Los Angeles, July 7 (UPI) – Jessica Knoll, the acclaimed author of ‘Luckiest Girl Alive,’ has opened up about the creative pressures she faced after the release of her first book. In a recent phone interview, Knoll revealed that elements of her new novel, ‘Helpless,’ were inspired by the immense pressure she felt to represent broad women’s issues after the success of her debut novel.
Knoll’s new book, ‘Helpless,’ is set to hit the shelves on Tuesday, and it explores themes of captivity, Stockholm syndrome, and the complexities of human relationships. The novel follows the character of Faye, a screenwriter who finds herself trapped in a cabin by her ex-boyfriend, Henry. As Faye navigates her captivity, she is forced to confront her own desires, needs, and boundaries in a relationship that has become increasingly toxic.
Knoll’s experience with adapting her first book, ‘Luckiest Girl Alive,’ into a screenplay for the Netflix film starring Mila Kunis and Finn Wittrock, also played a significant role in shaping the narrative of ‘Helpless.’ The book deals with sensitive topics such as sexual assault and school shootings, and Knoll has been careful to approach these themes with ‘a lot of care and a lot of thought.’
Stepping into the worlds of trauma and violence was a challenging experience for Knoll, who felt a sense of pressure to speak about these issues in a responsible and thoughtful manner. ‘It was tough when the film came out and I felt like I had to be very careful in how I spoke about it,’ Knoll said. ‘I’m not saying it’s a bad standard to be held to, but it’s a lot of pressure.’
In ‘Helpless,’ Knoll explores the complexities of Faye’s relationship with Henry, a character who represents both a source of comfort and a threat to her safety. The novel delves into the themes of captivity, consent, and the blurred lines between pleasure and pain in relationships. Knoll has been praised for her nuanced portrayal of Faye’s desires and needs, which are often at odds with societal expectations of women’s behavior in relationships.
The character of Faye is also influenced by Knoll’s own writing habits and experiences. Knoll has said that she often stores good lines of dialogue in her Notes app, and she has a habit of writing in the morning with a cup of coffee. Faye’s own writing habits and creative process are reflected in the novel, which explores the ways in which creative expression can be both liberating and confining.
Knoll’s writing process is meticulous and deliberate, involving multiple drafts and revisions. She has said that she often goes through seven complete drafts before arriving at a final version of her work. The novel’s ending, in particular, underwent significant changes during the revision process, with Knoll working to create a sense of tension and resolution that would satisfy readers.
With ‘Helpless’ now complete, Knoll is already working on her next project, which is currently 60 pages in. The new book, which has not been announced yet, is expected to feature murder as a central theme, much like Knoll’s previous works. As an author known for her complex characters and nuanced explorations of human relationships, Knoll continues to push the boundaries of literary fiction and captivate readers with her unique voice and perspective.
