Story Behind The Book
I wrote this novel for a number of reasons. One reason is that there aren't many novels set in Phoenix, Arizona and none (that I know of) that are about being a teenager there as well. I wrote this novel, inspired by my own difficult teenage years there. I originally wrote this novel for a writing contest, which helped because I had a deadline and I couldn't be lazy about writing it. I wrote the first draft mostly at night, after getting home from work, usually after midnight or later. I wrote for a few hours every night, usually while listening to music (Norah Jones) and drinking cheap wine. After I finished the first draft, I started editing it and then rewriting it. In all, there are about seven drafts, not including the final, published version that is now available.
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Reviews
<p>Reviewed by Lit Amri for Readers' Favorite In the Middle is a poignant story of a boy's journey into adulthood....a solid read and I did enjoy it enough to finish it in one sitting. Author Zelmer Wilson is a hidden gem in the writing industry and I truly believe that he will get better in his craft. I look forward to his next work. Reviewed by Katelyn Hensel for Readers' Favorite In the Middle is an interesting and realistic story about a kid struggling to grow up in a new and confusing world for him.... Zelmer Wilson does a great job of exploring teen angst and the classic coming -of-age motif. Reviewed by Kayti Nika Raet for Readers' Favorite Set in the late '80s and early '90s, In the Middle by Zelmer Wilson chronicles the teenage years of Miller, a bright but troubled kid...and it wound up being a fairly easy read that did not disappoint. Since it's literary fiction, it has an almost memoir feel.</p>