Rebecca Yarros’ ‘Variation’: How Writing Saved the Bestselling Author’s Life

Rebecca Yarros has a new contemporary romance titled Variation coming out on November 19. The Colorado-based author, who is 43 years old, has published 25 books. Her previous work, Fourth Wing, became a bestseller in 2023, selling over 2 million copies and gaining massive attention on TikTok.

Yarros faced challenges this past year as her sudden fame brought intense scrutiny on social media. She describes social media as a “hall of mirrors” that can distort self-image. To cope, she emphasized the importance of focusing on real life and personal relationships over online opinions.

In an interview, Yarros discussed how she utilized her writing as a therapeutic outlet during difficult times. The plot of Variation follows Allie, a ballerina who confronts her past after an injury and the return of an old flame. The story intertwines themes of love and personal struggle, reflective of Yarros’ own experiences.

Yarros noted that writing Variation was crucial for her emotional healing and that it set the stage for her upcoming book, Onyx Storm. She believes that without Variation, she wouldn’t have made it through the past year.

She acknowledges the influence of social media on her work, allowing her to express thoughts she wished she could have shared with herself earlier. Despite some fans questioning her return to contemporary romance, Yarros affirmed that both fantasy and romance genres are essential to her creative process. Writing in one genre inspires her work in the other.

Yarros sees the balance between romance and fantasy as vital. She states that both genres enrich her writing, allowing her to explore conflict, love, and character development.

Variation is available for preorder wherever books are sold, and Yarros plans to continue writing in both genres.