starcrossed93 asked: First, I absolutely LOVE The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer. I finished it about two days ago, and I'm already itching to re-read it. I'm still thinking about it and all of the possibilities about the whole letter in the beginning and everything! But here's one kind of off-topic question: Did you get Mara's last name, Dyer, from the actor Troy Dyer? (Just curious ;))

Why thank you! Yay!

Off-topic questions are my favorite kind, but I wouldn’t even say this counts-it’s #maradyer/writing-related! It’s not like you asked me how to fold eggs, which is good because IDFK. There’s probably a YouTube video? Anyway.

Troy Dyer is a character played by the actor Ethan Hawke in the 1994 movie Reality Bites and the answer is yes: I totally borrowed the character’s last name for Mara. I initially thought I’d give it to Noah (in homage of the character), but it didn’t sound right for him and it did for her.

Here are some favorite Troy Dyer/Reality Bites quotes. Not that you asked.

Lelaina Pierce (Winona Ryder): I’d like to somehow make a difference in people’s lives.
Troy Dyer (Ethan Hawke): And I…I would like to buy them all a Coke.
Lelaina Pierce: And you wonder why we never got involved?

Troy Dyer: You can’t navigate me. I may do mean things, and I may hurt you, and I may run away without your permission, and you may hate me forever, and I know that scares the shit out of you because I’m the only real thing you got.

Troy Dyer: Did he dazzle you with his extensive knowledge of mineral water, or was it his in-depth analysis of Marky Mark that finally reeled you in?

Troy Dyer: [On answering machine] At the beep, please leave your name, number, and a brief justification for the ontological necessity of modern man’s existential dilemma, and we’ll get back to you.

Vickie Miner (Jeanine Garofolo): [about Troy] He’s weird, he’s strange, he’s sloppy, he’s a total nightmare for women… I can’t believe I haven’t slept with him yet.

Lainey + Troy are one of my favorite examples of the Bicker Twins which is one of my very favorite romantic tropes. If you end up seeing the movie, let me know what you think!