I've had story ideas for as long as I can remember, and I'd often jot them down in a notebook or on my phone with little intention of doing anything with them. As much as I loved writing, the idea of getting published always seemed near impossible.
It wasn't until I went on maternity leave after having my son in 2016 that I realised self-publishing was a legitimate possibility. With that in mind, I took a story idea I couldn't get out of my head and ran with it. It eventually became my debut novel.
After many drafts and revisions and traversing a super steep learning curve (which I'm still on!) I finally accomplished a lifelong dream and published Untouchable in October 2020.
2. How
long have you been writing?
I've adored reading and writing for as long as I can remember and a part of me always loved the idea of being an author. At sixteen I wrote my first novel after being inspired by a Point Horror book (thankfully, it never saw the light of day! Haha)
I then went on to study English Lit at University, and wrote a ton of essays, short stories, and some poetry.
So, I'd say writing, in one form or another has always been a part of my life.
3. What
book inspired you to begin writing?
As a kid
my favourite books were written by Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton, which often
inspired a poem or short story.
As a
teen, my inspiration came from my love of Point Horror and Point Romance books.
I would devour book after book in both series and was always consumed with a
desire to create my own characters and worlds after reading.
As an
adult, there probably wasn't one book that drove me to put pen to paper, rather
dozens I've read over the years and fallen in love with. I think my main desire
has always been to create characters that feel real and a story that moves the
reader.
The books
I love the most are the ones I develop a deep connection with and read again
and again. That's my inspiration and goal when I write now.
4. Who is
your favorite author?
Gah! I have soooo many!
But... I'll go with my OG favourite Jane Austen. I've read and studied every one of her books and even completed my final dissertation on her and her work at university.
5. If you had to choose a fictional character to have lunch
with, who would it be and why?
This in
no way is picking favourites because I love all my characters the same!! But
for a lunch date I'd have to go with Liss (FMC from the second book in the Unstoppable Series.) She's blunt, smart,
witty and comes out with some of the most hilarious one liners. I feel like I'd
spend the entire time laughing, which is awesome!
6. What
has been your biggest accomplishment since publishing?
The road
to self-publishing as a newbie was so incredibly overwhelming at times, I
wasn't sure I'd even get my first book out! So, my biggest accomplishment so
far would have to be hitting that publish button, then seeing people actually
buy or download a book I'd written!! That was, and still is, incredibly surreal
and absolutely huge for me.
7. Do you
have anything else in the works apart from your books/series?
I have SO much planned! I have story concepts and future series ideas coming out of my ears. If I could write 24/7, I'd have ten books published already, but real life (aka kids and husband) has very little respect for my (probably) over-ambitious writing plans!
Next up is the third in my Unstoppable Series. Then in 2022, I have a whole new series planned.
8. What
advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Do plenty of research about self-publishing.
Watch podcasts, join Facebook groups, make connections with fellow writers and don't be afraid to reach out.
The author community is so generous and kind, and always willing to share and support each other. For those times when deadlines are missed or a reader doesn't give such a glowing review, it's great to have a support network in place and people to share experiences with.
9. What
advice do you have about marketing and promotion?
Ooh, this
is tough!
There are
so many different approaches to marketing and promotion, and I'm still figuring
it all out!
I'd say
social media is important for engaging with readers and building a dedicated
team. Paid ads for getting as many eyes as possible on your books. Then
probably most important is nailing the book cover and blurb for your
genre/trope to make readers want to pick it up and read it!
10. What
is a writing goal you have?
I'd like to increase my writing pace with each book and create a more structured writing schedule. My target next year is to write and publish a new three-book series, plus two standalone novellas.
11. Are
you a pantser or plotter?
Both, but
mostly pantser.
I usually
create an outline, so I have some form of direction to follow, but I don't
limit myself as my stories tend to develop as I write.
12. Do you
prefer to write in past or present tense?
Past.
Past
comes more naturally to me, but the genre I write in tends to be predominantly
present. I'm toying with the idea of switching it up for my next series, but I
have no idea how that will go!
13. Are you
traditionally or indie published?
Indie. For
me, I love how accessible KDP is and having complete control over my books.
14. How
many books have you written?
I have three published and two finished but in need of a re-write.
I also have several outlines waiting and about three thousand snippets, chapters, scenes and/or ideas taking up space in my phone storage! They will eventually become stories, I promise!
15. What
is your favorite genre and/or trope to write in?
My favourite
genre is contemporary, and I have a ton of favourite tropes.
If I had
to pick one, I'd say enemies to lovers. I love the writing process with this
trope, the push and pull, the denial, the shifting emotions, the resistance,
and then the sizzling chemistry and acceptance when they finally give in! I
love writing that angsty, emotional roller coaster romance.
16. Where
is your favorite place to write?
