Hi guys!
Happy Tuesday!
How has the start of your week gone? I’m actually writing this in advance because I have quite a chill weekend and I wanted to get some stuff done in advance of my Uni work this week. So I hope the start of my week has been going well too haha.
Anyway! Today we have super exciting post! I have recently read 2 books by the amazing Rae Kennedy thanks to Netgalley and I adored them both! (To be Your Last Review + To be Your Only Review) So, I decided to take a chance and reach back out to her and see if she would be interested in doing a interview and luckily she was! She was super nice so as always a massive thank you again to her agreeing to answer my questions, so please show her lots of love! Anyway, this has been by far enough rambling from me, I will just get on with the Q&A!
*As always my comments are in italics
Firstly, can you tell us a little about yourself and how you started writing?
I started writing quite by accident. I’ve always been a creative and artistic person, I love to create. But I was pretty serious and focused in school on pursuing architecture and design and never thought much about writing even though I’ve always enjoyed it. After I graduated college I had more time for personal hobbies and I really got into reading romance. Eventually, story ideas just started coming to me and I decided to try and write one. So I did. I didn’t have any expectations going into it, it was just for fun. But then I sort of fell in love with the process and my characters and decided to start publishing.
What was your favourite book to write and why?
Out of the four books I’ve written, To Be Your Last was probably the most fun to write. I think I just really enjoyed the premise, the tropes, the characters (Colin, OMG) and the fun summer vibes.
*I loved Colin so I totally get why he would make you choose that one haha
Who is your favourite character you’ve written and why?
Kyla from TBYO has been hands down my favorite character to write. She’s just so fun and quirky and hilarious and I love that she has no filter and gives no fucks. Writing her inner thoughts and dialogue was sometimes challenging because she is just so EXTRA, but I really love her personality and how distinct her voice is.
After reading To Be Your Only, I loved Kyla as a character because I related to her a lot because of her lack of direction in life and her inability to stop her word-vomit. Did you base her character on anyone or is she an amalgamation of people?
She’s not based on anyone in particular. At first, she was just Gracie’s outrageous friend in TBYL but I loved her so much I had to give her her own book. Honestly, her ridiculous run-on thoughts and wackiness are closer to how my mind works that I’d like to admit, but I’m better at keeping those thoughts in me head haha.
How do you keep/get inspired when starting something new or are having writer’s block?
That’s a tough one. I’m currently in a little bit of a writing funk at the moment trying to figure out which story to go with next. I think I’m mostly inspired by music and then once I know the characters, I have to fall in love with them. My love for them is what makes them come alive on the page and wanting to give them their HEA and let others meet them is what keeps me going to finish their story.
I am personally inspired by my surroundings (especially for me as Scotland is so beautiful) – is it the same for yourself?
I find myself inspired by so many things for my stories. Often it’s music, either for a little plot bunny or just an overall vibe. I’m inspired by reading and different tropes I want to explore and see how I can put my own spin on it. Sometimes it’s a setting I imagine, or a person, or just a feeling I want to convey. It’s hard to explain.
I actually wanted to be an architect for a long time when I was still in denial about my love for books and writing, much like yourself, any tips for people who are struggling with a similar thing?
I wish I had something profound to say. It’s important to find something that brings you joy and fulfills you, but also don’t stress if you don’t know what that is yet. It takes some people longer to figure out what really makes them happy. Also, don’t worry that it has to look a certain way or live up to anyone else’s expectations. Sometimes that thing is a career, but it could also be a hobby or a side hustle or the people you spend time with. Everyone’s path is unique to them, their desires, and their experiences. But when you find something that truly brings you joy, don’t let go of it, work for it, it’s worth it.
*I have to say that I think that is quite profound whether you meant it or not haha
What is your favourite food?
Oh man, can I just say carbs? I’m a sucker for pasta in any kind of cream sauce. And Bread. And cheese.
Favourite Movie?
Probably the 2005 Pride and Prejudice, I could watch that movie on repeat infinitely.
Favourite book other than your own?
This is a hard one, I read so many books and I don’t think I have a favorite, but Punk 57 by Penelope Douglas might be the book I’ve reread the most.
Other than writing and presumably reading, do you have my other hobbies?
I do! I enjoy drawing and painting. I also love baking and interior design.
As a student myself, what was your favourite subject when you were younger and what do you study now?
Definitely art. Always.
Who would you say was your biggest writing (and non-writing) inspiration when you were younger?
I really didn’t have a writer inspiration when I was younger, sadly. I was always inspired, though, by how the romance genre was dominated by women and was also the most successful.
My non-writing inspiration growing up was probably my mom. She was a single mom and was so devoted to me and my sister. She would also take us to the library almost every weekend and began my love for books.
If you could say anything to your younger self what would it be?
Girl, drink more water
*My GOD does my current self need to hear this right now hahaha!
Are you working on anything right now?
I am working on a story I’m hoping will be a duet I release in the fall of this year, but so far the writing is going really slow, so I may end up changing to a new story idea. Either way I’m aiming to have something new out by the fall of 2021.
And finally can you please tell readers how best to contact you?
They can reach me at my email – raekennedystudio@gmail.com or send messages to me through my author facebook, instagram, or on goodreads, I do try to check my messages regularly.
So that’s it for today’s post! I hope you all really enjoyed this because I always love doing interviews! It’s so fun to see inside a writer’s head and how they feel about their characters. Now I am on the edge of my seat for Fall (potentially 😉 ) If you want more author interviews leave some suggestions for people down below and I’ll see what I can do 😉
I hope that your week is magical and I will see you all on Wednesday for my Word of the Week! ❤
Hawthorn Book Reviews 
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