Finding a Home in Rural Fiction: An Interview with Australian Author Nicole Hurley-Moore

Despite getting her start in the literary world with medieval fairytales, Australian author Nicole Hurley-Moore is now more well-known as an author of rural fiction. In this interview, we discuss her latest novel, The McCalister Legacy, how she plans her novels and where fans can connect with her at virtual events.

 

Congratulations on the release of your new book, The McCalister Legacy. How has it been received thus far?

I read some really encouraging comments from some of my readers, along with some lovely reviews so I thinks it’s going okay.

 

What was the inspiration behind the book?

Where I live is an old gold mining area from back in the day. The surrounding bush is still riddled with mine shafts, old quarries, quartz reefs and the foundations of long gone cottages. So I guess it was the local landscape that first sparked the story.

 

Were you nervous leading up to its release, given the current health crisis?

I’m always nervous leading up to a release of any of my books.

 

 

What do you want people to take away from reading your work?

I hope that they’ve connected with the characters and have had a taste of the Central Victorian countryside.

 

Can you talk me through your path to publication?

 

I wanted to write for a long time but I allowed self-doubt to get in my way. Early on, I had a couple of rejections, but instead of picking myself up and getting on with it, I didn’t write for a long time.

About eight years ago, I decided to give it another go. I also had discovered the Romance Writers of Australia which gave me support but also information about how to go about getting your work out there.

I was first published with a small American publisher (now defunct). They took my medieval stories/ fairy tales. As I said, they were a very small publisher, but very nice and I learnt a lot.

 

At that point I was still writing medieval based stories because … well, I love them. Then one day a scene popped into my head. It was two guys having an argument over a woman. I thought it was odd because it was contemporary and you know, I don’t write that. But the more I thought about the more developed the story became and I ended up writing it very quickly.

 

Once it was finished, I didn’t really know what to do with it but on a whim, I found an Australian Rural Romance Facebook group. At the top of the page was a post by an editor from Allen & Unwin asking for rural stories. I thought I’d give it a shot and sent my manuscript in. To my surprise they wanted it and that’s how my very first rural, McKellan’s Run was published.

 

Who are your idols, both professionally and personally?

Nora Robert because she’s so prolific and spins a wonderful story every single time.  Geoffrey Chaucer because he was so good at telling tales. Kevin Kwan and Jeannie Lin for writing fabulous, diverse stories in which I can see myself reflected and included (well, maybe not the ‘crazy rich’ part but you get what I mean).

 

You actually have a degree in medieval literature and wrote a few medieval fairytales. What made you switch to rural suspense?

 

I equally love both genres and feel that they are part of me. That being said, I enjoy writing rural suspense because I really love drawing on the landscape and what it’s like to live in a rural town. I grew up in the country and I enjoy sharing aspects of that with my readers, like the space, bush, big skies and endless paddocks.

 

 

Who are the authors that inspired you to write (particularly in this genre, and as a whole)?

Jane Austen… because she’s Jane Austen. Nora Roberts because she’s amazing at storytelling. Johanna Lindsey and Julie Garwood because they were the first ‘romance’ authors I ever read.

 

 

What is it about this genre that appeals to you so much?

One of the main reasons is that it gives the reader glimpses into rural life, and can be the Outback or the Central Victorian Highlands or anywhere else in between. Another reason is that I enjoy using the landscape as a character within the story.

 

 

Part of The McCalister Legacy deals with mental health and other “darker” themes. Why was it important for you to include this in your book?

Because mental health is a major factor in most people’s lives, and mental health issues in rural areas are often overlooked.

 

Is the writing process different for rural suspense versus medieval fairytales?

No, not really. My inspiration boards might look very different though.

 

Some might say that rural romance/rural suspense novels offer a great form of escapism. Do you think this is the case, particularly given the current health crisis?

When reality is dark, sometimes it’s good to read or watch something hopeful. Some may say that escapism is a bad thing and that we need to confront our reality. But I believe that it gives us a brief respite from the world around us, it fortifies our spirit and reminds us that there is always hope. A hope that things will turn out okay, a hope that we can get through this and a hope that things can get better.

 

 

How has the publishing industry changed over the years?

 

You no longer have to send your entire physical manuscript tied up with string over to England or the USA to a publisher – so that’s a bonus. But seriously, with the rise of Indie publishing and e-books it’s opened up options for both readers and writers.

 

Do you have any other creative outlets?

 

Yes, I paint watercolours and I like to cook.

 

What books did you read growing up that still resonate with you? Why those particular books?

As a child I read (still do today) world myths, legends, Grimm’s fairy tales, Chinese fairy tales. I loved The Owl Service by Alan Garner and The Earthsea Trilogy by Ursula Le Guin. As a teenager it was Pride and Prejudice, The Cousin from Fiji by Norman Lindsay and The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy.

Do you have any writing rituals you like to follow? Do you plan your books first, or just wait and see how it goes?

 

Once I get the initial idea, I’ll sit down and write a story-run (or at least that’s what I call it). Basically, it’s a rough plot line of the entire story. After that, I’ll focus on who the characters are and why they act the way they do. After that I’ll start building a story bible and then plot out the story chapter by chapter and act by act.

 

Even though aspects of the story can change as you write, I need some sort of map to follow where to go.

 

If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of writing advice, what would it be?

DON’T GIVE UP!!!!

 

Do you have any virtual events coming up that you’d like to mention?

I’ve done an online interview for Hawksbury City Library. And I’ll also be joining Victoria Purman and Claire Halliday for an online Stonnington Library event called Open Book –Life as a Romance Author on the 17/9/20 at 6.30pm. [Click here for tickets]

 

 

 

Particularly in these uncertain times, how important is it for you to maintain a strong social media presence and interact with your readers?

I think in times like these we all feel the need to be connected. As much as I’d love to go on a library tour and meet my readers in person, we can’t so it’s crucial to be able to chat and connect online.

 

 

If you could invite three people from history (living or dead) to dinner, who would you invite and why?

Oscar Wilde, Jane Austen and Geoffrey Chaucer – all for their witty conversation and the ability to tell a good story.

 

Do you have another project on the go? What’s next for you?

I’ve started another rural suspense and playing with a contemporary which is set in Melbourne. Okay, I may be toying with a medieval fantasy on the side as well.

 

The McCalister Legacy is out now through Allen & Unwin. To find out more about this title, or other books they publish, visit their website. For more information about Nicole Hurley-Moore, click here.

Don’t forget to read my review of Nicole Hurley-Moore’s latest book here!

 

This interview features as part of my Spotlight on Australian Authors series. Click the below image to find interviews or reviews you may have missed!