Book Club Kit
A Conversation with Holly Miller Photo © Mark Crossfield
What Might Have Been is your second novel. What inspired you to write this story? I have a milestone birthday coming up this year, which has meant I’ve arrived at a natural period of self-reflection in my life. This planted the seeds of inspiration for a novel about choice, following one character along two different paths after she’s made a life-changing decision.
Was it difficult to essentially write two love stories, both within Lucy’s overarching journey of self-discovery? Do you have a favorite part of the writing process?
I’ve certainly experienced moments in my own life where I’ve looked
I really enjoyed creating two completely different love stories for
back and wondered how a different choice might have panned out—so
this book. Characters falling for each other is always such a fun part
it felt very satisfying to indulge this curiosity by writing a novel that
of writing a novel, so to be able to do this twice for Lucy felt like a
explores more than one outcome for my main character.
real treat! In fact, I would say that coming up with my characters and deciding how they are going to interact, and what drives them, and what they will come to mean to each other is my very favorite part of
How did you come to craft Lucy’s character? Are any of the characters inspired by real people? Certain elements of Lucy’s character—in particular her love of writing—were definitely drawn from experiences I’ve had in my own life. My career path after leaving university wasn’t linear, so
the whole process.
When it comes to love, do you believe in fate or chance? Do you feel that personal sentiment comes across in What Might Have Been?
Lucy—a character who knew where she wanted to be but couldn’t
When I started writing this novel, I probably believed much more
quite get there—already felt familiar to me. And choosing between
in chance than fate. But during the creative process, I found myself
a more rural home and the lure of the big city is also a dilemma
tuning in a lot more to stories about love—online, and on TV, and
I’ve personally felt. All my characters probably contain elements of
in magazines—and the real-life experiences of people who seemed
people I know and have known—though that might only be as minor
“meant for each other” were pretty hard to argue with! So maybe I
as the way they laugh, or their taste in music. I would never want to
could be persuaded now that fate has more of a role to play than I
model an entire character on an actual person, as that would take
previously thought—something that readers will probably be able to
much of the joy out of creating them!
detect as Lucy’s two stories progress . . .
This might be a controversial question, but which love interest do you like more—Caleb or Max—and why? Which one did you like writing more? Personally, I love Caleb and Max equally—I don’t think I’d have been able to do both stories justice if I didn’t! Max, at times, is harder to like, of course. But equally, he is Lucy’s first love, and
What do you feel is the most authentic definition of love, and do you think Lucy was able to experience that feeling in both storylines?
I wanted to test the power of that within their journey together. Caleb and Max each have elements of their personalities I adore,
I’m not sure I’m brave enough to offer up one overarching definition
and they were both so fun to write, even though they are such
of love, as it means so many different things to different people . . . but
different people. I have to say, I’m very curious to find out which
I definitely think there is something in the idea that loving a person is
character readers will feel more drawn to!
sometimes about doing things that don’t always feel easy, which this novel explores (as did my previous novel, The Sight of You). I think
Who is your favorite character in the novel, and why? Do you have a favorite scene of theirs? My favorite character would have to be Lucy. The story follows her through one of the most pivotal times in her life, and I love how bravely she decides to pursue each path, despite her moments of self-doubt.
Lucy absolutely experiences that with both Max and Caleb, albeit in very different ways.
Without giving anything away, did you always know how the story would end?
Without giving too much away, there is a scene with Lucy and Caleb
I broadly knew how I wanted Lucy’s two stories to conclude—but
toward the end of the novel that takes place well out of Lucy’s comfort
during the editing process, this was explored in many different forms,
zone, and this was such a joy to write—it felt like the most fullhearted
contexts, and settings! For me, probably the hardest part of writing a
expression of love she could have made.
novel about choice was deciding how best to draw the two storylines together at the end, as the possibilities seemed infinite at times. But we finally got there, and I’m so happy with the finished result.
What Might Have Been takes you down two storylines that both lead to Lucy experiencing an array of emotions and experiences. What do you hope readers will take away from her journeys?
What’s next for you? I’m in the early stages of planning my third book, which I’m very
I think when we have regrets, particularly about chances or
excited about. The story explores a topic I’ve wanted to write about
opportunities we might not have made the most of, it’s tempting to
for years but haven’t found a way to make work—until now. I can’t say
think we made the “wrong” choice. But while one decision may not
too much at this point other than it’s a love story with a twist, and it’s
have led to a particular desired outcome, perhaps it would have led to
very much shaping up to be a tearjerker . . .
something else equally wonderful instead. We hear this all the time when we’re talking to people—“I didn’t take that job—but if I had, then I wouldn’t have met my partner, and had my children . . .” I love that idea of one decision unfolding to become a whole different life instead. It’s such an inspiring and exciting thought, which I hope readers will be able to relate to.
Discussion Questions Discussion Questions
1. If you were Lucy in the beginning 1. of the novel, what path do
you think youLucy would taken—Stay or Go—and why? If you were in have the beginning of the novel, what path do you think you would have taken—Stay or Go—and why?
2. Have you ever been in Lucy’s2. position to possibly revisit an
old flame? If so, been did you chooseposition to pursue relationship Have you ever in Lucy’s to that possibly revisit an again, and what fromtothat experience? old flame? If so,did didyou youlearn choose pursue that relationship again, and what did you learn from that experience?
3. What was your favorite scene3. in each storyline, and why? What was your favorite scene in each storyline, and why? 4. Do you believe in fate or chance 4.when it comes to love
and life?believe After reading What Might Have Been,todidlove your Do you in fate or chance when it comes opinion and life?change? After reading What Might Have Been, did your opinion change?
5. What did you think of Tash and Lucy’s sibling dynamic in 5. each storyline? Did you relate to their complex sisterhood?
What did you think of Tash and Lucy’s sibling dynamic in each storyline? Did you relate to their complex sisterhood?
6. Are you Team Caleb or Team6. Max? What do you think
each person contributed theirMax? respective Are you Team Caleb or toTeam Whatrelationships do you thinkwith Lucy? What contributed do you think to wastheir eachrespective man’s biggest flaw? each person relationships with Lucy? What do you think was each man’s biggest flaw?
7. If you had to choose between7. finding your soul mate or
landing yourtodream which would choose, and why? If you had choosejob, between findingyou your soulmate or landing your dream job, which would you choose, and why?
8. In What Might Have Been,8. a past trauma is revealed
that puts certain characters events into perspective. In What Might Have Been,and a past trauma is revealed If that had not happened, dointo you perspective. think Lucy that trauma puts certain characters andwhere events If that have trauma hadatnot would been thehappened, start of thewhere novel?do Doyou youthink think Lucywould wouldhave haveended beenup at with the start of the Do you she Caleb, Max,novel? or a different think she would have ended up with Caleb, Max, or a person altogether? different person altogether?
9. Discuss one or more choices 9. you’ve made in both love and life that lead one you or to where you are you’ve today. Knowing whatlove you do Discuss more choices made in both and now, would still made sameKnowing choices? what you life that leadyou youhave to where youthose are today. know now, would you have still made those same choices?
10. What do you feel are the three 10.most important aspects of
love? didfeel you are come this opinion? Do you aspects feel you of WhatHow do you thetothree most important have type lovecome with to a person now? Do you feel you love?this How didofyou this opinion? have this type of love with a person now?
11. Were you surprised by the 11. ending of either storyline?
Were you surprised by the ending of either storyline?
Ingredients 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 tablespoon paprika 2 teaspoons dried oregano
Lucy’s Paella Prep: 30 mins Cook: 30 mins
Total: 1 hr Yield: 8 servings
salt and black pepper to taste 2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch pieces 3 cloves garlic, crushed 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 2 cups uncooked short-grain white rice 1 pinch saffron threads 1 bay leaf
½ bunch Italian flat-leaf parsley, chopped
1 quart chicken stock 2 lemons, zested 1 Spanish onion, chopped
Directions Step 1 In a medium bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, paprika, oregano, and salt and pepper. Stir in chicken pieces to coat. Cover, and refrigerate. Step 2 Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet or paella pan over medium heat. Stir in garlic, red pepper flakes, and rice. Cook, stirring, to coat rice with oil, about 3 minutes. Stir in saffron threads, bay leaf, parsley, chicken stock, and lemon zest. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer 20 minutes. Step 3 Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a separate skillet over medium heat. Stir in marinated chicken and onion; cook 5 minutes. Stir in bell pepper and sausage; cook 5 minutes. Stir in shrimp; cook, turning the shrimp, until both sides are pink.
1 red bell pepper, coarsely chopped
Step 4 Spread rice mixture onto a serving tray. Top with meat and seafood mixture.
1 pound chorizo sausage, casings removed and crumbled
Copyright © 2021 Allrecipes.com. All rights reserved. allrecipes.com/recipe/84137/easy-paella/
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
What Might Have Been Playlist Curated by Holly Miller SOMEWHERE ONLY WE KNOW - Keane ASHES - Embrace NEVER SAY NEVER - Tristan Prettyman BETTER TOGETHER - Jack Johnson THE CAVE - Mumford & Sons CLOCKS - Coldplay SHALLOW - Lady Gaga, Bradley Cooper GOD ONLY KNOWS - The Beach Boys HANDBAGS AND GLADRAGS - Stereophonics YOU KNOW WE CAN’T GO BACK Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds DRIVE YOU HOME - The Verve CHOCOLATE - Snow Patrol MIRACLE - Tom Baxter STILL FALLING FOR YOU - Ellie Goulding WONDERWALL - Oasis