Hello and welcome to my blog, Author Interviews. My name is Fiona Mcvie.

Let’s get you introduced to everyone, shall we? Tell us your name. What is your age?

Louise Crouch, 38… wow seeing that written down is confronting!

Fiona: Where are you from?

Brisbane, Australia.

Fiona:A little about your self (ie,  your education, family life, etc.)

I’m married to a wonderful husband and have two awesome children, we have two silly dogs and one cat that ‘tolerates’ us. Education has been hit and miss, I don’t have any Bachelors, but a few Diplomas. I like watching sports (motorsports, UFC, football) and I believe I’m a ‘knitting extraordinaire’. I enjoy running and cooking, but not particularly skilled in either. I love to write lists and start but not finish new craft hobbies – bobbin lace anyone?I write Space Opera and Historical Western Romance and I will be branching out to Young Adult, Urban Science Fiction and possibly a contemporary romance in the future.

Fiona: Tell us your latest news.

My new release space opera Under the Light, book one of the Sandes Chronicles is releasing 23rd of July 2019!

Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?

When I was 11 and I worked out I could write my own happily ever afters.

Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?

When I went to my first writing course (I was 19) and I ‘accepted’ that this hobby wasn’t going away!

Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?

I love Space Opera as a genre and I also write Historical Western Romance, the wild frontier aspect is appealing. My first story I ever wrote (unpublished) was fantasy genre and I wanted to create my own version of magic. My first published book was a romance, thanks to my mum who is an avid romance reader. I started reading a few and got hooked on the emotions that romance novels can deliver.

The inspiration for my Space Opera, “Under the Light” (which turned into a Trilogy) was to amplify the positive qualities of a Human rather than the negative I also wanted to challenge the ideas of good versus evil, oppression and rebellion from different perspectives.

Fiona: How did you come up with the title?

While world building I had to create a belief system for the setting and the characters, the first part of a prayer from the belief system begins,“In all under the light …” and the next bit “In the shadow” is the title for the sequel and finally the conclusion of the series will be “Until the Dawn…”

I like contradictions and good doesn’t necessarily come free of evil, sometimes light can reveal the true colours of things, whether they are people, systems or governments.

Fiona: Do you have a specific writing style? Is there anything about your style or genre that you find particularly challenging?

I write in Third Person, so reducing head hopping is always a challenge. I want to give all my characters a voice.

Fiona: How much of the book is realistic and are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?

Somewhat based in real-life, not myself but it does make it easier to write having an understanding of the motivations, tragedies and perceptions of the characters. Although it’s Space Opera, so I’m not zipping through Jump Gateways.

Fiona: To craft your works, do you have to travel? Before or during the process?

Nope, I research a lot and then will get lost in the research as always!

Fiona: Who designed the covers?

Me! It was a challenge at the start however now I enjoy it.

Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

I didn’t set out to write something with a message, if readers take away anything I hope it’s about acceptance and considering perspectives. Our world would be a very boring place if we were all the same.

Fiona: Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?  Who is your favorite writer, and what is it about their work that really strikes you?

I enjoy a variety of authors, I’m all about reading different genres so I’m always on the hunt for new authors. If I find one I like I’ll end up reading the whole series. Of my favourites I have a few, Wilbur Smith, Robert Jordon, Anne Rice, JK Rowling, these authors make me want to re-read them, with engaging characters and a touch (some more than others) of romance.

Fiona: Outside of family members, name one entity that supported your commitment to become a published author.

My friends, instructors from writing courses and of course the online author community is very supportive and inspiring.

Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?

It’s more than a hobby but I don’t think I’ll ever give up my day-job, it’s my second career!

Fiona: If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?

I don’t think so, I hope the sequels bring any changes needed or fill in the ‘what if’ moments from the first one.

Fiona: Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?

Scenes and transitions and plotting made it easier to see the whole journey from A to Z and all the stops along the way. Just write and edit later is another big learning moment, not all the words will go down in the write order context or with enough ‘punch’ and I’ve heard it said ‘you can’t edit a blank page’

Fiona: If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

There are three main characters in Under the Light.

Liza Soberanoas Aedan Cassio and Harry Shum Jr as her alter ego Kegan Capare

I can’t decide between Michael B Jordan or Martin Sensmeieras Deuc Alion

Colton Haynes as Hunter Dios

Fiona: Any advice for other writers?

Write what you want and your readers will find you.

Fiona: Anything specific you want to tell your readers?

Hi, it’s nice to finally meet you! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Fiona: What book are you reading now?

I have a few on my to read list –Hugh Howey Shift – sequel to Wool. I like buying indie from other genres so I’m reading a paranormal romance at the moment by Carly Fall, and then I will find another new genre to immerse myself in and buy an Indie Author.

Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?

Yes! Ursula K. Le GuinEarthsea trilogy.

Fiona: What makes you laugh/cry?

Crying – A poignant moment, this may be in a book, real life or a movie.

Laughing – I like contradictions and opposites, so I have a dark sense of humour, however witty quick humour is a real joy to watch or read.

Fiona: Is there one person, past or present, you would love to meet? Why?

Nancy Wake, the ‘White mouse’ born in New Zealand but raised in Australia. Journalist and spy, with the French Revolution in World War II, she saved lives of allied soldiers escorting them through occupied France and into Spain.

She was recruited in the Special Operatives Executive and was “remembered by Vera Atkins as “a real Australian bombshell. Tremendous vitality, flashing eyes. Everything she did, she did well”. Her training reports record that she was “a very good and fast shot” and had a good eye for fieldcraft. On several occasions, she “put the men to shame by her cheerful spirit and strength of character”.She once got her parachute stuck in a tree, a nearby Frenchman said he wished all trees could bear such ‘beautiful fruit’ which she then replied, “Don’t give me that French shit.”

(source – https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/aug/08/nancy-wake-obituary)

Why? She sounds awesome and who wouldn’t want to meet her!

Fiona: Do you have any hobbies?

I think I’m good at knitting but the reviews are mixed. I love watching sports and I run and cook with enthusiasm but not much skill.

Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?

All of them! Except horror, because I’m too scared!

Fiona: Favorite foods, colors,  music?

Mexican cuisine

All shades of blue

Any music I can sing or dance to including rap, R n B or a pop ballad.

Fiona: Imagine a future where you no longer write. What would you do?

Knit and all my blankets would be stories themselves.

Fiona: You only have 24 hours to live how would you spend that time?

I’d want to be relaxing with my family (and a beer) on a nice beach watching the last sunset/sunrise.

Fiona: What do you want written on your head stone?

If I died in an unplanned accident (e.g. a piano drops on me) I’d like it read ‘She died doing what she loved’ and on the contrary (hopefully) when I do die quietly in my eighties or nineties, I’d like it to read ‘She was tragically taken too soon in such horrific circumstances which could have been totally avoided had she simply followed the instructions’.

Fiona: Do you have a blog or website readers can visit for updates, events and special offers?

I have my WordPress blog where I periodically release free short stories from the Sandes Chronicles. I also have an author Facebook page, Twitter, Instagram, Amazon, Bookbub, Goodreads and Smashwords.

https://loucrouch.wordpress.com/

https://www.facebook.com/LouiseCCrouch/

https://twitter.com/LouiseCCrouch

https://www.amazon.com/Louise-Crouch/e/B07RHYTS57

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/LouiseCrouch

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/3586254070

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16817298.Louise_Crouch

https://www.instagram.com/lou.crouch18/?hl=en

Book Links

Under the Light

Book 1 ~ Sandes Chronicles

Amazon US

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RRKLLQM

Amazon AUS

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07RRKLLQM

Amazon UK

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07RRKLLQM

 Hammer & Lock; A Texas Romance

Book 1 ~ Belles and Boots series

Amazon US

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071VBHL8B

Amazon AUS

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B071VBHL8B

Amazon UK

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B071VBHL8B

Ruby’s Texas Ranger

Book 2 ~ Belles and Boots series

Amazon US

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QYHM5C1

Amazon AUS

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B07QYHM5C1

Amazon UK

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B07QYHM5C1