BIO:
Romance author Demi Blaize doesn’t like the anxious hold love has on her… so she writes the feeling into smart, ambitious heroines and cinnamon-roll men. She lives in Australia, avoiding any and all social interactions in favor of Netflix and Chilling with her hubby once her two adorable kids have gone to bed.
Not afraid to get into all things spicy, Demi writes with angst, swoon and humour. Picking up one of her books guarantees a good time.
Check her out on Instagram and TikTok, and don’t forget to subscribe for custom freebies and her regular newsletter.
When and how did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Despite the fact that I write happily ever after’s, my story started off less than happy. I was in a bad household situation as a child, and the way I coped was through books.
As soon as I learnt how to read, that was it for me. I was hooked on the escapism and the feeling these books gave me. I loved what they taught me – that no matter how bad things might seem, there’s always a way out – and I loved all the different adventures I went on through them.
All the books I’ve read have helped me get through something in one way or another, and I knew I wanted to give that feeling to someone else.
I’ve wanted to be a writer since I first learned about it at around eight years of age, and though it took a while to feel confident enough to share my stories, I haven’t looked back since.
Did you have any influencing writers growing up?
Robin Hobb influenced me greatly growing up.
In my later years, when I finally figured out what kind of feeling I wanted to give people, authors like Elsie Silver, Ali Hazelwood, Abby Jimenez and Sarah Adams influenced me as well.
Are any of your characters based on people in real life?
Yes! Mostly me, my husband, and another very close friend of mine who’s blunt honesty features in Book 1 of my series.
Where do you draw your book inspirations from?
Mostly from things that annoy me, actually, ha!
It annoys me that women get called derogatory names just for being themselves – so I created stories that made me feel like there was a little more justice being handed out on behalf of women who are labeled as ‘difficult’.
Do you use have a basic outline when starting a new story or do you let the characters lead the way?
I start with a brain dump of what I’m thinking and feeling about the character so far.
I write down a list of things I want to happen, who the character is, how they might react in some of these situations, and then I brainstorm the main conflict between my two main characters, and what their goals might be.
Then I organize it all into a ‘book bible’ that I can refer back to whenever I need it during the drafting process.
What I find though, is that no matter how much I plan, the characters take control and my story always changes from the original outline.
But the planning process is still an important part of my process, because it gets me thinking about what it could be, and even if it changes, that starting point gets me started.
When you are picturing the characters in your book, do you have a cheater photo for inspiration?
Yep! Pinterest is great for this, and I like to create mood boards to jog inspiration.
Not just for what the characters look like, though. Doing this helps me put together situations that might help move the plot forward, too.
Many people read as a form of escape and relaxation. What is your favorite way to sit back and relax?
I have a reading corner set up in my main bedroom. My chair is comfy, my snuggie is within reach, and I have a small table there for drinks and snacks.
It’s still my favorite way to relax, and I think it always will be.
Who are your favorite current authors to read?
Ooooh so many!
For romance: Elsie Silver, Abby Jimenez, Emily Henry, Christina Lauren, Sarah Adams, Ali Hazelwood, HD Carlton, Helen Hoang, Ashley Poston, and probably more that I’m forgetting here!
For Fantasy: Patrick Rothfuss, Robin Hobb and Brendan Sanderson.
For YA contemporary literary fiction: John Green
What are your favorite books by others?
Love On The Brain is my favorite Ali Hazelwood novel. It hits every note for me, and I reread it yearly.
The True Love Experiment from Christina Lauren is my favorite of theirs as well.
I love every Abby Jimenez book so far, and cannot pick a favorite.
The Liveship Trader series by Robin Hobb is my favorite fantasy trilogy.
Heartless is my favorite Elsie Silver cowboy romance.
And honestly, there’s so many I could go on and on, so I’ll stop here!
Do the locations in the stories have any meaning to you?
Not particularly. If I want a certain fast-paced feel, I go for a city location. If I want an atmospheric, close-knit feel, I go for a small-town vibe.
My series started with New York, but it’ll end in Iowa. It’s the feeling of these places that is most important to my stories.
Do you write in single or multiple POV?
I write in dual POV – the MMC and FMC both have their own POVs.
What do you find to be your best research tool?
Reading books within my genre can’t be beat, but of course, I Google a lot when I’m not sure about something.
Like a certain career path, or position, or sport, or the rules of a game. Google is a writer’s best friend.
Do you write under a pen name? Also, do you write under more than one name?
Demi Blaize is my one and only pen name. I’m not sure if I’ll have another pen name in the future – I’ll leave the door open for now.
What genre do you write and why is this your preference?
Romantic comedies, and I write them because of the feeling they’ve given me, and give to others.
Happiness, joy and a sense of escape – add all that in with characters you can relate to reaching their HEAs, and I just can’t see a better writing fit for my personality.
That feeling of absolute joy and escapism is what I want to give readers through my writing.
Tell me something about yourself outside of writing. Jobs, accomplishments, family, quirky trait... what led to you being you?
I’m a happily married mom of two who used to teach high school English and is an avid book and video game nerd.
I love all things Disney, all things Legend of Zelda, and am extremely loyal to my fandoms.
Watching Disney movies while also playing video games, while ALSO reading incredible books growing up, helped me stay optimistic in what could’ve been the start of an unhappy life.
I’m really lucky to have found these stories. They made me feel like I could belong somewhere before I found my own HEA with my husband and our two kids.
My quirkiest trait? I sing when I get anxious. No matter where I am or what I’m doing or who’s around – I’m singing. And sometimes, I’m dancing, too.
My song of choice is usually Part Of Your World from The Little Mermaid.
No, I do not have a ‘good’ singing voice, and no, I do not have rhythm. I’m entertaining nonetheless.
What advice would you give to an aspiring writer?
This is a really difficult thing to do. Writing is about putting so much of yourself on the page. And when you’ve finally created this thing that you’ve poured hours of your soul into, there will be people who just don’t like it.
And that’s okay.
Find a way to cope with that fear of rejection, and do it anyway. If writing the book is what makes you happy, don’t let anything stop you from doing it.
Get your work out there, improve, do it again, and keep going.
You will be someone’s favorite author someday.
How do you deal with and process negative book reviews?
At first, I didn’t handle them well. But now, I don’t look for them.
Instead, what I do is have a conversation with my editor about all the things I love about the book I’ve just written, and knowing I love it, and that other people (including my editor) love it, is enough for me now.
What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Making the time!
What do you need in your writer’s space to keep you focused?
Coffee, silence, warmth, and my laptop.
What is your naughty indulgence as you are writing?
Cookies and too much coffee (3 cups a day, currently).
If you could spend a day with another popular author, whom would you choose? And why?
Abby Jimenez! I’d want to spend the day with her because I think she’s incredible. She has a thriving cupcake business and writes bestselling books while raising kids – the woman is a badass.
I love everything she does, and I’d love to meet the person behind all that incredible creation.
What is your schedule like when you are writing? Do you have a favorite writing snack or drink?
My schedule is mostly dictated by my kid’s school-life. So after morning drop-offs, I’m usually at my desk at 9am, and work until pick-up time at 2:30pm.
I do this Monday-Friday, and save planning/reflection for Sunday afternoons.
Over the school holiday periods, though, I barely get any writing (or work of any kind) done. It’s all about my kids.
Coffee is my one and only drink of choice. I take it black and bitter, and I love it. Sometimes, I forget to eat while I’m writing, though.
Do you listen to music when you write – what kind of music is your favorite?
I really am such an odd person for needing and loving silence the way I do, but I can’t help it.
Fun music distracts me and makes me want to dance. Relaxing music makes me want to sleep.
I’m able to concentrate best when things are quiet.
I do love it when I hear a song that reminds me of my books, though. I keep a little file logged away for that, for times when I’m not writing and need a boost.
Have pets ever gotten in the way of your writing?
Nope! They’re my emotional support when my husband and kids aren’t around haha.
What is your kryptonite as a writer? What totally puts you off your game?
Reviews, good and bad, which is why I don’t check them anymore.
They make me feel like I need to concentrate on what readers want, instead of what’s best for the story.
Have you ever killed off a character that your readers loved?
Nope! I did write a thriller once, and killed the main character by the end. He was definitely charismatic, and a reader could understand him, but ultimately he wasn’t redeemable, which made killing him feel like the right choice.
That book is still collecting dust in my drawer. I’m not sure I’ll ever publish it.
How do you celebrate after typing THE END?
First, I run through the house to find my husband. Then I scream, “I finished it! It’s done, it’s done, it’s done!”
Then, I hop in the car and drive to my local bakery for a sweet donut-ty treat.
I hope you enjoyed this interview!
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Email: demi@demiblaize.com
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