Story That Writes Itself<\/b> \u2013 Not at all! It started as a short story, but once I introduced the characters, their journey just kept expanding. It was originally supposed to be maybe ten pages, and before I knew it, I had a full-length book!<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Inkitt: Readers are loving your book! Can they expect a sequel?<\/b><\/span>
\n<\/b><\/h3>\nAl Holland: What\u2019s Next? The Sequel Is Here!<\/b> \u2013 Yes! The story continues, and I\u2019m so excited for readers to see where these characters go next. I\u2019ve already completed the sequel, and it explores even deeper layers of their relationships and personal growth.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n
Inkitt: You\u2019ve mentioned that you wrote this book because you couldn\u2019t find the kind of romance story you wanted to read. Can you tell us more about that?<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\nAl Holland: A Book Born from a Love of Reading<\/b> \u2013 Exactly! I was looking for a romance novel that focused on love\u2019s quieter, more intimate moments instead of over-the-top drama. When I couldn\u2019t find it, I decided to write it myself. And now, seeing readers connect with it in the same way I had hoped to\u2014it\u2019s just incredible.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
We\u2019re excited to share this exclusive interview with Al Holland, the author of The Neighborly Thing to Do, whose journey took some unexpected turns. What started as a casual upload on Inkitt became a breakout success, leading to a publishing deal and a growing fanbase. In this conversation, Al talks about transforming a story from<\/p>\n
\n<\/b><\/h3>\n
Al Holland: What\u2019s Next? The Sequel Is Here!<\/b> \u2013 Yes! The story continues, and I\u2019m so excited for readers to see where these characters go next. I\u2019ve already completed the sequel, and it explores even deeper layers of their relationships and personal growth.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n