One of RWA’s youngest members, Whitney has achieved her dream of becoming a published author at a young age. Her debut novel, What Happens in Ireland, reflects her fascination with all things Irish. Welcome, Whitney, and thanks for treading the boards with us today!
1. Are you inspired most by places, people or experiences and how do these work their way into your writing?
I think it all comes together really. The idea for my Irish series came from the planning of my own trip to Ireland. I was heading over there with my best friends and in the process of watching out the two year period until we could finally make the dream a reality, I wrote a story for each of us. Of course, none of my characters are us, but their personalities are based on ours and that made it really easy for me to flesh my characters out. When I finally made it to Ireland of course, my stories changed. Having dangled over the side of Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney stone (not that I needed to :P), explored the Ring of Kerry on horseback and walked through the streets of Dublin at night, myself, really helped me to solidify the atmosphere I hoped to find in Ireland. Ireland is a magical place and I guess when I wrote my stories, I hoped that my time there would be just as wonderful as it was for my heroine, Kate. J
2. Please share one of your favourite moments of inspiration with us.
To be honest, there were so many moments. It was as if I’d predicted my stay (not the romance of course, though I wouldn’t have minded meeting Jack O’Reilly in a Dublin bar), through my novel. In fact, I think every day was an inspiration. Getting soaked to the bone when it rained unexpectedly in Belfast, hanging over the side of Blarney Castle, singing along with the locals in the Killarney Grand and Temple Bar. They were all moments which inspired me and really influenced my story.
3. How did you come up with the idea of What Happens in Ireland?
Haha, gosh… I don’t know. It was a little like when the story first appeared in my head. I was on the bus and Bam, there it was. The final chapter. It was actually the first chapter I wrote. And then it came again. The title. I’m a spur of the moment kind of writer. I plan, but I try not to deviate too much from the original. I think you write in the moment and that is an act of fate. J
4. How do you come up with your characters’ names?
I’ve always loved the name Kate. And well, Jack just became Jack. I didn’t search for names, they just popped up in my head.
5. Who would you cast for a movie/TV series as your main characters if given the chance?
If I was going for my favourite actor, I’d say Gerard Butler. But Jack’s not quite Gerard. He’s more of a cross between Ryan Gosling and Colin Farrel. So probably one of them.
Haha, funny how I started with Jack… Truth is, I wish I was Kate. Though I’d probably give him an easier time than Kate did.
As for Kate… I’m not sure. Maybe Scarlet Johansen? Just because I love her haha.
6. If you could pick a soundtrack to match your main character’s life, what would it be?
I’m not sure it suits their life, but ‘Shut your eyes’ by Snow Patrol was the song I always listened to when I was planning and writing. I must have listened to it and a few other songs by them a billion times!
7. What is your favourite holiday?
Saint Patrick’s day of course! Haha, no, I’ll be honest, it’s actually my second favourite. I love Christmas as it brings my family together and we all have such a great time.
8. How many times were you turned down before you finally got published?
It was funny, I received a fair few rejections. I’m not sure how many exactly as I didn’t choose to dwell on them. But I also received two re-write and resubmit requests and some fabulous rejections which encouraged me to submit the rest of my work, though unfortunately, this story wasn’t what they were looking for.
And then I found a home with Secret Cravings Publishing. J
9. What is your favorite book of all time that you can reread a hundred times, and it still feels like the first time?
I sort of have authors I do that with. I love all of Eloisa James novels and I’m a big fan of Rachael Treasure. I’ve re-read a lot of their books and probably always will.
10. What do you need to set the mood for you to write?
I like to play music and generally, I do need to be in a mood. I need to have a clear head, unless of course, it’s full of the makings of a scene. J
11. If there is one genre that you have not written in yet, but would love to try writing a book in that specific genre, what would it be?
I have plans to write a few Historicals. I love them! Judith McNaught is one of my big inspirations as well and I’d love to write novels like hers one day.
12. How many blurbs did you have to write before the final one?
Ha! Too many. The changing of one word did so much. And with only 150 words to use, you have to get it right.
13. If you could bring one of your characters to life, who would it be? And why?
Jack. I think I might have already answered this question lol. He’d the love of my life. His only competition is his brother, William. And why? Tall, dark and sexy Irishman who is cheeky-by-nature. Why not is the real question, if you ask me hehe.
14. What are you working on now?
Edits! I’m currently editing two of my manuscripts, the second in my Irish series and a Rural Romance set in Australia.
15. Would you like to share an excerpt from your writing or a photo or music link that inspires you?
This is the Ha’Penny Bridge in Dublin. It inspired the ending of my novel. I’m no photographer, but I can assure you, there is something magical about watching the sunset from the Ha’Penny Bridge.
16. Please share your favourite cocktail recipe or celebration photo.
I love Toblerones.
Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
60ml Baileys
60ml Kahlua
60ml Frangelico
60ml crème de cacao
600ml carton pouring cream
2 cups ice
Honey to drizzle
Chopped, roasted almonds
Toblerone shavings
METHOD
First, decorate the glass by drizzling with 1 teaspoon of honey then add one teaspoon of Toblerone shavings into your glass. Shake glass around so that the chocolate sticks to honey.
Next, pour in the alcohols, cream and ice into a blender and blend until combined. Then just pour into your glasses, decorate with shavings and almonds and enjoy!
Whitney’s Novel:
Ever wondered what happens in Ireland?
When Australian, Kate Barrow, meets a handsome Irishman in a Dublin bar, she has no idea that he’s about to turn her world upside-down and inside-out.
In Ireland to take on a position on a thoroughbred stud, Kate is shocked when her manager-in-co reveals himself to be the same man she’d met in Dublin.
Jack is drawn to Kate. The problem is, she won't have him. But Jack has always loved a challenge and the intriguing woman from Oz is one he cannot resist.
Harbouring the sting of another man’s betrayal, Kate is certain she wants nothing to do with love and nothing to do with Jack O’Reilly. But when naked torsos, Mother Nature and dysfunctional umbrellas start plotting against her resolve, she realizes the charms of an Irishman are going to be hard to resist.
The Author:
Whitney K-E is an Australian author writing for Secret Cravings Publishing. Always a lover of the Romance genre, it was no surprise that she one day began to type her first story of love. Now, three years on, she’s contracted her first novel What Happens in Ireland and bringing reader’s tales from the Emerald Ireland to the Sunburnt Country. What Happens in Ireland releases on the 26th of April, so prepare yourself to be charmed by her story and by her characters.
If you’d like to find out more about Whitney or her novel, you can connect with her on:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Whitney-K-E-Romance-Author/311522372250495
Twitter: @whitney_ke - https://twitter.com/Whitney_KE
Her blog: http://whitneyk-e.blogspot.com.au/
And the Romantic Muse: http://theromanticmuse.blogspot.com.au/
1. Are you inspired most by places, people or experiences and how do these work their way into your writing?
I think it all comes together really. The idea for my Irish series came from the planning of my own trip to Ireland. I was heading over there with my best friends and in the process of watching out the two year period until we could finally make the dream a reality, I wrote a story for each of us. Of course, none of my characters are us, but their personalities are based on ours and that made it really easy for me to flesh my characters out. When I finally made it to Ireland of course, my stories changed. Having dangled over the side of Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney stone (not that I needed to :P), explored the Ring of Kerry on horseback and walked through the streets of Dublin at night, myself, really helped me to solidify the atmosphere I hoped to find in Ireland. Ireland is a magical place and I guess when I wrote my stories, I hoped that my time there would be just as wonderful as it was for my heroine, Kate. J
2. Please share one of your favourite moments of inspiration with us.
To be honest, there were so many moments. It was as if I’d predicted my stay (not the romance of course, though I wouldn’t have minded meeting Jack O’Reilly in a Dublin bar), through my novel. In fact, I think every day was an inspiration. Getting soaked to the bone when it rained unexpectedly in Belfast, hanging over the side of Blarney Castle, singing along with the locals in the Killarney Grand and Temple Bar. They were all moments which inspired me and really influenced my story.
3. How did you come up with the idea of What Happens in Ireland?
Haha, gosh… I don’t know. It was a little like when the story first appeared in my head. I was on the bus and Bam, there it was. The final chapter. It was actually the first chapter I wrote. And then it came again. The title. I’m a spur of the moment kind of writer. I plan, but I try not to deviate too much from the original. I think you write in the moment and that is an act of fate. J
4. How do you come up with your characters’ names?
I’ve always loved the name Kate. And well, Jack just became Jack. I didn’t search for names, they just popped up in my head.
5. Who would you cast for a movie/TV series as your main characters if given the chance?
If I was going for my favourite actor, I’d say Gerard Butler. But Jack’s not quite Gerard. He’s more of a cross between Ryan Gosling and Colin Farrel. So probably one of them.
Haha, funny how I started with Jack… Truth is, I wish I was Kate. Though I’d probably give him an easier time than Kate did.
As for Kate… I’m not sure. Maybe Scarlet Johansen? Just because I love her haha.
6. If you could pick a soundtrack to match your main character’s life, what would it be?
I’m not sure it suits their life, but ‘Shut your eyes’ by Snow Patrol was the song I always listened to when I was planning and writing. I must have listened to it and a few other songs by them a billion times!
7. What is your favourite holiday?
Saint Patrick’s day of course! Haha, no, I’ll be honest, it’s actually my second favourite. I love Christmas as it brings my family together and we all have such a great time.
8. How many times were you turned down before you finally got published?
It was funny, I received a fair few rejections. I’m not sure how many exactly as I didn’t choose to dwell on them. But I also received two re-write and resubmit requests and some fabulous rejections which encouraged me to submit the rest of my work, though unfortunately, this story wasn’t what they were looking for.
And then I found a home with Secret Cravings Publishing. J
9. What is your favorite book of all time that you can reread a hundred times, and it still feels like the first time?
I sort of have authors I do that with. I love all of Eloisa James novels and I’m a big fan of Rachael Treasure. I’ve re-read a lot of their books and probably always will.
10. What do you need to set the mood for you to write?
I like to play music and generally, I do need to be in a mood. I need to have a clear head, unless of course, it’s full of the makings of a scene. J
11. If there is one genre that you have not written in yet, but would love to try writing a book in that specific genre, what would it be?
I have plans to write a few Historicals. I love them! Judith McNaught is one of my big inspirations as well and I’d love to write novels like hers one day.
12. How many blurbs did you have to write before the final one?
Ha! Too many. The changing of one word did so much. And with only 150 words to use, you have to get it right.
13. If you could bring one of your characters to life, who would it be? And why?
Jack. I think I might have already answered this question lol. He’d the love of my life. His only competition is his brother, William. And why? Tall, dark and sexy Irishman who is cheeky-by-nature. Why not is the real question, if you ask me hehe.
14. What are you working on now?
Edits! I’m currently editing two of my manuscripts, the second in my Irish series and a Rural Romance set in Australia.
15. Would you like to share an excerpt from your writing or a photo or music link that inspires you?
This is the Ha’Penny Bridge in Dublin. It inspired the ending of my novel. I’m no photographer, but I can assure you, there is something magical about watching the sunset from the Ha’Penny Bridge.
16. Please share your favourite cocktail recipe or celebration photo.
I love Toblerones.
Here’s the recipe:
Ingredients:
60ml Baileys
60ml Kahlua
60ml Frangelico
60ml crème de cacao
600ml carton pouring cream
2 cups ice
Honey to drizzle
Chopped, roasted almonds
Toblerone shavings
METHOD
First, decorate the glass by drizzling with 1 teaspoon of honey then add one teaspoon of Toblerone shavings into your glass. Shake glass around so that the chocolate sticks to honey.
Next, pour in the alcohols, cream and ice into a blender and blend until combined. Then just pour into your glasses, decorate with shavings and almonds and enjoy!
Whitney’s Novel:
Ever wondered what happens in Ireland?
When Australian, Kate Barrow, meets a handsome Irishman in a Dublin bar, she has no idea that he’s about to turn her world upside-down and inside-out.
In Ireland to take on a position on a thoroughbred stud, Kate is shocked when her manager-in-co reveals himself to be the same man she’d met in Dublin.
Jack is drawn to Kate. The problem is, she won't have him. But Jack has always loved a challenge and the intriguing woman from Oz is one he cannot resist.
Harbouring the sting of another man’s betrayal, Kate is certain she wants nothing to do with love and nothing to do with Jack O’Reilly. But when naked torsos, Mother Nature and dysfunctional umbrellas start plotting against her resolve, she realizes the charms of an Irishman are going to be hard to resist.
The Author:
Whitney K-E is an Australian author writing for Secret Cravings Publishing. Always a lover of the Romance genre, it was no surprise that she one day began to type her first story of love. Now, three years on, she’s contracted her first novel What Happens in Ireland and bringing reader’s tales from the Emerald Ireland to the Sunburnt Country. What Happens in Ireland releases on the 26th of April, so prepare yourself to be charmed by her story and by her characters.
If you’d like to find out more about Whitney or her novel, you can connect with her on:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Whitney-K-E-Romance-Author/311522372250495
Twitter: @whitney_ke - https://twitter.com/Whitney_KE
Her blog: http://whitneyk-e.blogspot.com.au/
And the Romantic Muse: http://theromanticmuse.blogspot.com.au/
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