Thanks for asking! That’s an important project. I can’t help at the moment but am excited to see the results, I know you will do a great job.” And with that opening line, I was hooked. I simply had to know the story - why was Maebh having a temper tantrum? And what subsequent story was born from it? The answers did not let me down!

This phrase shows good leadership skills. It’s also very polite, as it shows you will not interfere with other people’s problems. Too busy? You can’t foresee there being time to help with other people‘s concerns or issues. You may have so much on your plate from your normal day that adding anything extra is impossible. You feel that it’s not your problem because you feel underappreciated or taken advantage of by your peers? This is common if you often help others but don’t ask for help in return. It can be painful to be always giving and never receiving. I don’t see how this affects me” is a decent alternative. It shows that you are not interested in someone’s problem. I’d really love to write a proper dark comedy, though I think it’s a difficult tone to get right and possibly isn’t particularly in fashion in YA right now. I think I’d like to write a kind of speculative contemporary novel as well, think The Good Place as YA or a comedy version of They Both Die at the End. Laugh-out-loud: There were so many instances of genuine laugh-out-loud moments. The characters each bring their own sense of humour to the table and I was particularly fond of Aideen's many, various diseases.

🍪 Privacy & Transparency

Instead, you can ask them to understand each other and see if they can get along. It’s a positive way to avoid conflict when you are not interested in someone’s problem. The slow burn rivals-to-lovers romance was everything and the chemistry was f-a-b. The friendship dynamics, both old and new, were wonderfully explored. The characters were all fully fleshed out and engaging in their own right and the multiple strains of character development were a+. It’s quite professional and polite, allowing you to appear in a positive way without insulting someone.

I’m sorry, but I don’t see how this affects me. Why don’t you ask my secretary to help you with it?I would love to but I’m afraid I’m in the brainstorming phase of what to do next so you’ll have to ask me again in a while! When the blurb for Not My Problem was first shared, I was immediately drawn to the premise, which featured the hate to love trope – something I adore. When I sat down to read the book, I absolutely loved it! It’s charming and funny and absolutely wonderful (if you love the TV series Derry Girls, then you’ll love Not My Problem). I’m so excited Ciara was able to stop by beyond a bookshelf (as part of Pride Book Tours’ tour for the novel) to discuss her writing and LGBTQ+ books she’s enjoyed lately. Hi Ciara! Thank you for taking the time to visit beyond a bookshelf. To start us off, can you give us an elevator pitch for Not My Problem?

Hmm, I wish I could help out. Let me know a week or two before the next project is due and I can carve out some time for you!”

8. You Should Come to an Understanding

In this book Aideen struggles with a difficult home situation, she has grown up poor which is largely caused by her mother’s alcohol problem. The duality of her feelings is portrayed excellent, you can see her love for her mother, but also the resentment towards her, because of the drinking and the problems it causes every time her mother relapses. Because of her home situation she doesn’t have many friends and she has a pretty isolated life. In a society where we prioritize individual strengths, weaknesses, and individual responsibilities, it’s easy to forget about the collective good. Saying that the issues of the world (or your friends/peers) is “not your problem” is par for the course. This mindset is not always the wrong answer though. There are situations where you cannot take on the responsibilities of everyone around you. Emotional trauma is a great example.