LOOK WHO'S TALKING

You’ve said your imagination is always tuned to the next story idea. Has storytelling always felt like part of who you are? I’ve always been an avid reader. Often, as I’m reading, I wonder “What if the story twisted this way instead?” So even when I’m reading someone else’s story, my brain is in the story creation mode.

You grew up a Georgia Belle and now call Melbourne home. How has that big life shift influenced your writing and your walk with God?

1. You began writing part-time in 2014 and stepped into full-time writing in 2021. What changed during that season, both practically and spiritually? In June 2014, we were in a tough spot. I wanted to escape from it and started with a nice (unrealistic!) world with cute characters — no flaws, ha-ha!

What inspired you to pursue your dream of writing a novel during the 2020 lockdown, and how did that moment shape your writing approach today? The 2020 lockdown was a strange pause in the busyness of life. For me, it became a sacred space to reflect, grieve, and listen.

What inspired you to pursue your dream of writing a novel during the 2020 lockdown, and how did that moment shape your writing approach today? The 2020 lockdown was a strange pause in the busyness of life. For me, it became a sacred space to reflect, grieve, and listen.

What inspired you to pursue your dream of writing a novel during the 2020 lockdown, and how did that moment shape your writing approach today? The 2020 lockdown was a strange pause in the busyness of life. For me, it became a sacred space to reflect, grieve, and listen.

What inspired you to pursue your dream of writing a novel during the 2020 lockdown, and how did that moment shape your writing approach today? The 2020 lockdown was a strange pause in the busyness of life. For me, it became a sacred space to reflect, grieve, and listen.

What inspired you to pursue your dream of writing a novel during the 2020 lockdown, and how did that moment shape your writing approach today? The 2020 lockdown was a strange pause in the busyness of life. For me, it became a sacred space to reflect, grieve, and listen.

What inspired you to pursue your dream of writing a novel during the 2020 lockdown, and how did that moment shape your writing approach today? The 2020 lockdown was a strange pause in the busyness of life. For me, it became a sacred space to reflect, grieve, and listen.

1. What inspired you to start writing, and how have your life experiences shaped your writing? I’ve kept journals for most of my adult...

What is your favourite genre to write and why? Well, this has changed over the years! I started off writing romance, and loved it.

What inspired you to combine elements of faith with romance and women’s fiction in your writing? I actually didn’t start out combining faith with my stories.

Go behind the scenes of Deryn's latest book, The Singer and the Story.

1. How has your journey of faith influenced your decision to become a writer? I never intended to become a writer...

1. How do you blend romance and suspense in a way that keeps readers both emotionally engaged and on the edge of their seats?

1. What inspired you to write across such varied genres — southern historical, contemporary young adult, and sweet romance? I’m a...

1 How has your faith shaped your writing journey, and how does it shine through in Shades of Autumn? Click to read Caroline's answer...

1. What was the most surprising thing you discovered about yourself while writing this book? Click to read on...

In this blog I had the great privilege of interviewing my friend, author Anna Jensen, who also took on the role of project manager for...

I’ve been blessed with an awesome team, from my beta readers and editor, to my pre-launch reviewers. Add to this my project manager,...

Author Stephen King probably best sums up the manuscript self-editing process: “Kill your darlings, kill your darlings, even when it...

I feel it’s important to point out that none of the characters that appear in Under Construction is based on specific people, dead or...

Choosing a location for Under Construction was probably the simplest thing in the book-writing process. I have lived in the beautiful...

Together with developing a rock-solid plot and creating relatable characters, building an environment for the story to take place, is an...

“How do you find the time to write?” is a question I’m often asked. There is no pat answer. I would be lying if I said I carve out...

There is a general assumption (exclude most writers and content creators here) that if you can write a story, you can then write business co

Meet author Allyson Koekhoven as she discusses the upcoming release of her debut novel