Interview
I sat down the other day to answer some questions I got a few weeks back.
Interview Questions
Please introduce yourself:
Bonjour/Hi! I’m Aveline. I write spicy romcoms from my home in Québec.
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I wanted to be a writer at about 11 or 12. After reading a dramatic romance called Nine Coaches Waiting. I was so taken by the story and the brooding hero that I continued the story in my head all summer. I just didn’t think I could write until I was 26 or 27. I assumed I was better at science and math. xox
How long does it take you to write a book?
It takes me a long time to write a book. The whole process about a year and a half. I write in spurts and get a lot of words done in a short period of time but then don’t write for months. I also get stuck in editing for about 6-9 months. I know a lot of authors that have mastered this process more efficiently but I haven’t been able to yet.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing?
When I’m writing my draft I become obsessed with it. So I wake up, write and then write at any moment during the day. It usually gives me terrible headaches from looking at the screen and not sleeping well.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I need to eat crunchy foods while writing spicy scenes. I don’t know why. I should probably speak to my therapist about that. 😂
How do books get published?
It’s a more complicated process than I expected. In theory easy. You type, open up an Amazon KDP account and press publish. But in reality much more nuanced and complex. If anyone needs help I’m always open to talking more about that.
Where do your get your information or ideas for your books?
My ideas usually come from cities I’ve visited and experiences I’ve had. They then generate a feeling or emotion and I work around that. I have the good fortune to be someone that people like to open up to and include in their lives. And while those are their stories, it usually leads to some kind of inspiration. Being opened minded in life, to life is helpful.
When did you write your first book and how old were you?
I wrote my first children’s book at 5 or 6. Illustrated and all. A story about how a hummingbird got its ruby throat. After that it was a long while before I wrote my first full novel draft at 26 or 27.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I have kids, so they take up a lot of my time. Travelling to new places, spending time in the woods at my cabin. I’m in Canada so we’re fortunate to have lots of nature around us. I love romance and sharing that with someone is pretty special as well.
What does your family think of your writing?
They love my children’s books, which are published under another name. They don’t know about my novels. I told myself if ever I sold 10k copies then I would tell them. That’s my goal!
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
Writing requires a lot of research, in everything from how a shirt button is sewn to how a tire blows. But the most surprising thing I learned is that some people like to live in the same stories in my head as I do.
How many books have you written? Which is your favourite?
I’ve written about a dozen drafts. Published 4 children’s books and 2 novels. My favourite novel so far is the last one that came out. How Do You Say Boyfriend In French. It was so much fun to write, I laughed, cried, got rilled up while writing it. It’s a good balance of things I enjoy about writing, and to be fair, life!
Do you have any suggestions to help me become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Don’t hold back. Especially not on your draft. The first draft is best when you let go, of every fear, of every preconception, or every thing you “think” you should be doing. It should come completely from your gut with as little input from your logical brain as possible.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
So far I’ve had lovely messages from my readers. They say leave me comments while reading my books sometimes on my Instagram which are quite funny. And I’ve met some awesome new friends this way. BW: “Also this opener, I mean come on woman, are you trying to make me explode.” and “I can't imagine him looking up like this at me (Renaud on his knees), because it sounds like it would break a normal woman.”
