This week our feature on author is on Australian author, Rania Battany. She's here answering questions as well as telling us about her new book, Fleeting Moments.
Rania Battany lives with her husband and three
children in the beautiful Yarra Ranges, Victoria, Australia. When she isn’t
getting her hands dirty in the garden, frolicking with her chickens or dog, or
chasing after her three young children, she is writing contemporary romance
novels that tug at the heartstrings or curled up with a cup of tea and a book.
Rania Battany on the web:
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Do you think someone could be a writer if
they don’t feel emotion strongly?
I think anyone can be a writer. The magic of writing
is in the description, and I don’t think you necessarily have needed to
experience what you are writing about to describe it properly. A little
research and some understanding of the psychology behind human emotion will
help with that.
What other authors are you friends with,
and how do they help you become a better writer?
I have made a connection with many writers through the
RWA and learning about their projects and goals is a constant source of motivation.
There is nothing like reading to develop the craft of writing and being
surrounded by an amazing group of romance authors is a huge advantage. I am
also a member of a writers’ group at my local library. While I’m the only
romance writer in the group, it’s so lovely to catch up with others who share
the same interest.
Do you want each book to stand on its own,
or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
I much prefer to write stand-alone books because
that’s what I enjoy reading. However, I have realised that my readers enjoy
books that are connected. At the moment I have two stand-alone contemporary
romance novels, but I am exploring the possibility of a spin-off novella from
my first book, “This is Kaylah”.
Tell us a bit about your book...
FLEETING MOMENTS is a
tender and heart-wrenching exploration of the difficulty in dealing with grief
and loss. A few days before her thirtieth birthday, Maya’s long-term boyfriend
leaves her. She has lost connection with her family, and her father has been
gone four years. Then she meets Sam, a man who has an infectious smile and
bright personality, and she learns how to rebuild her life. Maya’s story
reminds us that, by being brave enough to connect deeply with others, we can
learn to find the light during the darkest times of our lives.
Fleeting Moments
Maya is floundering. She’s
stuck in a dead-end job, is isolated from family and friends, and her
father—the only person that ever truly understood her—has been gone four years.
When her boyfriend leaves her for another woman, the rocky foundations of
Maya’s life crumble to dust, and she sinks even further into the pit of grief
and despair.
Until she meets him. Sam. The one with the animated smile and gentle eyes, who always sees the positive no matter how bad the negative. And the one who reignites Maya’s passion through his enthusiasm and zest, helping to rebuild her life, piece by piece.
But when ghosts from Maya’s past resurface, her decisions almost destroy the few important relationships she has left, and the happiness she’s so recently found is threatened. She must overcome her demons and decide what matters most—the familiarity of the past, or the hope, love and possibilities of the future.
Until she meets him. Sam. The one with the animated smile and gentle eyes, who always sees the positive no matter how bad the negative. And the one who reignites Maya’s passion through his enthusiasm and zest, helping to rebuild her life, piece by piece.
But when ghosts from Maya’s past resurface, her decisions almost destroy the few important relationships she has left, and the happiness she’s so recently found is threatened. She must overcome her demons and decide what matters most—the familiarity of the past, or the hope, love and possibilities of the future.
Stand alone books are nice. It's easier to go through an author's catalog without having to worry about doing books in order.
ReplyDeleteI think you're totally right. There is no way we can experience every single thing we write about. That's why we have to use imagination. Adding in the basic psychology is a perfect mix for story creation.
ReplyDeleteThis story sounds interesting.
ReplyDeleteSam sounds like a keeper;)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great book about loss and grief, and finding happiness again!
ReplyDeleteNice interview, ladies! But you cannot entice me to buy this book, no sirree. (That's because I already bought it after reading another blog post about it. HA!)
ReplyDeleteHello, Rania! Good luck with your latest release.
ReplyDelete