Interview with Leanne Lovegrove - author of ‘Her Outback Home’
Interview with Leanne Lovegrove – author of Her Outback Home
Novel available now! Check it out on Amazon.
My review of Her Outback Home
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Greetings, Leanne, and welcome to my website as guest author!
Thank you so much Cindy for interviewing me and asking these wonderful questions!
Please provide the inspiration behind Her Outback Home and a brief overview of the story?
I had been thinking for some time about an environmental story about one character loving their natural environment and being closely tied to it, and the other in opposition and trying to destroy it, but of course, they were attracted to each other. I thought that made wonderful conflict. At first I intended to set the story around the Milford Track in NZ, and my husband and I had planned our hike and were actively training for more than six months to prepare. Then the track was flooded and parts washed away in 2019 and then Covid hit in 2020 and our travel plans were thwarted. Instead, we drove to Carnarvon Gorge with the idea that it might be the perfect location for the story in my head and, turned out it was!
Her Outback Home is that story – a feisty environmentalist versus big city developer set in the gorgeous Central Qld spot of Carnarvon Gorge.
How is the setting of Carnarvon Gorge important in the telling of Her Outback Home?
Very important because the environment plays an important role in the book. Hannah, my female protagonist deeply cares for the environment and works and lives amongst it, it is her greatest passion. I really do love a beautiful setting in my stories and this is a very special part of Qld.
Her Outback Home is told from three perspectives? Who are the voices and what are the benefits with this approach?
In romance I think it tells a better story if we can hear from and understand the point of view of both the female and male characters. Plus, I love the idea of secrets and how our past can affect our futures and to deliver that part of the story I included the voice of Hannah’s mother to keep the reader intrigued and drip feed the past into the present story.
If you could be one of the characters in Her Outback Home, who would it be and why?
I love Hannah’s passion for life and her deep commitment to the environment. I admire that sort of passion enormously. But I also love the free spirit that Davey is and how deeply he loves others and life.
What is the main theme or message of Her Outback Home you hope your readers see?
I simply hope that they enjoy the story, that it makes them feel something and lets them escape their real lives for a short period of time. If they haven’t been to Carnarvon Gorge, then I also hope that this part of the world interests them and they think about the environment and their impact on the world as they read.
What three words would you use to describe Hannah and also Jackson. Plus, a couple of lines about their relationship.
Hannah – feisty, committed and determined
Jackson – loyal, hardworking and unfulfilled
Their relationship was such fun to write, it was a real love/hate scenario that provided such fodder for writing.
Which scene was the most challenging to write and why?
The first chapter! Always so hard and I agonise over it so much!
You address Postnatal Depression through Hannah’s mother. Can you share a bit about that and its effects?
I have no personal experience of post-natal depression and had to do my research. I wanted to address it as a sometimes unknown and undiagnosed condition that many women suffer from.
You presented some impressive ideas in how to develope an Eco-friendly business. Did you acquire these concepts from research or were they from your own imagination?
Both! I had to do my research and it turns out there are quite a few businesses taking these approaches and adopting these measures and how fantastic is that! It was also a bit of dreaming on my behalf.
Tell us about your writing and publication journey? Your highest and lowest points?
The whole writing experience is filled with highs and lows. Such a journey. The support and encouragement of other writers is such a bonus and seeing readers embrace any of my stories gives me such joy. I love these really clever reviewers who post such beautiful pics of the book. Really does make my day.
Have you always wanted to be a writer or was it something you fell into later in life?
I have always been a voracious reader and lover of books, words and writing. I thought about writing for many years before tackling the challenge and didn’t build the confidence to do that until later in life. So glad I did!
What usually comes first for you: the plot or characters in a story?
The characters and setting always come first, but then the tiniest of concepts about plot develop. I am character driven so my characters will drive the entire story and idea.
Who is the author in your genre you most admire and how have they inspired you?
Gosh, there are so many but I have to say Annie Seaton who has been something of a mentor and sounding board to me and is my editor. Right back with my first book, Unexpected Delivery, she believed in me and encouraged me and without her, I don’t think I would have had the confidence to publish my books. She is very successful and hard-working and I admire her greatly.
Please provide the titles of your three favourite novels you have read so far in 2022?
I’m going to say four – and it’s not lost on me that these are mainly historical!
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
The Little Wartime Library by Kate Thompson
The Girls of Lake Evelyn by Averil Kenny
Horse by Geraldine Brooks
What activities do you like to engage in while taking a break from writing to recharge?
I love walking and walk as many times a week as possible. And if given the chance, I love walking in the bush or on the beach. I’m also a very bad runner, but I try hard! I’ve always enjoyed travelling but that has slowed down in recent years, but I have just been to WA and hope to do some more travel soon. Spending time with my family, and of course, reading. I read every day.
Are you working on any new writing project and, if so, can you share about it?
I am working on two series. This is new for me. The first is a little different and I hope readers will come along for the ride. During Covid, I dreamed of travel and escaping and turned to those sorts of stories in my reading. I wanted to write something completely escapist and in an exotic location, nowhere near where I live or the usual places I go. So, I wrote a story set in Spain at the most gorgeous medieval beachside town that I visited a few years back. It’s glamorous story with a millionaire and expensive jewellery but with connections to Australia. I have since written 2 more similar books in these exotic overseas locations, with lots of romance, of course. Book number 4 is in the works too.
The other series relates to my small town of Bellethorpe that readers might have visited in my novella in the anthology, Love in a Sunburnt Land 2. That is the story of Caleb and Bridie, but I have a whole series planned around this town and I can’t wait to introduce you to them.
Thanks to Leanne for being my guest today! Visit her website for more information.
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