Let’s chat with Carolyn Miller, Aussie Christian Author
Carolyn Miller
“I like to write while the inspiration is there, and as I don’t plan too much, it can be a fun ride seeing where a story takes me.”
Q: How long have you been writing, and how did you get started?
I’ve been writing since 2010, when I was watching the closing ceremony of the Vancouver Winter Olympics and saw an Aussie female athlete holding hands with a North American guy as they entered the stadium. I was intrigued by how two athletes in high pressure sports could meet, let alone develop a relationship when they came from such different parts of the world, and when I couldn’t find out who they were I ‘made up’ their story. That became my book Love on Ice, and triggered my love for writing and storytelling. I’ve now written over 50 books, and have 40+ published, some of which have been translated into Dutch and German.
Q: What sort of books do you write, and why?
I love to read and write romance, because I’m fascinated by how people meet and fall in love and sustain relationships. I love to write books that offer hope and show how God is meant to be an intrinsic part of the world of Christians, which includes how we conduct relationships.
Q: Where do you get your ideas and inspiration?
Anything can inspire a story, as everyone has a story! So I pay attention to everything from news articles to conversations and anecdotes people share. I often find what I’m noticing tends to blend with things that God might be challenging me about too, so it’s interesting to see how these things can be woven together into a story.
Q: Who is your audience, and what sort of books would they already enjoy?
It’s interesting, because while the easy answer is ‘my audience is women aged 18-80 who love romance’ I’ve also had numbers of men tell me they’ve enjoyed my books, both the historicals and contemporaries. I’ve had people who have enjoyed Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer tell me they appreciate my Regency fiction, and those who enjoy sports romance tell me they enjoy the books in my Original Six and Northwest Ice series. Then readers who have enjoyed the Mitford small town series have enjoyed my books in the Muskoka Romance small town series, so really there’s something for everyone!
Q: Can you tell us about your research process?
Ooh, my research process depends a LOT on what type of book I’m writing. As an Aussie writer I thank God for the internet and the excellent tools it provides to discover everything from old English diaries and letters, such as those from Napoleon War-era soldiers I used in my Regency Wallflowers series, to watching ice hockey games and statistics that have proved useful in my hockey romance books. I’ve also been blessed with the opportunity to travel to a bunch of places I’ve written about, both in North America and the United Kingdom (and Australia), and I have pictures of some of these places on my website (www.carolynmillerauthor.com). There’s nothing like seeing a place first hand to get real inspiration and insight!
Q: What’s your writing process?
Writing is my fulltime job – I used to be a high school teacher but I much prefer dealing with fictional people. So I plan my year with the various writing projects so I have the mental space to write and release multiple books each year. When I’m in writing mode (and not just editing or marketing) I start writing when my youngest child goes to school for the day and aim for hourly word targets, and usually aim to have 5000 words written by the time he returns from school. This fast draft doesn’t have to have perfect words, just words I can edit later (because you can’t edit something you haven’t written).
I like to write while the inspiration is there, and as I don’t plan too much (I’m known as a ‘pantser’ – someone who writes by the seat of their pants) and I know my books always have the goal of a happily-ever-after, it can be a fun ride seeing where a story takes me. Once I finish, I’ll let it sit for a few weeks while I work on something else, then come back with ‘fresh eyes’ and begin editing.
This process has held me in good stead these past dozen years, so I’m happy to continue. I think it’s important for writers to carve out time to protect their head space so they can write the story when it’s ready to be written, but then apply ‘backside in seat’ mode to finish it. Plenty of people talk about wanting to write a book, but it takes determination to actually finish one. Then I always encourage people to go write the next one, as writing is like a muscle – the more you use it, the easier it becomes.
Q: What’s the book you’ve always wanted to write, but haven’t yet?
I have an idea for a dual-time book set in Victoria involving a lighthouse keeper’s daughter, but I’m yet to feel the wings of inspiration to truly put my mind to it yet. I’ve got a bunch of other books (and series!) to finish first!
Q: Which of your books is your favourite and why?
I’ve got a few favourites, because they’re different genres. I love my first Regency that was published, The Elusive Miss Ellison, which I wrote as a homage to Pride and Prejudice, with some Georgette Heyer wit and an unapologetic Christian thread too. I also love my contemporary book Muskoka Blue, which mirrors some of my own personal story, about someone trying to find their feet again after loss. Both books touch on serious topics but contain wit and humour too, which I enjoy. I feel like good banter is the salt that can bring a story to life, and I miss it when a book doesn’t have any – which is why all my books do!
Q: What do you want readers to know about Australian Christian writers?
There are many Aussie Christian writers writing in a variety of genres for readers both here in Australia and around the world. Give their books a go!
Carolyn Miller’s Website www.carolynmillerauthor.com
