romance

  • Author interviews

    Jade May is empowering her readers

    This author of spicy contemporary romance is bringing pleasure out of the shadows.

    Jade May author

    Romance authors know all too well that writing about love and relationships will likely lead to a few dismissive remarks and suggestive comments. If your books rank on the higher end of the chilli-rating system, it’s a guarantee. But what these raised eyebrows and sleazy winks fail to acknowledge is the important role that the romance genre plays in making pleasure accessible.

    I was at the Romance Writers’ Association conference in 2024 when bestselling writing duo Christina Lauren gave a rousing speech on how writing and reading romance is a feminist act: one of liberation, body empowerment and inclusivity. Author Jade May’s approach to writing spicy romance fiction echoes that important message.

    Jade has Crohn’s disease, an autoimmune condition that not only flipped her world upside down, but disrupted her connection with her body and femininity. As she explains here, romance helped her find her way back to herself – and now she wants to help as many people as possible discover their own path to pleasure.

    “I hope my novels offer readers a much-needed escape – a safe, empowering space where they can explore desires, fantasies, and kinks without fear of judgment,” Jade says. “I want my stories to be part of that larger fictional world where self-discovery and sexual liberation are celebrated, not shamed.”

    I worked on the line and copyedit for the first two books in Jade’s Eden series – contemporary romances set in the high-stakes world of billionaires, starring strong, empowered women who work at a gentleman’s club called Eden. Yes, they’re seriously spicy, but they’re also funny, heartfelt, and deliciously propulsive.

    Here, Jade opens up about her journey to writing spicy romance, what makes a great spice scene, and why her stories are designed to empower readers.

    Jade, tell us a little bit about who you are and how you got into writing.

    I’m an Australian spicy romance author living in sunny Sydney with my husband and our little whirlwind of a son. By day, I run my own business, and by night – when I’m not dozing off in front of the TV – I’m weaving angsty, steamy love stories.

    I’m a Kindle junkie because, let’s face it, my tiny Sydney home doesn’t have room for a sprawling bookshelf. Dark romance is my favourite sub-genre, and I’ve always been a voracious reader.

    I started writing during the COVID lockdowns – a way to express my creativity into something meaningful. What started as a personal project has now become my greatest passion, and I couldn’t be more excited to share my stories with all of you

    How do you describe the stories you write?

    I’d describe my stories as contemporary spicy romance – steamy, emotional, and full of heart. While the heat level is definitely high (and the scenes can get quite explicit), I wouldn’t call them erotica. For me, the spice is never the main event; it’s there to enhance the storyline, deepen the characters’ connections, and add that extra spark. It’s all about finding the perfect balance between passion and plot.

    Tell us about your new release, Tempted by Eden, and the Eden series. What can readers expect from these stories?

    The Eden series centres around the strong, independent women who work at Eden, a luxurious, exclusive brothel where control and desire intertwine, and the rich and famous indulge in their wildest fantasies. But Eden isn’t just about steamy encounters; it’s a world where secrets unravel, boundaries are tested, and true selves are revealed. As they navigate complex relationships, power struggles, and personal growth, they discover their happily-ever-afters with their irresistible alpha men. It’s a series of passion, betrayal, forbidden love, and self-discovery.

    Tempted by Eden is the first book in this spicy interconnected standalone series, which releases on 19 February, 2025. It’s an enemies-to-lovers office romance with a touch of kink, a dash of angst, and an ending that will leave you swooning. Expect high heat, complex emotions, and kink-positive messages throughout the series.

    Eden is a world where secrets unravel, boundaries are tested, and true selves are revealed.

    Why were you drawn to writing spicy romance fiction?

    I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at thirteen – right at the threshold of teenage life, when so much of your identity is shaped by the experiences you share with others. I spent a large part of those formative years in hospital, missing out on milestones that most teenagers take for granted. But during those long hospital days, I found solace in reading. Back then, I was a fantasy enthusiast, losing myself in epic tales of dragons, vampires, and werewolves.

    As I got older, my tastes shifted toward romance – spicy, empowering, and unapologetically bold. These stories opened my eyes to the multifaceted power of womanhood – its beauty, messiness, and resilience. They gave me the courage to explore my own desires, understand what appealed to me sexually, and connect with my femininity in ways I’d never done before. Romance was the only genre I saw that was created by women, for women, with women placed unapologetically at the centre of the narrative and desire.

    Spicy romance stories gave me the courage to explore my own desires, understand what appealed to me sexually, and connect with my femininity in ways I’d never done before.

    Living with a chronic illness, I’ve often encountered the assumption that disabled people – whether their disabilities are visible or invisible – are somehow sexless or less-than. Romance fiction shattered that narrative for me. It reminded me that we all share the same desires, needs, and vulnerabilities, regardless of our physical limitations. That realisation was deeply empowering and gave me the confidence to embrace my identity fully.

    Writing romance became a natural evolution of that journey. I wanted to create stories that offered the same kind of escape and self-discovery that reading gave me. Through my books, I hope to provide a safe space for women to explore their own desires and fantasies without judgment – while celebrating the messy, beautiful complexities of life, love, and everything in between.

    While reading and writing spicy romances didn’t magically cure my health struggles, it gave me something equally valuable: a space to heal emotionally, rediscover my femininity, and feel truly seen.

    People often dismiss romance as a genre, particularly erotic fiction. What’s your response to those who see romance as less worthy than other genres?

    The numbers don’t lie – romance is one of the most profitable fiction genres, generating around $1.44 billion in sales annually in the US. Clearly, there’s a massive appetite for it, and for good reason. Romance provides an escape, a refuge in a world that often feels chaotic and challenging. It’s a genre that champions sexual liberation, self-discovery, and human connection.

    For me, writing Tempted by Eden was deeply inspired by themes of self-discovery, feminism, and sexual liberation. It’s my hope that my books not only entertain but also provide that same safe space for others to embrace every part of who they are. Romance is anything but “less worthy” – it’s transformative.

    Your books also explore themes around the stigma sex workers face, and even though your female characters play submissive roles with their partners, they are strong, independent women. Is it important to you as a writer to portray sex-positive and feminist characters?

    Absolutely. I aim to emphasise that submission in a relationship or in the bedroom is a choice – a consensual, empowering one – and it’s not a reflection of weakness or lack of independence. My female characters are strong, self-assured, and know exactly what they want. They communicate their needs, assert their desires, and actively participate in creating dynamics that work for them. In fact, in any submissive relationship, the submissive partner holds immense power because they set the boundaries and ensure they are respected.

    The most important takeaway I want readers to have is that kink, including BDSM, is a personal and erotic choice – one grounded in consent, trust, and mutual respect. There’s a misconception that engaging in BDSM, especially as a submissive, somehow negates your feminist values. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Feminism is about choice – the freedom to live authentically and pursue what fulfills you, whether that involves submitting to a partner in an intimate context or not.

    It’s also essential to highlight that submission is about communication, having your needs heard, and creating an environment where you feel safe and valued, regardless of your partner’s gender or identity. My stories aim to challenge the stigma surrounding these dynamics while celebrating empowered, sex-positive women navigating their own paths with confidence and agency.

    Let’s talk about the craft side of it: Your books have some seriously hot spice scenes, which is a real skill! Have you always been good at writing spice or did you have to work at it?

    Spice is definitely something that has come naturally to me – it’s like my comfort zone when writing. The emotions, the tension, the connection – it all flows so easily. Honestly, it’s everything else that takes work! Crafting a strong plot, developing complex characters, and ensuring all the threads come together seamlessly? That’s where I’ve put in the hours. But the spice? That’s where I get to let loose and have fun.

    Write from a place of genuine emotion and connection. Spice isn’t just about the physical – it’s about the tension, the longing, and the intimacy between the characters. Focus on how the scene propels the relationship forward.

    What advice would you give other authors for writing spice?

    I wish I could give a detailed roadmap for writing great spice, but for me, it’s something that flows naturally – I just sit down and let the words take over. That said, I do have to be in the right mindset for it. If I’m not in the mood, the spice won’t translate well on to the page, so I don’t force it. Sometimes, I avoid writing those scenes altogether during certain parts of the month when I’m not feeling it.

    If I had to give advice, I’d say this: write from a place of genuine emotion and connection. Spice isn’t just about the physical – it’s about the tension, the longing, and the intimacy between the characters. Focus on how the scene propels the relationship forward or reveals something new about the characters.

    Ultimately, the best spice comes when you’re enjoying the process. So set the mood, let go of any pressure, and write what feels authentic to your story.

    Tell me a bit about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine that you follow? How do you keep your ideas and words flowing?

    Honestly, this is something I’m still figuring out! I haven’t quite nailed down a writing routine that works perfectly for me. Up until now, my writing has fit in around my health, family, and business – they always come first. I’m currently experimenting with different approaches to see what sticks and what feels sustainable long-term.

    One of my biggest challenges is being a perfectionist. I constantly want to edit and refine as I go, which slows down my progress and sometimes keeps me stuck in the same place. This year, I’m trying something new: writing sprints and committing not to edit or rewrite until I’ve hit 20,000 words. It’s a way to let the story flow and keep myself moving forward.

    I think the key is to stay flexible and patient with yourself. Writing is a creative and personal process, and what works for one person might not work for another. It’s all about finding your rhythm and allowing yourself the grace to adjust as you go.

    What’s your favourite writing craft tip or mantra?

    My favourite writing mantra is: Don’t force it. If you’re not feeling it, step away. Writing when you’re uninspired often leads to work that doesn’t feel authentic – and more often than not, you’ll end up rewriting it later. Let the ideas come naturally, and when you’re in the right mindset, the words will flow and truly resonate on the page. Writing should feel like a connection, not a chore.

    I really enjoyed copyediting two of your books last year and especially loved the humour and depth you injected into your stories – the characters are really relatable and vibrant. You also have a great sense of how to pull readers through a book. How important is editing to your process?

    Thank you so much – you’re too kind! It’s funny you mention the humour because I never intentionally set out to inject it into my books, but it somehow sneaks in through my writing style. I guess it’s just a natural part of how I tell stories!

    Editing, though, is absolutely fundamental to my process – it’s where the magic really happens. I usually start with a first draft to get the story down, then move on to a second draft to polish and refine. After that, it’s off to developmental editing, where I make sure the structure and characters are as strong as they can be. Then comes another round of revisions, followed by line and copyediting to tighten the prose and perfect the details. Finally, I wrap it all up with proofreading to catch any lingering errors.

    Each stage of editing is critical, and I truly believe it’s what transforms a story into something special. It’s hard work, but seeing the final result – something I’m proud to share with readers – makes it all worth it.

    Can you tell us what you’re working on at the moment?

    Right now, I’m deep into the third book of the Eden series – but it’s all under wraps for now! I can’t share too much just yet, but what I can promise is the same signature mix of heat, emotion, and angst from my other books. Stay tuned – this one’s going to be worth the wait.

    Finally, where can we buy your books and follow your author journey?

    You can grab Tempted by Eden on Kindle Unlimited from 19 February. Seduced by Eden is available at all online retailers for pre-orders and will release on 21 May. After its release, it will move exclusively to Amazon – so don’t miss your chance to snag it on other platforms. For collectors, my special limited-edition foil hardbacks, printed in stunning full colour, are available on my website – they’re absolutely gorgeous!

    Stay connected and follow my author journey on Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Facebook: @authorjademay. Join my reader group, Jade May’s Manor, or sign up for my newsletter to stay in the loop and get exclusive updates.

    PS: Writers, if you’d like to chat about line and copyediting for your romance, drop me a line for a free sample edit and Zoom call.

  • Author interviews

    “I love to push limits in romance” – Natalie Murray on writing historical fiction, switching to contemporary romance, and how editing brings out her best

    Natalie Murray is an Australian author to watch. If you’re a fan of historical romance, you might already know her Emmie and the Tudor King series, which follows a young woman’s time slip into Tudor England and entanglement with a (fictional) fiery ruler. It’s swoon-worthy, passionate, transportive reading.

    Now, Natalie has returned to the present day with a contemporary romance novel set in Newcastle, NSW – where she now lives and where I grew up! – and I was so delighted to work with her on a structural edit for this manuscript late last year. Her best-friends-to-lovers story is heart-wrenching, funny and adorable in equal parts and I can’t wait till everyone else gets to read it too. In exciting news, that won’t be too long! Natalie’s contemporary romance has just been acquired by Allen & Unwin and is due to hit shelves in early 2024.

    Here, Natalie takes us through her journey from TV news reporter to author, the joys of writing both historical and contemporary fiction, her top advice for aspiring authors, and why the romance genre will always be her true love.

    Tell me about your journey to becoming an author. You have a background in journalism – what inspired you to make the leap to writing fiction? 

    I’ve always been a writer in some form, but until recently, it was only ever non-fiction. While I spent years writing news articles, business materials and blogs, I’d convinced myself I’d never attempt to write fiction, despite being a voracious reader. But when I was pregnant with my first child and at home feeling unwell, I began experimenting with writing short romance stories and immediately became hooked. When I published the stories online and received wonderful feedback from readers, I decided to try writing a full-length novel. I was watching the TV series The Tudors at the time, and having dreams about the Tudor period, so I decided to turn one of those dreams into a novel, which led to the first book in my Emmie and the Tudor King trilogy!

    Has your experience in writing for media helped you in writing books? Or is it an entirely different beast?

    I primarily worked as TV journalist, which requires you to ‘write to the pictures’ with as few words as possible – a very different process to describing a world for readers to imagine across tens of thousands of words. While plotting novels and character arcs bears little resemblance to anything I’ve worked on for the media, working as a journalist did teach me vital skills about the mechanics of writing and sentence structure and the importance of telling a good story and telling it quickly. So, there is probably more crossover than I think! Witnessing the idiosyncrasies of people and society as a reporter has also probably enriched my novels and characters in ways I don’t even realise.

    What do you love about writing love stories? 

    Oh gosh, what don’t I love! I’m an incurable romantic and never tire of perfecting a line of swoon-worthy dialogue or writing about the accidental brush of knuckles or the zing of a moment of direct eye contact. Every time I write a romance novel, I get to fall in love all over again, which is a high I’ll never stop chasing. While I’ve written fast-paced stories before with plenty of action, there’s something about the stillness of romance that I also love… of letting two characters shift into each other’s spaces and come to the realisation that each one is having a profound and life-changing impact on the other. It’s also great fun to write pages of romantic tension and then finally reach that explosive kiss or that confession that makes the reader’s heart beat harder. It’s also a genre that guarantees a happy and hopeful ending, so it feels like a safe space in which to escape.

    “Every time I write a romance novel, I get to fall in love all over again, which is a high I’ll never stop chasing.”

    Your first books are historical novels – what sparked your interest in Tudor England? 

    I’ve been captivated by the Tudor period for as long as I can remember, which is one of the most dramatic periods in British history. All you need to do is look at the Tudor family tree to see that this family was a hot mess of treason, love and betrayal. That said, I didn’t want to write another book about its established events or about Henry VIII’s wives or daughters. So, I decided to create a reimagined history in which Queen Elizabeth I married her rumoured lover Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, and they had a son, Nicholas Tudor. My muse for this fictional king was probably the real Henry VIII in his younger years, who was not only ridiculously smart and talented but – according to reports – a total hottie. He was more than six feet tall, athletic, and known to be extremely handsome. My King Nick is part young Henry: charismatic, clever, and fiery to the end. It’s a fun story to lose yourself in!

    What funny or surprising details did you unearth while researching the period?

    There were plenty of surprising and funny tidbits, but I remember being quite amused to discover that water was considered unhealthy in Tudor times, so most people drank ale all day to stay hydrated – or wine if you were rich. One would assume the Tudors were permanently tipsy! That said, drunkenness was not tolerated, and there were punishments for alcohol abuse. If you were drunk in public and making a nuisance of yourself, you could be forced to wear a beer barrel as a form of humiliation, which was known as a ‘drunkard’s cloak’. You would be made to parade around inside a huge, heavy barrel with holes cut out for your head, legs and arms.

    Your next book is a contemporary romance, which I was thrilled to work on recently. What was it like moving into the contemporary genre? Do you think you’ll stay in the here and now or will historical romance come calling again? 

    Some of the Emmie and the Tudor King series is set in the present day, so I’d already played in the contemporary landscape and thoroughly enjoyed it. I never actually intended to become a historical romance author: I wanted to write a novel set in Tudor England that had the feel of a contemporary romance (a bit like a novel version of the TV series Reign). I always planned to move into the contemporary space once I’d finished the Tudor series and believed it would be easier because there is much less research involved. However, I was wrong! The Tudor setting provided so much immediate ‘story’ to work with… joustings, feastings, dances, the royal court – even beheadings. Writing contemporary romance means I’ve had to come up with 90,000 words of story and complications without that initial material to bounce off. I’m still not sure which is easier!

    Give us a teaser – how would you describe your upcoming contemporary romance book?

    I’m so excited about my next novel, which is a best-friends-to-lovers contemporary romance set in Australia! It’s a swoony and angsty story about love and friendship, loss, and finding the courage to follow your heart, even if it means facing your biggest fears. While offering plenty of sizzling romantic chemistry and light moments, the book explores the impacts of trauma and health anxiety in the era of ‘Doctor Google’ – something I have personally battled. Best-friends-to-lovers is my absolute favourite romance trope, so I have always wanted to “give it a crack”, as we Aussies like to say. In this one, you can expect slow-burn tension, forced proximity, ice-cream kisses, cute texting, and swoony confessions. After writing three books set in Tudor England, it’s been a joy to write a story set in my own backyard. And I just adore the male lead in this book, Ryan James. He is such a sweetheart.

    I know you have a really detailed process when it comes to writing a novel. How essential is working with an editor to your process? 

    I can’t imagine completing a book without an editor. Every time I’ve revised a novel after receiving feedback from an editor, I’m blown away at the improvement, and I always end up turning around and blurting to my husband: “It’s absolutely amazing what editors can do!” No matter how much careful thought I put into each book, how much plotting, or frantic revisions, I can only take it so far without the expert eyes of an editor to lift it to the next level. After working on multiple drafts of a full-length novel, it’s also easy to lose sight of both the bigger picture and the very small things that an editor will spot immediately. 

    “Editors have given me so many invaluable insights, like how to get more out of a theme, how to optimise the structure to ensure the climax hits at the right time and with the right degree of gut punch, when to boost the tension and when to pull it back, and the importance of character consistency.”

    Can you share any insight into lessons you’ve learned from the editing experience?

    I’ve become better at guessing what editors are going to pick me up on, so I tend to clean those up as I write in the hope that, one day, an editor will say to me: “It’s perfect! You don’t need to change a thing!” (In my dreams, haha.) Editors have given me so many invaluable insights, like how to get more out of a theme, how to optimise the structure to ensure the climax hits at the right time and with the right degree of gut punch, when to boost the tension and when to pull it back, and the importance of character consistency (which can be a tricky thing to get right). Sometimes I tend to overwrite and be a little heavy-handed, and you, Penny, have been particularly wonderful at shaving off superfluous language. Overall, I’ve learned from working with an editor that no matter how polished a novel is, it can always be better.

    What writing or editing rules do you love to break? 

    I love to push limits in romance. The overwhelming majority of readers who loved the Emmie and the Tudor King series said they adored the lead male character, Nick Tudor, but a few readers have complained about his fiery, egotistical nature. But I was creating the character of a sixteenth-century Tudor king, and I wanted him to be authentic. So, I set out never to compromise on his personality or soften him to make him more palatable to a twenty-first-century audience. I also probably use too many adverbs and adjectives and insert a touch too much emotion into my writing at times, but that’s because these are things I love as a reader. My favourite author is Paullina Simons because she doesn’t hold back on angst and emotion. I love and need the ‘happily ever after’ in romance, but before I get there, I want to be kicked in the heart. Probably because it makes the make-up kiss that much sweeter!

    “I love and need the ‘happily ever after’ in romance, but before I get there, I want to be kicked in the heart. Probably because it makes the make-up kiss that much sweeter!”

    What advice can you offer other aspiring authors? 

    Still on editing, I think it’s important for aspiring authors to remember that editors are on your team. The first few editor comments you receive can feel like criticism, but it’s not in a disapproving way; it’s because they’re fighting for you to create the best story you can. On writing overall, my main advice to authors is to finish the damn book. When you start writing your first novel, it is far too easy to give up. It’s a tough, gruelling process that can take years, and when no one is paying you a cent, no one is reading a word of it, and the couch is whispering your name, the urge to just walk away can be overwhelming. But the only way a book is written is that it’s written… one word, one sentence, one day at a time. There’s no shortcut. But if you just keep going, you will reach the end, and then you’ll have a full draft to go back and begin editing, which is when the magic happens and the fun begins. So, don’t be discouraged if your first draft isn’t as polished as you’d imagined. My first drafts are almost unreadable. But just finish the damn book, and then you can go back and fix it, which is a deeply enjoyable part of the process and easier than writing that first draft. 

    That’s excellent advice and I couldn’t agree more! Finally, what’s next for you? What are you working on now? 

    I’ve just finished plotting my next Australian contemporary romance, which features the tropes of grumpy-meets-sunshine and fake dating (with a twist). I can’t wait to start writing it! And I’m hugely excited to have nearly finished my first contemporary romance co-written with US author Jenny Hickman, which is called Hating the Best Man, which will be out in spring 2023. Jenny and I have fantastic writing chemistry and the same taste in all things romance, and I can’t wait for us to work on more books together. This is only the beginning.

    For more about Natalie’s books, follow her on Instagram @nataliemurrayauthor or visit her website.

  • Author interviews

    “Don’t wait for the perfect conditions” – Clare Fletcher on building writing momentum

    There’s an iconic scene in Clare Fletcher’s debut novel Five Bush Weddings involving a steamy kiss and a thud as a meat pie drops to the ground, all but forgotten in the heat of the moment. 

    This hot/sweet/funny scene characterises Clare’s book, a rural rom-com that shakes off stereotypes to reveal a glimpse of modern life in the bush, with all its beauty, hardship and humour. It follows Stevie, a talented wedding photographer who captures a steady stream of rural romances through her lens but can’t seem to frame up her own happily ever after. Stevie is a hot mess and a hot item on the local gossip’s Bush Telegraph – and then her ex’s best friend, Johnno, reappears, reigniting old memories and confused feelings.

    I loved this book, not just because of Clare’s beautiful writing, but the way she threads real rural stories – the connection of country communities, the struggles farming families face trying to forge ahead in an ever-changing landscape – with the issues many women in their thirties grapple with, no matter where they’re from. It’s set between Brisbane and country Queensland, and Clare draws on her own background growing up in a regional town to fill the scenes and characters with authenticity.

    Clare is also a journalist so I was keen to hear if her day job helped her get the words for her first novel down on paper (yes and no!). Here, she shares her writing journey, her experience of being edited (not nearly as brutal as she expected), why playing team sport as an adult is a little like writing a book, and what readers can expect from her next…

    Congrats on the release of your first novel! I loved Five Bush Weddings and found it got me thinking about my own life journey, as Stevie grapples with her life decisions, a bad breakup and the pressure to settle down. What sparked the idea for the book? 

    I decided quite consciously to try to write a book, which had been a lifelong dream I’d spent three decades doing nothing about. When I decided to try writing a romance, thinking it would be quite formulaic, I wanted to explore that messy period in your early thirties when it feels like there are lots of conflicting expectations for women – have a brilliant career, get married to the perfect man, have babies, own a house, travel the world, be creatively and spiritually fulfilled. Very few people can knock all those off and if you haven’t done any of them, cue the soul-searching! And so many of those things are down to chance – I think we all have a beloved friend who just hasn’t met the right partner, through no fault of their own, but judgemental people can treat them like it’s a shortcoming or a character flaw that they’re single. Anyway, I liked the idea of a heroine who’s pretty great at her job but a bit aimless and hopeless at life, finding joy and purpose without needing a man to ‘fix’ her. A wedding photographer seemed like a great protagonist to explore different types of love as well as some fun parties!

    I love the way you portray rural Australia in the story. What was your aim in writing about the country? Were you hoping to give people a more informed glimpse?

    Growing up in a small town in regional Queensland is something I’m so proud of and grateful for, and this story is one big love letter to it. I’m a townie so I don’t have lived experience of working the land, but I’ve worked in small town pubs and restaurants and done peripheral farm jobs like cotton chipping, bug checking and grape picking! It feels like there’s a lot of rural-set crime fiction in Australia at the moment, so I wanted to try telling a more joyful story about country communities. And a lot of rural romance is understandably set in more idyllic locations – lush high country, wineries or vast stations – so I thought it would be fun to use the more prosaic settings of the places of my youth. I think there’s a real resilience and camaraderie, and a very unique sense of humour, that comes with the harsh unpredictability of living on the land. 

    How much of the story is based on your own experiences of living in the country and overseas? 

    All of Stevie’s terrible habits, many of her experiences at parties, and her memories of New York, are mine!

    Is it difficult to mine your own life experiences for art? 

    Actually, I think it can be too easy! Often I’d use a memory or an experience as a starting point to imagine a scene, and a lot of those very specific details remain in the final book. My sister told me the other day that everyone at home is speculating about who the Bush Telegraph is based on – that’s the trouble with having recognisable details, sometimes people forget the characters are fictional (I swear)!

    Tell me about your journey to becoming an author. When did you start writing fiction and why? 

    I’d always loved creative writing as a kid but it never felt like a realistic career path, so I didn’t dedicate much time to it after university. I think I had grown a bit depressed that I was ignoring this thing I’d always wanted to do, so I decided I had to give it a proper try. Weirdly, it was starting to play team sport in my mid-30s that got the ball rolling – it was a great reminder that the world won’t end if you’re bad at something, it can still be fun even if you suck, and that you can see improvement when you keep trying. Even getting into running was a great lesson in the way small, regular increments can add up to a big achievement. So I signed up to do the Year of the Novel course at Writing NSW in 2019. I don’t think anyone needs to study writing to start a book, but I knew I needed external accountability and structure. I didn’t finish the book in that year but it was exactly what I needed, and also helped me connect with fellow writers as well as a teacher who would go on to become my mentor. 

    “It was starting to play team sport in my mid-30s that got the ball rolling – it was a great reminder that the world won’t end if you’re bad at something, it can still be fun even if you suck, and that you can see improvement when you keep trying.”

    What about the nuts and bolts of writing a novel. Did your background as a journalist help? 

    It’s just chipping away over time. Journalism has made me very lazy without a pressing deadline, so it was a real mind-shift to keep working on this manuscript no one might ever read. There were weeks and months when I didn’t write, which can be something we gloss over when we’re telling the neat story of how a book gets written, but at a certain point you find you’ve invested so much in the characters that you need to finish it. Journalistic training has given me an appreciation for clarity in writing, some skills in observation, and maybe all those hours of transcribing interviews helped with writing dialogue!

    How long did it take to write Five Bush Weddings?

    It was a bit less than 18 months to finish the first draft. I was working full time, and pregnant for the last stretch! That ended up being the deadline I needed – imminent labour. While I was on parental leave, I worked with a mentor to refine the manuscript to submit to agents. Once I found my agent, it took a few months to lock in a publisher; and once the contract was signed it was less than a year to publication. So in all it was about three-and-a-half years, from starting to publication.

    How did you find the editing process? Scary, empowering, fun?

    This is where I think I was lucky to have worked in journalistic editorial, because I knew what to expect somewhat. I was absolutely packing it waiting for my structural edit, but book editors are much more gentle with you than a newspaper or magazine editor! I couldn’t believe the way my copy editor explained every suggested change, and offered lots of kind compliments to offset the constructive criticism (this is professionally known as the ‘shit sandwich’ or ‘compliment lasagne’). At the end of the day, editing is about making a piece of writing the best it can be, and making sure nothing stands in the reader’s way of enjoying the story. Suggested changes aren’t personal, you’re on the same team, and as the author you always have the right to accept or reject a change 

    “At the end of the day, editing is about making a piece of writing the best it can be, and making sure nothing stands in the reader’s way of enjoying the story.”

    Can you share any insight into lessons you learned from the experience? 

    My publisher (Nikki Christer) did my structural edit and that was a great learning experience. When she suggested my main character was a bit unlikeable, at first I freaked out, thinking it would be a huge job to rework her. But Nikki helped me see that a few simple scenes building Stevie’s relationship with her mum and her best friend could do a lot of heavy lifting to show why these people stick with Stevie even when she’s not making great decisions. Nikki also told me to go back and read Bridget Jones’ Diary and I think that can be really helpful, revisiting a touchstone book when you’re struggling with something.

    What writing/editing rules do you love to break? 

    ‘Show don’t tell’ is good advice a lot of the time, but sometimes we go too far in that direction when a bit of exposition can be much more efficient! I just bloody love words so I probably pepper in way too many adverbs (Kurt Vonnegut would never) and description… but that stuff is so pleasurable for me to write, I hope it’s enjoyable for readers, too.

    What advice would you give other aspiring authors?

    Don’t wait for the perfect conditions, the perfect idea or some arbitrary skill level to get started. Once you’re writing you’ll learn so much as you go. I think women in particular are often waiting for permission or over-qualification to start writing and sometimes you just have to ask yourself – would a mediocre white man hesitate in this situation?

    What’s next for you? What are you working on now? 

    I am getting close to my submission deadline for the second book in my contract. Obviously it’s an immense privilege to be contracted but it’s also done my head in a bit – working with very different expectations to the first time around. This new story will be in the same universe as Five Bush Weddings, with different main characters. There’s a historical timeline thread as well as the present day. Deb balls, beauty pageants, a collection of vintage dresses and women’s rugby – a weird cocktail!

    Pick up a copy of Five Bush Weddings here and find out more about Clare (and sign up for her excellent newsletter) here.

  • Author interviews, Editing, Writing

    “I like to make people laugh, but I also want to make them feel” – Karina May on writing rom-coms, travelling for inspiration and dirty first drafts

    Debut author Karina May was born to write rom-coms. She’s the kind of funny that leaves you gasping for air, and her sharp observations have a way of injecting life into tired romance tropes.

    Karina’s first novel, Under the Influence, will be released on 1 September under the HarperCollins imprint Escape. It follows banker Louise Lane and philanthropist Blake Goldfield as they grapple with their unravelling lives, the weight of society’s expectations and their unlikely attraction as their paths cross in flashy Sydney and beautiful Peru. 

    I’m so excited for the launch of this book, not only because I got to work on it at both structural and line-editing stages, but because I know exactly how much dedication and determination has gone into this incredible achievement.

    I met Karina when we were both working as editorial assistants for a niche publisher of craft magazines. Back then, our biggest creative hurdle was coming up with headlines for articles about sewing techniques and scrapbooking tools. It was seriously tough work and whenever we were stumped, our foolproof formula was to simply add ‘-tastic’ to the topic of choice. Tassel-tastic! Cushion-tastic! Quilt-tastic! I’m happy to say our standards have lifted significantly since then. 

    While I stayed in magazines, Karina was savvy enough to opt out of the declining industry early, moving into the booming world of digital marketing. She kept her creative muscle flexed writing rom-coms for fun, and here we are! Under the Influence is out now and Karina has another two novels in the works for next year (more on that below).

    I used my considerable influence with Karina to ask her about her journey to published author, her writing routine and, of course, how she feels about the editing process. 

    Cover of Under the Influence by Karina May

    Your first book, Under The Influence, is out on 1 September. Congratulations! How long have you been dreaming of this moment? 

    Thank you! I think I’ve dreamt of this moment for as long as I’ve been writing creatively – around 10 years or so! Like so many of us do, I changed the goal posts almost as soon as I started. Initially, I was writing a book just for fun – to see if I could actually do it … but that quickly changed to wanting to get it published!

    Can you give us a rundown of your journey to becoming a published author? When and why did you start writing?

    I have a background in journalism and studied communications at uni so I’ve always loved writing. My first couple of jobs were in magazines, writing articles. When I was growing up I actually wanted to be a foreign correspondent. I did a uni placement at an English broadsheet in Bangkok and quickly realised that a foreign correspondent was not the same as a Getaway reporter (LOL), so I ditched my Catriona Rowntree fantasies and went into magazines. I wrote non-fiction stories exclusively for years until the unfortunate decline of magazines pushed me to re-skill in digital. Once I wasn’t writing as much in my day job I found myself with a bit of an itch to scratch. I’ve always enjoyed being a storyteller, so I started jotting down funny anecdotes – mainly dating stories – then tried to string them together to make a book. Note: this is not how you write a book! 

    Writing a novel around a full-time job is no easy task. How do you juggle your fiction writing with your day-to-day life? Can you share any tips for being consistent with a writing routine?

    For sure! When I first started writing I was working in a pretty demanding full-time job. I wrote in the evenings as a bit of an outlet, and on some weekends. Now, I’m lucky enough to work for myself as a freelancer so I can choose my hours (to a degree). I’m someone who can’t really write in short bursts so I typically structure my week around writing blocks – at least one or two hours. I normally write first thing – which is a big change to how I started – as I’m less likely to skip the writing this way. My client/paid work has to get done, so I know that I’ll get to it after writing and I’m normally happier once I have some words down, too. So my main tip is, writing first! Even if that is before the sun is up (vom).

    Travel is a big theme in your work. What role does travelling play in your creative process? 

    It plays a massive role. My writing ideas are mostly sparked by being in new environments. My senses and observational skills are heightened and the juices start flowing! It could be an experience, a conversation, or even a look that gets the imagination going. It’s almost like when I’m away, I give myself permission to play – I’m now doing my best to give myself the same permission slip when I’m home. It’s about harnessing that ex-pat mentality and curiosity in everyday life. 

    I know you’re a fan of writing getaways – I’m always jealous to see you writing in beautiful locations! Where, apart from Sydney, did you pen Under the Influence?

    Oh yes, I’ve lost count of the number of writing getaways I’ve done (so very lucky!) I actually started writing Under the Influence in Berlin in late 2019. I was there for six weeks and wrote the first 30,000 words in my studio apartment in Kreuzberg and in surrounding cafes. The rest of the novel was written during Covid time. Between lockdowns, I managed to escape to Patonga on NSW’s Central Coast with my amazing writing pal, JoJo Swords, for some editing. Editing can be very painful so I like having a change of scenery (and a buddy).

    “The main thing I love about the editing process is help with identifying my blind spots”

    Speaking of editing, I’m lucky to have worked with you on a few manuscripts now, and I know you’ve worked with other editors and beta readers too. What do you find most helpful about the editing process? 

    Gosh, I’m so lucky to have you edit my books. You make them exponentially better! I think the main thing I love about the editing process is help with identifying my blind spots. By the time I’m done, I’m normally so close to the story that I can’t see the wood for the trees. It’s so helpful having expert assistance to suggest which parts of the story need attention and why. I think the why is just as important, as I’m not going to make any changes unless I truly believe it’s going to better the story. 

    How important is it to you to get that outside perspective when you’re shaping your story? 

    It’s imperative. I think it’s helpful to get the advice of an expert editor to help with the technical elements, like ways to raise the stakes, and a handful of trusted beta readers to tell you in non-technical terms what they love and what might not be working as well. Once you have multiple opinions you can identify trends. If everyone is saying the same thing it’s hard to ignore! 

    What writing or editing rule do you love to break? 

    Haha, I love this. Apart from thinking punctuation is entirely optional (sorry, Penny!), maybe the rule that you should write a dirty first draft. I’m not someone who can get my thoughts down fast. I am certainly of the school of thought that you can’t edit a blank document, but I’m also cautious about making more work for myself by writing too much nonsense. I don’t make myself write every day, so if I’m writing rubbish I won’t persist. I personally like to write a pretty clean first draft. I write leanly, then add.

    What do you want Karina May books to be known for? 

    Oh, that’s a tricky one. I’ve been told that my stories are ‘lively’ – I think that means that I have big plots with big characters. I like to make people laugh with my writing, but I also want to make people feel. To make big feelings, ideas and themes more accessible by delivering them in a palatable way. Palatable? I’m not sure I would buy something marketed as palatable, so let’s go with spunky. I also want my books to just be a bit of fun! I have so much fun writing them – especially the travel aspect – so I want people to have fun reading them!

    What advice would you give aspiring writers hoping to follow in your footsteps?

    Seek out expert advice! Whether that’s a course at the Australian Writers Centre (where I did the Write Your Novel six-month course, twice!) or listening to writing podcasts (my current faves are The First Time pod, Talking Aussie Books and Writes4Women), and when the time is right, engage a professional editor like Penny! [Ed’s note: I did not pay her to say that!] Not only does being tapped into the writing community provide you with support and accountability to help you stay motivated, it will set you up with the foundations you need to create a manuscript worthy of publication. And, read lots! Everyone says this – because it’s true. Reading widely will help your writing, and it’s also useful for staying on top of trends and understanding where your manuscript fits in the market.

    And finally… when can we expect the next Karina May story?!

    Ooh, 2023 is going to be very exciting! I recently signed a two-book deal with Pan Macmillan, so I’ll have new books out in March and December next year. I’m also going to start work on my fourth book. I have an idea for the one after that too, so for the moment it’s writing, writing and more writing!

    You can pick up Karina’s delightful debut Under the Influence here or follow her on Instagram @karinamaywrite