Write What You Know: An Interview with Aussie Rural Romance Author Maya Linnell

 

Following on from the success of her debut novel, Wildflower Ridge, Australian rural romance author Maya Linnell returns with Bottlebrush Creek, which sees readers return to the world of her beloved McIntyre sisters, but could also be read as a stand-alone novel to appeal to new fans.

When she’s not writing, Linnell can be found in the kitchen baking up a storm. But luckily for me, she took time out of her busy schedule to talk about how she draws inspiration from her day-to-day life, whether the McIntyre sisters will appear in future books and what appeals to her most about writing rural romances.

Congratulations on the release of your new rural romance novel, Bottlebrush Creek. How has it been received thus far?

Thanks Jackie, it’s been a wonderful few weeks since Bottlebrush Creek hit the shelves on June 2! I’ve set my second book in south west Victoria, close to where I live along the coast, and it’s pure escapism with plenty of on-farm drama, a major renovation, cheeky calves, troublesome tradies, a family dairy farm and a meddling mother-in-law.

 

The book is technically a sequel to your first novel, Wildflower Ridge, but it could also be read as a stand-alone novel as well. Why did you decide to take this approach, rather than continuing Penny’s story?

I wanted to keep it stand-alone so people could read my books in any order. Bottlebrush Creek focuses on the youngest McIntyre sister Angie – a bubbly beautician who loves baking – and her partner Rob Jones. The couple have a young daughter Claudia and tackle a fixer-upper project that puts their relationship to the ultimate test. Readers have contacted me to say they’re thrilled to revisit their favourite characters from my debut rural romance Wildflower Ridge and meet new friends too, so I think that approach has worked well for me and readers alike.

 

Do you intend to feature any more side characters in future books?

Absolutely! I’m currently rereading the first draft of my 2021 release, which tells Lara’s story and her project to save the Bridgefield General Store. It doesn’t yet have a title, but it’s lovely to dive into her world. Lara had a pretty rough trot in Wildflower Ridge, and was quite a polarising character. I really hope I have the chance to tell Diana’s story in 2022.

Were you nervous leading up to its release, given the success of Wildflower Ridge?

It was so lovely to see Wildflower Ridge find a place in the hearts of so many readers, especially making the Better Reading Top 100 and shortlisting with the ARRA awards. This strong support and momentum generated much interest ahead of Angie’s story. I must admit to holding my breath as the early review copies of Bottlebrush Creek went out. Thankfully, it’s been very well received, with many five-star reviews that’ve made me dance around the kitchen!

 

Can you talk me through your path to publication? How did it differ from the first-time round?

I negotiated a two-book contract with Allen & Unwin in 2018, so fortunately I didn’t need to do any negotiating this time around, and it was a very straightforward process.

 

I read that this story was partly inspired by your own renovation project, something which features heavily in Bottlebrush Creek. Is real life something that usually inspires your work?

It certainly does, Jackie. I can’t help but write what I know, so many of the scenes have snippets of my everyday life or memories from growing up in country SA, from the smell of rain on the dry paddocks to the magpie’s dawn chorus and the atmosphere of market day at the cattle sales. The renovation sub-plot was an easy choice for Bottlebrush Creek.

I wrote the manuscript just after we’d finished an epic three-year owner builder project (handmade bricks and all), and I was well aware of the hard yards, conflict, drama and joy involved in taking on a building project with the man you love. I think many people can relate to living through a renovation, and it was a lot of fun throwing challenges in Angie and Rob’s path.

You also have your own property to run, as well as writing for Romance Writers Australia. How do you balance those obligations with your writing?

It’s never dull around here, that’s for sure! We have cattle and chickens on our small property, and I’m currently campaigning to add another trio of piglets and a small flock of sheep to our menagerie. We also have pets and three kids, so I write when the children are at school, squeeze blogging/socials/website/farm/garden/home stuff in after I’ve gotten my words down for the day, and my husband and I tackle bigger jobs around the property after hours and on weekends. Last weekend for example we were on the tractor tidying up around the old dairy, pulling out boxthorn and thorny sod apple, fixing fences, the kids were building their own bonfires and we made another big batch of sourdough bread.

 

You used to be a journalist and PR consultant. How did this experience influence your fiction writing, if at all?

It’s been such a handy background. My job as a journalist at a small twice-weekly newspaper provided a wealth of inspiration for conflicts and characters, so I’ll never be short of stories to tell. It was also a great grounding on the technical side of writing, teaching me how to pull together a story, and daily opportunities to work with words and deadlines. The PR side has also been invaluable for helping promote my novel, alongside the fab publicity folks at Allen & Unwin.

 

Did your approach for writing Bottlebrush Creek differ much from the process you used when writing Wildflower Ridge? How does that process differ when you’re writing as a journalist?
Journalism is a lot shorter, sharper and shinier and I was always mindful of accuracy and deadlines. I have more freedom with fiction writing although I need to be disciplined about getting words down regularly, as I have a publishing contract to honour and readers who are already champing at the bit for book three. In terms of the process between book one and two, I feel I followed a pretty similar approach to writing both novels – planning, writing, revising and then revising plenty more before sending to my beta readers and another round of my own edits before sending to the publisher.

 

Who are your idols, both professionally and personally?

I look up to people who are authentic, driven, kind and positive, like Elizabeth Gilbert, Michelle Obama and Jacinda Arden.

 

What appeals to you most about rural romance fiction?

RuRo is such a great fit for me as a reader and a writer. I’ve always been a country girl, keen on telling the stories of rural people. What’s not to love about escaping into a book where days are spent in wide open paddocks, driving down quiet country roads, handling animals, producing food for the nation, and working with the seasons? And I think there’s something so special about guaranteeing readers a happily ever after, especially when there’s so much uncertainty in these everchanging times.

 

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

Marian Keyes, Rachael Treasure, Rachael Johns, Tricia Stringer, Cathryn Hein, Victoria Purman, Fiona Lowe, Alli Sinclair, Barbara Hannay, Alissa Callen, Karly Lane, Fleur McDonald. So many wonderful authors and mentors!

If you were to write in another genre of fiction, what would it be?

Possibly cozy mysteries, but I think I’ll be sticking with rural romance for quite some time yet!

 

You also enjoy baking. Do you have any other creative outlets?
I LOVE baking – especially sweet things like chocolate self-saucing pudding and biscuits! On any given weekend you might find me sewing (I’m keen to whip up another ruffly apron), gardening (my dahlia patch and rose bushes are quite spoilt), jigsaw puzzles and I’m trying my hardest to learn the piano, which is a looooong process.

 

What books did you read growing up that still resonate with you? Why those particular books?
I was always a bookworm as a kid. I loved Enid Blyton, Nancy Drew, Judy Blume, Agatha Christie, the Babysitters Club, Anne of Green Gables and Sweet Valley Twins. They were the ones most readily available in our small school library and I’ve taken great joy in raising three little bookworms too.

 

Do you have any writing rituals you like to follow?

Hot tea and sitting down at my desk by 9am always makes for a good start!

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

Keep writing, you have a world of wonderful things ahead!

 

Presumably a lot of your promotional events have been cancelled or postponed due to the current health crisis. How has this impacted you and the promotion of your book, if at all?

Yes! I had events lined up from May to September, including panel events at Clunes BookTown Festival (Vic), The Romance Writers Australia conference (WA), Koorliny Arts Centre (WA), the Success Library (WA), the Northern Beaches Readers Festival (NSW) plus extensive events in bookstores and libraries across Victoria, SA, NSW, Queensland and WA. I’ve moved several of these events online and hopefully I’ll be able to do an in-person book tour in 2021.

 

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

More important than ever. I really enjoy taking photos and sharing our country lifestyle and all things writing, baking gardening with my friends on Instagram and Facebook, and I think it’s a fantastic way to connect with readers and likeminded people.

 

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

My maternal grandparents – Tony and Dareen – just so I could hear their Derbyshire accents and their laughter one more time, and introduce them to the great-grandchildren they never had a chance to meet. I’d have to invite my Mum too, because I know she still misses them a great deal too.

 

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

I’m working on my 2021 release (Lara’s story) and brainstorming ideas for my 2022 rural romance (Diana’s story).

Bottlebrush Creek is out now through Allen & Unwin. Follow Maya on Instagram and Facebook (@maya.linnell.writes) for updates on her upcoming books and events!

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This interview is part of my ‘Spotlight on Australian Authors’ series. If you’ve missed one, click the below image.

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