DarkLight On...Keri Arthur and Refilling the Creative Well!

 

Whether we’re writing full-time, part-time, or in whatever random gaps we might get in-between work and family, the one thing no writer can do without is time to refill the well.

We are not machines. We cannot write novel after novel without a break and expect it to have no detrimental effect on our writing health. While a full well fuels and inspires new ideas and productivity, an empty one can mean the exact opposite—a lack of inspiration and motivation which can often lead to a lack of focus, words, and all-around frustration.

copyright: Keri Arthur

So, how do we go about refilling our wells?

The best way to do that is to find a side passion—something else that’s creatively or mentally stimulating you can do at least a couple of times a week. Many people recommend reading, but while that is a damn good option for some, it just doesn’t work for me. I’m at the computer screen all day staring at words; the last thing I need is to be staring at words on a tablet or even in a book.

copyright: Keri Arthur

What does work for me is combining two passions—walking and photography. I walk every day in a vague effort to keep fit, but, as those who follow my personal page know, I take an awful lot of photographs during those walks. Most of the time, they’re nothing special—just a random something that caught my eye, like a pretty rose, a sunrise, or a lovely old tree. The subject doesn’t matter; it’s more about getting my mind’s eye off words and looking for photo possibilities. And honestly? The best way I’ve found to unstick a scene is to go out for a walk or jump in the car and drive somewhere to grab some photographs. It’s amazing what the muse can come up with if you’re not putting any pressure on her—even if that means getting up at ungodly hours to get the perfect sunrise (still searching for that one).

copyright: Keri Arthur

Other creative ways to refill the well would be: drawing, sewing, visiting gardens or museums, wandering along a beach, or simply sitting in a café and people-watching. It doesn’t really matter, as long as you’re taking a few minutes of personal time at least once or twice a week to look after your creative and mental health.

copyright: Keri Arthur

Remember, creativity is not a machine, and neither are you.

So, what do you do to refill the well? Let’s chat!

Latest Release

Bia's Blade

Book 6, Relic Hunters

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer... 

Bethany Aodhán is not only a reluctant relic hunter for Deva’s Fae Council, but also a major “chess piece” in the latest round of godly games. When a fallen storm goddess tasks her with finding Bia’s Blade—a godly weapon capable of bringing anyone under the control of its wielder—she knows danger will once again stalk her.

As if that was not enough to deal with, the council hands her a second mission—find the person who, with the help of another godly relic, broke into one of the most secure banks in all of England to steal a handful of documents.

It soon becomes clear that the person behind the break-in is after the same thing Beth is—the location of Carla Wilson, the second-in-command of the Ninkilim.

But things become more complicated when she receives confirmation that someone close to her works for the enemy. What she doesn’t know is how far they will go to fulfill their contract.

And whether it really even matters.

Because Carla Wilson has finally had enough of Bethany’s interference, and is now determined to bring her under total control… with the help of Bia’s Blade.

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Ebook - Author store

Audiobook - author store

Keri Arthur

Keri Arthur, author of the New York Times bestselling Riley Jenson Guardian series, has now written more than 25 books. She's received several nominations in the Best Contemporary Paranormal category of the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards and recently won RT's Career Achievement Award for Urban Fantasy. She lives with her daughter in Melbourne, Australia.

Visit Keri's website: keriarthur.com

Magic Thursday: Writing and brain fog with Eleni Konstantine!

 

Writing for me is most likely never going to be full time and that's okay. Because this is me. 

For those who don't know me, I suffer from CFS/ME - Chronic Fatigue Syndrome / Myalgic Encephalomyelitis - and Fibromyalgia. The bitch of it being 'brain fog'. This can cloud the mind, making it feel heavy, muffled, slow, and dull. When I push myself too far, the brain fog pushes back.  

It's the worst with writing. I can manage to design covers and write articles for Romance Writers of Australia's  Hearts Talk in manageable bursts. But thinking about writing can be like being stuck in mud with an invisible wall between me and actually drafting the story. 

Up until the last two years, I’d start a story, only to stop a few pages in. Being a pantser, I love exploring my story and characters this way, but the focus wasn’t there. So I tried planning but this didn't work either. I just kept on stalling. Again and again.   

But recently, writing is part of my life again. While my writing may be in fits and starts, it has returned. 

There are a number of reasons for this change, including changes in medication, changes in diet, breaking up my day, limiting time on screens, engaging in free writing to get things out of my mind, more reading time as a reader (though the author brain doesn't always switch off), improved sleep hygiene, having a basic routine, and getting more movement in.

The words have been mostly by hand in notebooks, with scribbling of ideas as well. I had a roll-on effect for a little and I finished a short story, then started on another. Then another.

Unfortunately there have been a few more fits and starts since then. The latest being recently with the end of year madness, and also another change in medication, so I am trying to find my new baseline. I know it's a matter of adapting my writing life to my needs using patience and perseverance. Also, it’s a matter of reviewing of what works and doesn’t work, and making the necessary changes. 

Nothing is set in stone. 

A few things I keep in mind:

Writing specific:

• The writing doesn't have to be perfect. I can fix it later. 
• Picking my time and working with my energy, not against it. 3pm is not the time for me. This is when my brain is getting sleeping and my afternoon nap calls. I've done quite a few middle of the night writing sessions. 
• Any writing is better than none.
• Not berate self for not writing every day.  
• Leaving breadcrumbs about the story, so I know where I'm going the next writing session.
• Setting realistic goals and deadlines. Not every day is a good day. 
• Stop writing before getting overtired.
• Be positive towards the writing even when the words aren't flowing. 

General:

• Getting in breaks as needed during the day, and having rest days. 
• Breaking up all tasks into manageable bits. 
• Multi-tasking is the enemy of focus.
• Treat myself kindly.
• To be patient  - there's always tomorrow.

 

So going back to my opening sentence. I know I don't have the energy levels or concentration to be able to write the amount needed to be a full time author, and to rely on my writing for the income. Not having that pressure on myself means I can be more realistic with my projects. 

Writing is first and foremost for me, as I love telling stories, but hopefully other people will enjoy reading my stories as well. 

That doesn't mean I will not stretch myself writing wise, but it does mean less stress on myself to accomplish something not in my reach, which in turn can only help my stories and characters. This also doesn't mean things will not change depending on the brain fog. I may be able to write more and lessen other tasks.  It's a matter of being flexible. 

My goal this year is to indie publish a dragon short story collection (yes, that had been my goal last year but it was a year of health investigations in what ended up being more manifestations of the fibromyalgia). 

I've got a number of stories in first draft form, and am writing a few more. I'm keeping myself accountable with sharing on the Paraloop (the private loop of the DarkSiders). And I'll be adjusting each month to be able to balance life and writing. 

Sharing here will also keep me accountable. 

Wish me luck!

~ Eleni 

Images from Deposit Photos

Enchanted Dreams

a short story collection

Be transported to fantastical worlds in this collection of nineteen speculative fiction shorts of previously published works and new stories.  From wizards to magic mirrors, dragons to ghosts, minions to goddesses, space ships to diamond slippers, there's an enchanting tale right for you.

Get a free copy now!

Limited time only

Eleni Konstantine

Eleni Konstantine writes speculative fiction (with and without romance) and finds enchantment in escaping the known world and entering another one. Magic and other mythical beings have always fascinated her. What’s to not like? Anything can happen! Sprinkle in a romance and a happy ending and she’s on cloud nine.

Find Eleni at: elenikonstantine.com

 

DarkLight On ... Christina Phillips!

Welcome Christina! 

You write historical romances. What attracted you to this genre?

I’ve always loved history and growing up in England I was lucky to be surrounded by Roman remains and medieval castles. I’d always wondered what secrets those ancient walls held and imagined the people who had lived there during the centuries.

Although I’ve always loved historical romances it didn’t occur to me to actually write one for publication. But after years of submitting to Mills and Boon, working with editors on revisions but never quite managing to hit what they were looking for, my CPs dared me to write a historical PNR short story that had been haunting me for years. Much to my delight, my witch and vampire romance was published by The Wild Rose Press. 

Tell us about the hint of mysticism you add to these stories. 

My first historical romance series, The Druid Chronicles, is set in 1st century Britain during the Roman invasion. Not a lot is known about the druids, apart from the biased reports of the Romans, so I really let myself lean into the mysticism. My heroines worship the ancient goddesses, who are not happy with how the Eagle is wiping out the old way of life. I had so much fun weaving in myths and legends as my heroines fell in love with their deadliest enemies, while trying to remain loyal to their powerful goddesses.

In the past you’ve written paranormal romances. Do you think you’ll ever return to the genre?

I’d love to return to the Realm of Flame and Shadow, with my archangels, demons and vampires. I love that world so much and there’s so much more to explore. First on my list next year is to finish the final two books in The Highland Warrior Chronicles (set in the 9th century, this series weaves in the old gods who are being slowly crushed by the advent of a new religion from Rome), but after that my plan is to write the next book set in my realm of immortals.

 

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

My latest books are with a publisher, so I had to hammer out a half decent synopsis for them, but I always find it fascinating that it’s only once I start writing that the real story emerges. With Forbidden, the first Druid book, I had no clue how it would end, and to this day can still see the whirlwind of chaos the gods wrought in my mind as I typed desperately to keep up! (I wish that happened more often!) Generally, I write bullet points and vague notes about what needs to happen at some point and go from there.

 

What is your latest release and your inspiration behind it?

My latest release is Abducted by the Highlander, the third and final book in the Daughters of the Isle series. This is a series that wasn’t supposed to have any hint of mysticism in it. But before I knew it, my three sisters had a druid foremother who had passed down an edict from mother to daughter for 900 years, a warning; but the meaning had been lost during the centuries.

My inspiration for this series comes from the myths and legends that surround the Isle of Eigg, one of the Small Isles off the west coast of Scotland. Until the 16th century it was known as the Island of the Powerful Women and of course that sparked my interest. Going back in history, who were the powerful women?

Druids.

And then there is the terrible massacre that took place on the Isle in the 16th century, where only one family escaped, and so the seed of an idea was born.

Thank you for having me!

Abducted by the Highlander

Book 3, Daughters of the Isle

Release date: 2 December

She dreams of a future with her noble Scot—only to discover he’s an outlaw from his clan.

Roisin MacDonald lost her heart to Hugh the day she met him, but despite his promises to return to her, after he left her isle, she never heard from him again. And yet she cannot forget him and harbors the secret hope that one day their paths will cross again.

Traveling in the Highlands to visit her sister, Roisin’s party is ambushed. When she tries to escape, she’s horrified to discover one of the bandits is none other than Hugh Campbell. She scarcely recognizes this menacing stranger and yet there’s no denying the passion that still blazes between them.

He saves her from ruin, but who will save her from him…

Commanded to spy for the Earl of Argyll, Hugh Campbell leaves everything to go undercover in a rebel MacGregor clan. Forced to survive as a mercenary, it’s only the memory of sweet Roisin MacDonald that keeps the darkness at bay. One day, he hopes to make her his, but as he falls deeper into the shadows of subterfuge, he despairs he’ll ever escape this life, never mind be worthy enough to seek her hand.

Hugh can’t believe the one woman he hoped would never discover this side of his life is now ensnared with the rebels. Every moment she stays with him puts her in peril, and he swears he’ll protect her and return her to her kin. He’ll keep her safe whatever it takes, but his pledge to keep his distance from her shatters with their first illicit kiss.

As danger closes in, Hugh knows he must risk everything to ensure Roisin survives.

But how can he let her go, when he knows it means they will never see each other again?

Tropes you'll love:

• Protector hero
• Touch her and die
• Forced proximity
• First love
• Unrequited love
• Fish out of water
• She falls first, he falls harder
• Rekindled romance

Pre-Order

Christina Phillips

Christina grew up in England and spent her childhood visiting ruined castles and Roman remains and daydreaming about Medieval princesses and gallant knights. When she wasn’t lost in the past, she was searching for magical worlds in the backs of wardrobes and watching old Hammer Horrors from the safety of behind the sofa. She enjoys writing historical romance, historical romantasy, paranormal romance and contemporary romance where the stories sizzle and the heroine brings her hero to his knees.

She now lives in sunny Western Australia with her high school sweetheart and their two cats who are convinced the universe revolves around their needs. They are not wrong.

Find Christina at christinaphillips.com and Facebook. 

DarkLight On... Mel Teshco!

 

Welcome Mel Teshco!

You write science fiction romance and contemporary romance. What attracted you to both of these genres?

I’ve always loved reading both these genres in all their forms (I especially love YA sci-fi and might even give it a go one day i.e. finish off a story I started years ago…), but though it makes sense to stick to one genre and build an audience I ended up paring my writing down to these two genres. I didn’t want to dull my creativity, so this was the best I could come up with ☺ 

Is it difficult separating the two?

Not at all. I’ve built up a bit of a readership with my sheikh and mafia contemporaries, and might stick with those to hopefully keep my fan base happy. My science fiction stories are much more diverse and range from aliens to dragons and DNA hybrids. I love the freedom of these and enjoy giving my characters superpowers and strengths as much as I do their weaknesses. 

 

You have such a busy release schedule. How do you maintain this?

I put up pre-orders and plan ahead so that I have no choice but to meet my deadlines. Having said that, as a mostly self-published writer now I don’t have a fixed word count, so as long as the story doesn’t lose any impact I’ll write shorter where necessary. I definitely write faster under pressure, though sometimes I itch to write a completely different story (which I often do, much to my peril lol!). I’ve begun making my pre-orders farther apart just so I have more freedom to write other bits and pieces as the mood strikes. I do have to remind myself to clean the house though so it doesn’t look like a bomb hit it. 

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

Though I’ve plotted in the past for publishers (RE: my ghost writing where I’ve had to give a chapter by chapter summary) I don’t enjoy thinking too far ahead. I do at times have a bit of an inkling of the ending, or sometimes while I handwrite I’ll do a brief summary of an upcoming scene as it occurs to me. 

Do you have advice for aspiring writers?

Enter competitions (the advice can be invaluable, as can your ranking which gives a good idea of how close you are to being publishable). Do workshops, both online and at conferences. Read some of the bigger selling novels and look out for what readers want. Find a critique partner who ‘gets’ you and who helps make your work shine and vice versa. Above all don’t self-publish until you’re well and truly ready, you need a thick skin in this business at the best of times and there are some harsh critics/readers out there (some lovely ones too!)

How do you fill the creative well?

I take the time to read, even when I get home from work in the early hours of the morning I’ll usually read for at least 10 or 20 minutes. (Watching TikTok has also become a bit of an Achilles heel lol) I also tend to daydream a bit while driving to and from work. It’s a good time to think through storylines and dream up characters. I’ll often blast the music, put on my seat heater (good for my back muscles and general relaxation) and sift through all the ‘stuff’ in my head.

What is next in the future for you? 

I’ve got a whole series of sheikh stories to write (book 2 is out today). I’ve also started on my next sci-fi series with genetically altered characters, with the first book His Asset coming soon.  I do have a few books that aren’t up on pre-order as yet, which I really want to get to. These might be on next year’s schedule.

 

 

Tell us about your latest release and your inspiration behind it.

My latest release is actually a re-release—Incandescence—which is why it’s a paranormal suspense genre. This one was published through Totally Bound. I can’t remember the inspiration behind it, but I must have been going through a bit of a vampire stage. I’ve always enjoyed the alpha side of a vampire hero. I wrote this one in first person pov, which I hadn’t done a lot of until I started my mafia series. Some stories just seem to want to lean more into that style.

Latest release

Incandescence

Escaping the nest of their vampire master is an amazing triumph. Surviving will be the greatest challenge of all.

Alexander.

I've been a blood slave to my vampire master for forty-six years. My rare blood makeup gives my master the perfect nutrition. My addiction to the couple of drops he feeds me in return ensures I have no compulsion to leave. I'm a willing blood donor, an immortal slave. Then my master brings yet another blood slave to his nest, and I can't tear my eyes away from her.

Maya.

I can't believe I've been kidnapped. I definitely can't believe vampires are real. But I soon learn they're not just real, they're cold and brutal, and will do anything for their bloodlust. Everything within me burns to escape, and if I have to use the other blood slave to do just that, I will. If I'm all too quickly seeing past his addiction and good looks to the man beneath, that's just too bad. Survival is my focus. Love and desire have no place in this nightmare I'm living. Do they?

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Amazon | Other

Mel Teshco

I’m an award winning author who loves to write scorching hot contemporary and science fiction romance—stories I love to read. I love working from home, where my office window looks out over our ‘block’ of fourteen acres with gorgeous mountain views. After enjoying a stint as a foster carer for cats, I now have seven felines to entertain me, along with two dogs and a horse. But only when I’m not distracted by my three gorgeous daughters and two grandchildren. As for my very patient husband…he’s still waiting for retirement.

Visit Mel's website: melteshco.com

DarkLight On.... Amy Hutton!

Welcome, Amy!

You write romantic comedy but are now delving into the paranormal. What attracted you to both of these genres?

My two favourite genres have always been horror and romance. I’m a big fan of both across all media – books, movies and TV. I had written some light horror short stories just for fun, and when I first decided to try to write something longer, I thought that’s what I would do. What I didn’t realise was, until I was in the thick of it, that I was actually writing a love story with big R romance at its core.

My light horror became a paranormal romance as it unfolded in front of me, and when it was finished, I knew that was what I wanted to write. Romance with a bit of spook. I’d discovered I love writing love. But I’d also discovered I have a naturally funny voice. I can’t help but have fun with banter and situations, even in darkness – letting a little comedy and romance lighten the story.

So, I launched into this idea that I would write romance through a paranormal gaze, but when I was working on my second manuscript - a follow up to my first, now paranormal romance - the opening scene of Sit, Stay, Love downloaded into my brain and would not leave me alone. So eventually, I gave in, pushed the other story aside and wrote a sweet and sexy Aussie romcom with humans and the pets that save them. Then I had a small-town romance idea. So… I wrote that — which very nicely came second in the Emerald. Then I got a book contract for Sit, Stay, Love, quickly followed by another two-book deal one of which would be the second book in the Sit, Stay, Love Universe called Love from Scratch. After that was delivered, I wrote another story in the SSL Universe. But when my publisher and I were discussing this and it being my third book, my original paranormal romance came up in the conversation. I had worked on that story – the first one I ever wrote – over and over in between everything else. Having it beta’d and professionally edited, improving and changing it as I grew as a writer. I had entered it in several competitions, and it won and placed in quite a few. I had pitched it and had a few material requests but no further interest because paranormal, at the time, was not in favour– at least not in the trad publishing world. At one point I was going to indie publish it and even worked up a cover idea and had it formatted. But when Sit, Stay, Love got picked up – I put my paranormal romance on hold to focus on the trad publishing deal. Now, all of a sudden, my publisher wanted to read it, the story that started my journey, my heart story to be honest, and much to my surprise, she decided that should be my next book. So, I’ve circled back to paranormal romance! Except, I also have a few other ideas outside of the paranormal world, so now I think of myself as a romance author – and wherever the love takes me, that’s where I’ll go.

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

I think you can see from the first question, that initially; I was definitely a pantser! Now I would say I’m somewhere in between. When writing to a contract, I had to submit my concept to my publisher, so she at least had a little bit of an idea of what I was writing! That’s how I approach all my ideas now. I don’t break them out, I don’t work out all the things that are going to happen or break them into chapters. I don’t really plan anything – I’m incapable of that level of organisation. But I do write an elevator pitch and a blurb, even if just very rough, that gives me some idea of what the story is and where it might go, though not the nuts and bolts of it. Then with the idea sort of locked, I start to write and find the characters and the voices, letting the story flow in the direction it flows. I also edit as I go. Not intensely, but I like the first draft to be pretty clean. I like to know that if I handed it off to someone, they would be able to read it, even if it was still a bit messy here and there. I absolutely cannot do a vomit draft. It stresses me out too much, and I find it too overwhelming when it comes to draft two.



How did your former work as a TV Producer help you in your writing?

For a long time, I worked exclusively on promoting movies. Making promos and trailers for them, and sometimes little mini docos. I have seen a lot of movies! When promoting movies and TV shows, you listen out for dialogue grabs that help to tell the story. You get quite tuned into that – and of course the story itself. To me, I think, through this, my TV work has helped me in two specific ways. Structure. That’s something I’ve never had a problem with and in the three books that have gone through edits with my publisher, the structure hasn’t changed. I’ve never had to move stuff around or change anything substantial, and I think picking through movies and TV for the elements that can nail the story for the audience, and building something that can tell that story, engaging the audience in thirty seconds, has helped my structuring skills. Dialogue. I have listened to sooo much dialogue over the years, and I have also written scripts to be read by voiceover artists — words to be spoken. I think these two things have given me a bit of a dialogue knack. It’s something that I often receive feedback on; that my dialogue feels natural. I will also say the other way my other career has assisted me is in producing marketing material. I worked in promotions and marketing, I did full on graphic courses, went to Facebook headquarters for courses on FB and Insta campaigns, produced for all the social streams as well as TV, can edit video, so those skills have been an unexpected gift!



Do you have advice for aspiring writers?

There are a few things I think are important. Write and keep writing. If you really want to do this thing, you’ve got to keep writing. That’s the only way it works sadly! You’ve got to get the words onto the page. Do it how it suits you. People will tell you write every day, write to a schedule, do this, do that, but do it your way. It’s a creative process and we’re all different. But you have to write. Find your people. You’re going to have loads of questions and wobbly moments, so having people who get it and have your back and can be your support when you need it is super important. We all lift each other up. Keep learning and reading. These two things go hand-in-hand, because reading is learning. So do craft courses, read craft books, but also read — in your chosen genre, and outside of it too. Reading is essential to becoming a good writer. Start connecting with your readers now. The sad fact is, we are not just authors, we are marketers and promoters, event organisers, publishers and publicists, designers and retailers. We wear a lot of hats! Start developing ways to reach your readers early. Set up your social media now. Start talking books and reading and anything else that connects with your work. Be authentic. Choose a space you feel comfortable and focus on that. Don’t wait until the book is about to come out. Get it going now and start building your community.

Mostly, don’t give up. If you love writing you probably won’t anyway but keep going even when it’s tough. Write what is in your heart and don’t judge yourself on other’s success. Our journeys are all different. Focus on your own path and work on getting there.

I also want to say, when talking about trad publishing, as much as the ability to tell a fresh story is essential, so is luck. You need to get your story in front of the right eyeballs at exactly the right moment. With Sit, Stay, Love – I pitched that in 2022 when rom-coms were just popping. So I was lucky I had a fun, hopeful, rom-com when that was what readers, and consequently publishers, were looking for. With my paranormal – it languished for a few years because that genre was not ‘in’, at least not in Aussie publishing. Then all of a sudden, paranormal was coming back around. Ali Hazelwood, a mainstream rom-com writer, put out a paranormal that went off, and trad publishing was suddenly interested again. I just happened to have a paranormal romance with a rom-com vibe finished and ready to go just as the genre was coming back into the zeitgeist. That was very lucky and like I said earlier, very unexpected. Obviously, my stories had to connect with my publisher, and she had to see something in them to support them – but don’t underestimate timing and luck. Getting a book deal is equal parts talent. timing and luck.

What else can we expect from you in the future?

I have a couple of festivals coming up. I’m appearing at Storyfest in Ulladulla and a new Sydney festival that hasn’t been announced yet. I’m also running workshops through the Northern Beaches and Mosman College and Writing NSW.

My paranormal romance is out later this year. So, I’m in the process of preparing for that. It had a title and a release date which was locked and out there, but I had a change of publisher (my changed houses,) and when she looked at it, she pitched a title change and new release date. Both of which I thought were great. So that new title, release date and the very gorgeous cover will be released on May 26! Keep an eye on my socials! I’m also working on a follow up to that story, along with a sports rom-com and a paranormal rom-com series. So there’s a bit going on!



What are you currently reading/watching?

Reading: I’ve just finished Fan Service by Rosie Danan. Big rec for this – especially if you love Supernatural, Teen Wolf, The Vampire Diaries and extra especially if you’ve ever identified as fannish. I’m now reading Ali Hazelwood’s latest, Deep End. I’ve also just finished the ARC for Emma Mugglestone’s run club romance out through Penguin in a couple of months called In the Long Run.

TV: Well, I’m watching The Last of Us, The Studio, trying not to binge through You on Netflix. But mostly right now I’m watching ER! I had to get Max to watch The Last of Us, and as I’d just finished The Pitt (amazing if you haven’t watched it) I saw ER there and thought I’d check it out and now I’m on season 9! It’s been a fascinating time capsule. It starts in 1994 and it’s now 2005 – so they now have mobile phones. Flip ones with pull-up aerials!

Movies: I just saw Thunderbolts*, which was super fun, and Sinners, which is a must see. SO GOOD! I’m hanging out for Final Destination Bloodlines, and The Conjuring: Last Rites, (though I was underwhelmed by the trailer.) But mostly I’m busting to see the new Lilo and Stitch live action! I will be there on opening day!



What other ways do you fill the creative well?

I love producing graphics in Canva and spend a fair amount of time doing that. I read all the time – there’s always a book or two on the go. I’ve been lucky enough to have been asked to read quite a few ARCs this year, so that’s been fun. I also love going to author events, launches and chats, to hear about other writers' processes etc. I always find that inspiring. I randomly do crafty things too. But they are very random.



Tell us about your latest release.

My last release was Love from Scratch – a sexy rom-com about an actor, the out-of-work chef who minds his anxious dog, and the cranky cat that brings them together. It’s set on the Sunshine Coast. Is sweet, funny, deals with long held traumas, and has some spicy spice…some of which is in the kitchen (and I don’t mean the kind that goes into the food!) It was an Editor’s Pick in the 2024 Spotify Wrap.

Next up is my paranormal romance - out later this year. Which I can’t tell you the title of until after May 26! The story is set in the US leading up to Halloween, in a small, picturesque town. It’s about a psychic ghost hunter and a paranormal investigator who come together to look into a famous haunting at a historic home and are dragged into a mystery that spans generations. It’s spooky/swoony and a little spicy. Ghosts, and witches and kisses, oh my!

Socials:

Instagram, TikTok, Threads, X, BlueSky - @amyhuttonauthor

Facebook – Amy Hutton Writes

Website – amyhuttonauthor.com

Love from Scratch

Book 2, Sit, Stay, Love

In the follow-up to Sit, Stay, Love – Opposites attract in this laugh-out-loud rom-com about a heart-throb actor, the grumpy woman who minds his dog, and the cat that steals his heart. 

Ethan James has a problem: he’s about to start shooting a movie and he needs someone to mind his anxious dog, Harry. This film could make or break Ethan’s career, and he knows he has to give it all his attention, but Harry’s new minder turns out to be more of a hindrance than a help. She’s gorgeous and funny, and throws so much shade in his direction that Ethan can’t think straight. 

Hazel Conor has a problem: she’s just lost her job as a sous chef at the fancy beachside restaurant she uphauled her life for. And if she doesn’t get another job soon, she won’t be able to afford food – or worse, cat food, and then her grouchy cat Kevin will finally murder her in her sleep. So when she sees an ad for an easy dog minder job, she goes for it. 

Hazel finds everything about Ethan annoying; he’s flashy, flirty, and a total charmer. She probably wouldn’t look at him twice if it wasn’t for her cat. Because Kevin, the cat who hates everyone, is totally smitten with Ethan James. And with each purr, cheek rub and head bump that Kevin bestows on Ethan, Hazel begins to wonder if there’s something her cat can see that she can’t. 

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Amy Hutton

Amy is a former award-winning TV producer who now spends her days writing swoony love stories. When not busy toying with her character’s emotions, she’s probably hanging with her rescue dog Buffy, or lost in the pages of her latest favourite romance read. Amy is in a long-term relationship with Disneyland. She loves to travel, adores anything Star Wars, and has an unwavering commitment to Hallmark Christmas movies.

A Romance Writers of America, Romance Writers of Australia and Romance Writers of New Zealand award winner, Amy’s debut romance Sit, Stay, Love was published in August 2023, with the follow up Love from Scratch published June 2024, both through Simon & Schuster Australia. Her next book, a spirited new romance will be out through Simon & Schuster Australia around Halloween 2025.  If you love love, check out Amy’s books.

DarkLight On... Claire Boston / Leggett!

 

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!

Rescuing Mila

Book 1, Squadron 6

In the heat of a high-stakes mission, they must survive not only the enemy but the fury of nature itself…

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.

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Claire Boston 

I fell in love with romance and romantic suspense at eleven when I discovered my mum's stash of Nora Roberts novels. It didn’t take me long to start writing my own stories. I write series set around families or groups of friends with a guaranteed happy ending.

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

Claire Leggett has loved dragons, magic and everything fantastical since she read The Enchanted Wood by Enid Blyton. As a child she used to sneak to the bottom of the garden in the hope of finding fairies. Alas she never found any, so she brought them alive in her own imagination. Her stories are full of magic, adventure and escape.

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

 

DarkLight On... Hellucy Howe!

 

Welcome Hellucy!

How did you come to write paranormal romance? What attracted you to the genre?

Growing up, my Dad read me fairy tales from old books he’d collected at the market. I loved the magic, the romance of those fascinating worlds, and the adventures that befell the characters. Contrast that with going to school and having to read John and Betty - they bored me to tears.

What do you love about writing novellas?

I’ve actually been writing all my life, but never had the courage to do anything about it. My daughter is a writer, too, so when author friends of hers were putting together several authors for an anthology, she said: ‘oh, I know someone. My Mum is an excellent writer.’ I could have declined, but the requirement was only a novella, so I said: ‘what the heck’, and “Filigree and Fate” came into being. Thereafter came several more anthologies, so several more novellas. I found the brevity of the novella fitted in well with the occasions I had to write between my, at the time, work shifts. They also didn’t individually, require a complex plot, but, although they can be read as stand alone, I’ve also linked them through family.

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

Probably somewhere in between. I want to write story; I’ve no wish to sit writing each character’s favourite colour, etc. although I have only admiration for those people who can work that way. I simply can’t. Things happen in my head, in my dreams, and in conversations with my daughter as we sift thoughts and fine tune ideas. My action, events and characters bloom on the page, often the characters take charge, although I have a notebook where I’ve written down key events and ‘things that MUST happen, as they come to me. It’s also where I’ll take note of characters and their idiosyncrasies as they occur, so I can reproduce details as needed in the future. I do always know what the ending of the book is going to be and work to guide things in that direction, always considering a scene in terms of how it will advance me towards the end I want to happen.

Do you have a favourite of your characters/book?

One of my favourites has always been Dario, The Unseelie Beast, from Filigree and Fate, who makes appearances, or is mentioned in a couple of succeeding books. He was based on a definitive ‘bad boy’ image.

Do you have advice for aspiring writers?

Never give up. My motto for everything. Keep writing. Write anything. Write about things you find interesting. I found fairy tales interesting - ta da, I write paranormal romance. Like I mentioned earlier, I’ve been writing all of my life. Obviously, the early stuff was crap, but it matured with me. I’m also a prolific reader and I think that’s really important. You see good writers and bad. Some books are so bad I can’t even finish them, but you pick up style ideas, see grammar and editing issues, understand plot, and eventually think: I could have written that better. Don’t be afraid to pick a badly written book and privately rewrite it - but, ONLY for yourself and for practice purposes. Write fan fiction of books that you do like; quite a few series have authorised, published fan fiction. If you particularly like a character someone else has invented, come up with a similar one and write some adventures for them. If you’re a gardener, make up something to write about that involves gardening. Just write.

What are you currently reading/watching?

I’m currently reading … hmm. Oh yes: ‘How to Flirt with a Hellhound’ Book one of Hellhounds of Paradise Falls by Shannon Mae. It’s a spin off series from Demonic Disasters and Afterlife Adventures, which had 8 books. They’re all M/M romance, which doesn’t bother me. The author has a great imagination, her characters are real; I sometimes find her grammar a little bit in need of a polish, but there are many authors way worse. She’s American, which means, in terms of who, which and that, they’ve forgotten ‘who’ was ever invented and people are all ‘that’ - which, as a self confessed grammar cop, does drive me a little nuts. But, I just have to overlook it.

Tell us about your latest release?

My latest release. I have to confess it’s been two years, three (?) since that came out, but that’s because - to quote John Lennon: “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.” So, that latest release was in the Perfectly Paranormal Christmas Anthology and titled: ‘Mistletoe and Meddling’. I’m planning/hoping to release it individually for this Christmas, but refer John Lennon quote. Ha ha. The story is, as all of mine for the anthologies are, based in the Fae realms, and so, instead of Christmas, the celebration became Yule. I had a bit of fun looking up some Yule traditions and deciding what of those the Fae might use. The MC is Treymeron Aphiski, the younger brother in the Fae family I’ve been writing about in each of the previous novellas. He takes up a new job at Queen Dianathke’s Castle and has to help organise the Yule celebrations. Along the way, there’s adventure as the castle is attacked and of course, a romance that Trey never expected. This story is close to my heart because readers will pick up from events that Trey is autistic, as I and several members of my family are.

What can we expect from you in the future? 

I had completed three quarters of book five in the Fae series when John Lennon’s quote struck me down. Or rather, the vehicle I was driving got rear ended by another doing 80kph while mine was standing still. I suffered long term concussion and some trapped nerves in two places in my spine. The accident occurred whilst I was working on 3/1/2023, which is now 22 months ago, and I haven’t been able to return to work since. In fact, for a long time, the concussion turned me into a sort of zombie. I remember the first 3-4 months through a thick fog. I functioned on automatic pilot, up to a point, but my higher thinking brain was offline. My daughter was my lifeline the entire time (and still is). It wasn’t until one day something happened that meant both her children needed help at two different schools, at the same time, and she was like: gahhh. And suddenly a plan formed in my head. I, too, was on the accepted list at both schools, and I volunteered to help one of my grandchildren while she helped the other. After that my brain started on lining more often and my daughter was overjoyed as she later told me she’d been afraid I might never find my way out of the fog. 

So, as you can imagine, not just writing, but my entire life, came to a screeching halt, and when I did begin writing again I found that the long term concussion I’m still suffering from, had caused memory impairment. I went back to the novella, intending to finish it, but couldn’t remember half of what I’d written and became discouraged. Eventually, because I can’t not write, I started something else, which has turned out to be a shifter space romance, or something like that, for which I now have 80,000 words. I’m getting close to the finale, somewhere in the next 10,000, and then I’ve promised myself I’ll finish the Fae novella.

Hellucy Howe

Helen Lucy Howe is a bookworm who teethed on romantic fairy tales and went on to voraciously devour anything paranormal. She became a Professional Reader and a Closet Scribbler because who’d want to look at the mad ramblings of someone who hates getting dirt under her fingernails and thinks ironing was invented as a torture method?

Nowadays, Helen loves inventing paranormal and fantasy romance from the comfort of her cosy study, with a hot cup of tea beside her laptop and her little spaniel, Lexie, snoring at her feet. With her anthology contribution of Filigree and Fate, Helen has been dragged kicking and screaming from her closet and into the deer-in-headlights world of being a Real Author.  

hellucywrites.com