Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m an Australian Air Force wife and mother of two. I write stories of dance, romance and military life including Don’t Mean a Thing, Catching Onix, Wife, Mother, Woman, and Best Friends for Now.
When I’m not devouring books, reviewing and blogging on HeySaidRenee, or writing my own stories, I can be found swing dancing. Or possibly napping.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
I usually write chick lit and women’s fiction but my latest book, Narrated by the Author, is non-fiction. It was inspired by my experience of narrating my own audiobook editions of Wife, Mother, Woman and Catching Onix. It is aimed at authors who are considering narrating their own audiobook and takes them through a step by step process from recording to editing to distribution.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I find big writing goals overwhelming so I set myself a small goal of writing 100 words per day which helps develop a regular writing habit. I also find that on bad days, I can still manage 100 words and on good days I easily surpass it.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I generally read 2 or 3 books per week so I struggle to narrow it down to a few books. Everything I read inspires me to some level.
I remember sitting on the floor in the second-hand bookshop when I was about 12 and rifling through the box of Sweet Dreams young adult romance books for the ones I hadn’t read yet. That series had a big part in developing my love of reading which then led to my interest in writing.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m finalising the audio edition of Narrated by the Author (I figured a book about making audiobooks should also be an audiobook) then I’ll dive back into the next book in the Got That Swing series, Tain’t What You Do. It’s a chick lit/sweet romance with a hero and heroine in the Australian Navy and lots of swing dancing.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I enjoy interacting with my readers on my Facebook page and I find my newsletter the best for promoting new releases and sales to my readers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Just keep writing a little bit every day. If you work on your story regularly, it will stay fresh in your mind and you won’t waste so much time re-reading everytime you sit down to write.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
When I decided to change the POV of my first novel, Don’t Mean a Thing, from third person to first person about halfway through the first draft, a writer friend told me to just keep writing from where I was up to in first person, then go back and change the first half once I was finished. That kept the story flowing and let me finish the first draft faster.
What are you reading now?
I just finished Those Other Women by Nicola Moriarty and now I’m halfway through the audiobook of Firefly Lane by Kristan Hannah.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ve published a children’s book, a short story, a collection of flash fiction and a novel. I’ve tried my hand (or should I say my voice) at narrating audiobooks. I am about to release a non-fiction book and have a novelette-length story under contract. I suppose I ought to round it all out with a novella – LOL (I have one plotted out to start once I finish the novel I’m in the middle of. I know I should focus on one thing, but so many shiny new projects pop up.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Probably the first few Games of Thrones books – there would be enough characters to keep me company for a while and enough pages to build a shelter if I got desperate.
Author Websites and Profiles
Renee Conoulty Website
Renee Conoulty Amazon Profile
Renee Conoulty Author Profile on Smashwords
Renee Conoulty’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
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