DarkLight On...S.E. Gilchrist!

Welcome S.E.!

You write both speculative fiction and contemporary romance. How did you come to write each? What attracted you to each genre?

Science fiction and mythology have always been my favourite reading genre and have long sparked my imagination. I also grew up with the Star Trek TV series and Dr Who, which I watched almost religiously. Then of course who could forget that amazing moment when Star Wars hit the movies! I feel science fiction is a genre where anything can happen. As for contemporary romance, small town outback romance was my fav romance genre as a teenager. I wrote the Darkon Warriors series for myself however I wrote my first contemporary romance Dance in the Outback for my mother (who was not a sci fi fan and complained she wanted to read something that I wrote!). Of course, soon after I became hooked on small town romance and dreamt up Bindarra Creek where I invited other authors to write in the same setting.

Do you have a favourite trope? 

I’m definitely a fan of second chances and strongly believe everyone deserves a second shot at both happiness and life. I love getting to the heart of what drives a character to make the decisions / choices they make.

Are you a plotter? Panster? Or somewhere in-between? 

I would have to say I’m somewhere in between. I usually start with a character in a specific situation and from there, as I write more into the story, I mould the rest of the bones.



Do you have a favourite of your characters/books? 

Mmmm. Hard one since I have more than one! I would say the characters and the storyline from When Stars Collide in my Darkon Warrior series; and also same from my contemporary romance, Take me Home (Bindarra Creek A Town Reborn).



Do you have advice for aspiring writers? 

Attend writing conferences / workshops (especially the Romance Writers of Australia if you are writing romance – the information you gain as well as the friendships – are invaluable); find a compatible critique partner; submit your work to contests where they offer feedback. Keep writing and remember there is always something more to learn in this field.

 

Tell us about the inspiration for your latest release? 

The idea of a winter style Christmas has always appealed to me, probably because it’s always so hot here! Hence – the Bindarra Creek Christmas in July multi-author series was born. My story, Hidden Dreams, is about a young woman obsessed with attaining fame and fortune as an influencer whose path collides with a farmer, who is content with the life he currently lives.

What can we expect from you in the future?

I’ve got a few things on the boil! In July I will release a contemporary small-town romance, Hidden Dreams, followed later in the year by a contemporary small town mystery romance – both in another two Bindarra Creek multi-author series I am organising. I’m also working on a small-town mystery under contract with Tule Publishing, a rural crime novel and another small-town romance. I’m also in process re-editing my sci fi / dystopian romance, Quest for Earth.

 



What are you currently reading/watching? 

I’ve just started re-watching the Star Gate series plus I’ve almost finished watching John Adams mini-series, and am the middle of reading The Dawn of Ruin apocalyptic series by Stacey Upton.



How else do you fill the creative well? 

I recently moved interstate to southeast Queensland and currently live in a townhouse where I spend a lot of time creating a courtyard garden. I love swimming which helps me to relax and love listening to music. I also love alone time walking my dogs either along the foreshore or through a local shady park.

Upcoming release

Hidden Dreams

A Bindarra Creek Christmas in July Romance

Expected Release:

1 July

Will they trust each other sufficiently to reveal the dreams hidden deep inside their hearts?

Influencer, Pixie Wellington, has one goal in her life – attain fame and fortune and show her ex exactly what he tossed aside when he betrayed her with her bestie all those years ago. Receiving an invitation to her brother’s wedding along with the news of a small town Christmas in July festival, she senses she’s on the edge of something wonderful. Finally, she’ll prove her worth.

Sheep farmer, Jordan Chase, is content with small town life but has given up on finding love. Afterall, the woman who’s been his best mate since childhood is now engaged to someone else. Confronted with an American woman who seems to spend more time filming rather than participating in life, he wants nothing more than to escape back to his almost hermit existence.

Thrown together as best brides man and the groom’s best woman, chief gingerbread house helpers and the family parade float detailers, Pixie and Jordan soon discover they have more in comman than they ever thought possible.

***

Welcome to Bindarra Creek Christmas in July multi-author series and experience love and life in a small Australian town.

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S.E. Gilchrist

S.E./Suzanne Gilchrist lives in the Hunter Valley, Australia with her family and pets and is the author of over twenty books, several of which have finalled in writing contests. As S. E. Gilchrist, she writes science fiction, ancient historical, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic romances and romantic suspense. As Suzanne Gilchrist, she writes women’s fiction and contemporary small-town romances, often with a splash of suspense.

Suzanne takes a keen interest in the environment and animal welfare and loves bushwalking and kayaking, spending time with family and friends and walking her dogs. She co-runs Hunter Romance Writers and is the organiser of several group writing ventures.

Find S.E at segilchrist.com.