Welcome Claire!
You write both fantasy romance and contemporary romance. How did you come to write each? What attracted you to each genre?
I have loved magical and mystical stories since I read Enid Blyton as a child. Ideas were easy to come by and when I first started writing, I wrote a fantasy series which was kind of a quest type story similar to David Eddings with a clear good versus evil. Though I’ve written the first two books in the series, I’ve never actually published them. I wasn’t planning to have any romance in them, but it slid in without me planning it. I love exploring relationships between people and I love love, so it makes sense to me to add romance to my stories. I started reading romance when I was about 11 and had run out of books to read. Mum handed me one of her romances and I was hooked.
Do you have a favourite trope?
No, not really. I like to explore different dynamics and I don’t often actually think in tropes unless I’m stuck with my characters, and then I might sit down and think about whether any tropes would work.
Are you a plotter? Panster? Or somewhere in-between?
I’m in between and becoming more of a plotter as I go. I like having a rough idea of where the story is going, so I’ll spend some time working out the backstory of my main characters, and then I’ll brainstorm the key turning points of the story before diving into the writing. Inevitably it will change as I go, but that’s part of the fun. Also, because I write series, I’m always thinking about the next book, and how I can plant seeds for things that will pay-off in future books.
What has been the book you’ve most enjoyed working on?
Oh, that’s a hard question! My first romantic suspense, Nothing to Fear, was fun because I had to figure out how to make the suspense work. Also because it had a 12 Days of Christmas theme, it was challenging to figure out how to work it in. I also really enjoyed The Healer’s Curse because I was coming back to characters I loved, and also spending more time with dragons – who wouldn’t enjoy that?
Do you have advice for aspiring writers?
Write. That’s all it comes down to really. You need to schedule in some time to write each day/week otherwise your book will never get finished. It might take you time to find your routine, but it’s important. I’ve tried so many different things; getting up an hour early to write, writing when I get home, dictating when I took my dog for a walk, writing on the bus on the way to work. Every word helps. I also found courses about the writing craft helped when I was learning, and to this day I sometimes go back and re-read notes if I’m finding my description is bland, or my characters are lacking.
What are you currently reading/watching?
I’m currently listening to Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros and I’ve just finished watching the new season of Dare Devil.
How else do you fill the creative well?
I love craft activities. Right now I’m getting ready for the Wild Out West book signing in Perth which gives me the perfect opportunity to make things. I’ve created some cute bookish earrings, some pretty magnetic bookmarks and some shrink plastic charms. I like to listen to music while I do it, and often lines in songs will inspire an idea for a story or character.
What can we expect from you in the future?
Currently I’m working on two romantic suspense series: Squadron 6 is an Australian special forces series and book 1, Rescuing Mila has just come out. My other series, tentatively called Restoring Lilydale is an Australian-set small town romantic suspense series, also featuring military heroes and the two series are connected.
I’m also debating a new fantasy series.
Tell us about the inspiration for your latest release?
I was thinking about that recently when I launched Rescuing Mila, and to be honest, I can’t remember what inspired me. I have been watching the Australia celebrity SAS series on TV so it might have been that which inspired me to write about Australian special forces.
Thanks so much for having me!
Damien "Dobby" Dobson, a seasoned special operations soldier, has faced countless life-threatening situations. But nothing could have prepared him for the mission on a remote Indonesian island, where a routine hostage rescue spirals into chaos. A devastating tsunami strikes, turning the operation into a battle for survival.
Amid the wreckage, Damien discovers Mila Watkins, a resilient and resourceful woman with links to the hostage. Not only is she vital to the success of the mission, but she’s also the next target of the ruthless kidnappers. With the team scattered and one member critically injured, Damien makes a split-second decision to stay behind, vowing to protect Mila at all costs.
As they navigate the island’s treacherous terrain, hunted by enemies and cut off from all support, the growing bond between Damien and Mila becomes as undeniable as the dangers closing in on them. But with the enemy approaching and nowhere left to hide, can they escape the island alive— or will their fight for survival be a losing battle?
Rescuing Mila is a heart-pounding tale of courage, love, and the fight to survive against all odds.
Claire Boston
I love travelling and learning about new cultures and interesting vocations which I then weave into my writing.
When I'm not creating my stories, I can be found doing whatever my latest craft hobby is—so far the list includes book-binding, crocheting and jewellery making.
I was born in Western Australia, but am currently travelling around Australia with my husband.
You can can connect with me through Facebook or TikTok or better yet, join my reader group.
Claire Leggett
When Claire’s not writing she can be found creating her own handmade journals, swinging on a sidecar, or in the garden attempting to grow something other than weeds.
Claire lives in Western Australia with her husband, who loves even her most annoying quirks, and is currently learning how to crochet.
You can find my romance at claireboston.com and my fantasy at claireleggett.com
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