Read And Revel

Wildflower is coming out this soon! How does it feel? 

Surreal and scary, but so wonderful! It’s daunting. Humbling. And I’ll do it again! 😀 

How did you decide on Wildflower as your title?

Titles are really hard! I wanted a short name that was descriptive of either the plot or the characters. I played around with titles like ‘A Billionaire in a Mask’ and other titles that capture the tropes more, but I wanted something that meant more to me. Wildflowers bloom where they choose. They bloom through cracks in the asphalt if they have to. To me, it’s a strong and meaningful word, and it’s Rey, as well as Rey and Mark’s love.   

Can you tell me a secret about your book that no one else knows? 

In the very first draft, Rey was a single mum! But this became too convoluted, so after my first hook review by Cate Hogan and going through her feedback, I decided to simplify.  

How did you know that you wanted to write in this genre?

I love the escapism that a billionaire romance allows. I’ve read some discussions online whether it’s a cop-out because money can solve a lot of problems, but that doesn’t make for a good book. Sure, the money helps, but it’s still the relationships, the people, and their flaws and challenges that make the story. I love escapism romance, so even if it wasn’t billionaire I’d find another way for it to be different than regular life. 

How would you describe this book in 3 words?

Oh, tough one! First three words that come to mind are: uplifting, fun, sexy. After you’ve read it, you tell me your three words for it, please 🙂 

My words for it are: courageous, wild, spicy

Walk us through your process:

First idea: Do you remember the exact moment that you knew you wanted to write this story?

Not the exact moment, but it was almost two years ago I started thinking I really wanted to write a romance where you get the fun anonymous relationship like in the movie You’ve Got Mail, but spicy. So I had to think of ways they could meet without it being a bunch of coincidences (which is harder than it sounds).

Do you start with the character or plot first?

It’s a mix. For Wildflower I started with the micro trope and a feeling I wanted to recreate, and it spiralled out from there. Then I had to reel it back in. Lots of little bits come together–many small ideas and sparks; some turn into a fire, some fizzle out. 

Wildflower is my debut billionaire romance, but have started book 2 and that’s based on Aiden and the FMC, as well as the tropes that I love, and the feelings I want. And I’ve learned a lot from writing Wildflower so hopefully it will take less time and be more structured.

What is your method to outlining? 

Method? 😀 Just kidding. Well, it’s been a learning process, that’s for sure. I tried many methods when outlining Wildflower. Following Savannah Gilbo’s Romance outline as well as various other books (incl CS Lakin, Save the Cat writes a novel,  ++). I started with the idea and then tried to follow the advice I’d read around having their goals clear. I started writing, got it reviewed, re-wrote, more reviews and huge lessons learned (thank you, Cate Hogan!). It’s been a mix between plotting, pantsing and just a lot of failing and learning. 

The Process: What is your writing routine?

I have a full time job in IT, and two little boys, so it took a long time to find a routine. Finally I got into a groove writing in the evenings, but it was hard to find enough time. It took a couple of days off work and 12k words in a writing sprint to get me over the line in the end. I’ll need to do something similar for the next book. Trying to learn from Jesse Q. Sutanto; she shared her routine with followers on instagram and it’s a goal I know it’ll take me a long time to reach, but I’ll try to find what suits me. The dream would be to write full time but in the meantime it’s evenings and stolen moments.

What tech do you like to use? How do you set your environment up for writing?

I’ve used different tools to help—from post-its all over the wall, handwritten brainstorming charts, to lists in Excel and plotting in Plottr. In the end I got Scrivener and it saved me from losing the plot (pun intended, sorry!) 

I have Scrivener on the Mac and Word on my phone (this switching only works early in the process). 

Did you pull inspiration for your book from any real life experiences? 

There’ll always be a bit of me in the books. I never met someone exactly like Mark, or exactly like Rey, and I never had a billionaire CEO boyfriend, but there are elements of the people in the book that are inspired by people I know or myself. I met my husband in the office and we saw each other secretly for a while, so I’ll often draw on the tension, excitement, and constant adrenaline rushes from those days. There are other sources of inspiration I would only tell you over a glass of wine and not in writing 😉 But a lot of the emotion comes from a real place. 

Write what you know – what does that mean to you?

That means London. And it means office romance (as mentioned above), and tension. Butterflies. I’ve been in love and had crushes and heartaches, and some I remember so vividly, I can feel it in my gut when I think about it. 

What do you think your readers will take from your writing?

I hope they’ll feel something and be left with that tingle a fun, swoony romance gives you. I also hope someone will relate to my FMCs and their journeys, or that they’ll be inspired. That’s what my favourite romances do for me, in different ways they leave me with something that I’ll take with me forever. 

What motivates you to keep writing?

After many years in consulting and IT, I started writing after a friend of mine did and it inspired me. Having that hobby fueled me. Finally I had something that was mine. It used to just be me in London, work, my man, and then the kids. Now, this is my thing. This is me. I love it and I’ll keep writing even if it doesn’t become profitable.

Post writing: Why did you decide to go this way in publishing vs another?

Patience and control 🙂 I like to find my own way. Self-publishing allows me to do things at my pace, and I can focus on writing the next instead of spending my days querying myself into anxiety. 

What has been community (or online community) involvement in publishing and promoting?

For me, the self-publishing community has been key to getting to this stage. Learning what to do, what to read, how to approach things. The Self Publishing Show Facebook Group and podcast were fantastic, as well as other Facebook Groups, and indie authors on instagram. 

What comes next for you?

It depends on how the release of Wildflower goes. Writing book 2 while doing the promotion for Wildflower. Busy days! 

I want to write full time, forever. And the dream is a Netflix TV show of What Happens in Mayfair (manifesting! – if any agents see this, email me, hehe).

About your writing life: 

How many books have you written, including those that weren’t published (or haven’t been yet)?

I’ve written a lot that will never see the light of day. So many ideas that had to be tested out while I was finding my voice. The first long story I ever wrote, at the age of fourteen or so, was an action thriller (ish?). This was handwritten, maybe twenty-odd pages bound with thread. I think it’s still at my parents’ house! 

Why do you write?

It just can’t imagine not to, now. This is what I want to spend my days doing when I’m not with the family.

When did you realize you wanted to become an author?

It was always one of those far-fetched dreams. It wasn’t something I believed I could do. But when my second child was a newborn and I was a bit stuck, I started writing some memories out on my phone. When my friend quit her job in IT to write full time, I realised it could be a reality for me as well. 

What is the secret to being an author?

Motivation might be one thing. It’s hard work! Keep reading what you want to write. 

What is the hardest part about being an author?

The marketing. Selling myself and keep convincing myself that it’s good enough to shout about. And finding the time to do it all on top of the rest of life. I need to learn about ads now 🙂 

What would you tell a brand new writer?

For someone going the self-publishing route I say ‘learn’. Learn what you can about the industry. Understand the market you’re writing to. Find a good mentor and a community. There are so many groups on Facebook and very helpful people who will share their journey. But it doesn’t come easy. Some get lucky, but mostly it’s grit. And a good book, so keep writing 🙂 

How do you tackle diversity and inclusion in your work?

I want my books to feel inclusive and show that I believe the best world is one filled with lots of different people. I want to ensure I approach it correctly as well.

Are books still relevant in the modern world?

Books are timeless. Stories have been around since the dawn of man (humans, not just men), and they’ll be around forever. Even print books, just look at the shelves of BookTok! 😉

What is your favorite quote from another author?

“Instructions for living a life:

Pay attention.

Be astonished.

Tell about it.”

-Mary Oliver

What authors or books have inspired your writing journey?

Bridget Jones’s Diary and Pride and Prejudice for sure 🙂 but more recent are books by Rosa Lucas, Susie Tate, Elizabeth O’Roark, Abby Jimenez, TL Swan, Ali Hazelwood ++

And Want by Gillian Anderson 😉 

What book made you fall in love with reading?

There’s not only one book. I’ve been reading since I was five and a half. I would read anything, all the time. As a child I read so many serious books I used up the quota of books on war and cancer for a lifetime, so I started reading fantasy as a teen and escapist romance as an adult. 

What are you reading at the moment?

I’ve just finished Rae Ryder’s Worth Every Moment (loved it). And reading Rosa Lucas’ next book that’s coming out in January (LOVING IT). 

If you could have coffee with any author dead or alive who would it be?

Susie Tate, Sara Madderson, Tierney Page, and Rosa Lucas 

What’s something you’ve learned from researching for this book?

So much about video game development! And I dove into luxury London and learned about Martin Brudnizki (interior designer of Annabel’s London and other) and now I just want my house to look like that. 

What’s the weirdest thing you’ve had to Google for a book?

*checking search history * 

It’s a long history and filled with fantastic things my 5yo son asks (how many helium balloons would we need to float away a small dog – hypothetically, of course. The answer is 500)

Book related, here are three (maybe not weird but..): 

• Would bodyguards still wear the little ear thingies if they don’t have anyone to talk to
• How many words should a forum post be
• how do art and game designers in video game company work, do they draw and sketch and brainstorm and how do they collaborate

If you could spend a month writing anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Somewhere 23 degrees, a light breeze, quiet; just the sea, some birds, maybe crickets in the evening. Somewhere lush but magically no mosquitoes. If I could have everything my way, London and Paris would be really close by. 

Something you really want to write about is?

A second chance romance where she moves back home and gets the guy she once turned down. But that won’t fit into What Happens in Mayfair, I think (or maybe Elliott?), so we’ll see. But before that, you get Aiden and Sebastian’s stories which will be other topics I really want to write (won’t reveal yet).

Reality vs fiction – is art really crazier than life?

Honestly, life’s pretty wack. That’s why I prefer living in the romance worlds when I can. Although I will say I’m very lucky and grateful for what I have in my life, it’s just the world around us that’s gone tits up. Or was it always?

Cats or dogs? 

Cats

Coffee or tea? 

Coffee

Physical book or e-book? 

That’s a hard one. I love the smell of a physical book. And having it on my shelf. But it’s easier with my Kindle and KU, I can read in bed without a light on. I love going to bookstores to smell and touch books! That’s normal, right?

Thank you Eva Camden for doing this interview with me! If you’d like to find out more about her and her upcoming novel check her out at Instagram @EvaCamdenAuthor