L.L. Hunter is an Australian Indie author who has published over 50 books to date. She loves good wine, animals and true crime documentaries.
What got you into writing your own stories?
When i was a child i didn't have many friends so i spent most of my lunch in the library reading. I have always written a wide range of stories from when i was a child, but i started my first novel in 2012 after suffering two deaths in the family.
What genre do you write?
YA fantasy and contemporary romance / mystery
Tell us about your WIP.
I'm writing the third book in the Riverside Oak mystery series. It follows Amber and Talys as they navigate their forbidden romance in the treacheorus world of organised crime. It's a starcrossed lovers type romance set in an academy for trained killers. The small town of Riverside Oak also acts as its own character in that it has its own secrets.
How would you describe your writing style?
I'm not really sure how to answer this. This would be more an editor or reader perspective. But i love writing flawed characters, character driven stories, and epic world building.
What comes more easily, plot or characters?
It's different for every project. Sometimes i get an idea for a character, and sometimes its the premise of a plot.
How do you write your characters?
I love writing flawed characters with deep emotional wounds that they have to overcome to grow, and to often fall in love and / or to overcome the obstacle they're facing.
Tell us about the setting your story/stories take place in.
I have books set in the future (Ya dystopian series like the Molten Heart Saga, and the Aqua Saga. the latter is set in an underwater dystopian world), i have realms filled with angels in my Nephilim Universe series, mysteries set in small towns and in academies for trained killers, then i have epic fantasy worlds that i've built from the ground up.
Have you written any animal characters? Tell us about one of them.
Not really. There's the odd horse or pet, but i do have dragon and wolf shifters, does that count? Ash is a dragon shifter (The Dragon Heart series)I do have an idea for a YA or middle grade series, as well as a children's book, centred around animal characters though.
Do you cross over genres or do you only stick to one?
Now i only stick to YA. I did have some NA stories, but they didn't do as well as my YA stuff. I've built my brand on YA so that's where i'm going to stay. Unless i write that children's book for my nieces and nephew then i might have to think of a pen name...
What is your "writer's den" like?
At the moment, my office is just a desk in the corner of my bedroom. But i'm building a new house and will have a seperate office and library.
How do you get into the flow for writing? Do you have any rituals?
I have to have music playing. Mostly Taylor Swift, and i have to have a beverage of some kind, like tea, coffee, water or wine. I usually write after lunch in the afternoon, because i do admin in the morning and sometime exercise.
How do you do research for your writing?
I've studied forensic science and love watching true crime documentaries, so they give me inspiration and help with the crime aspects of my mystery / romantic suspense books. Fantasy is a little easier as they're mostly made up, unless i have to write in a certain weapon or something.
What is your personally most significant achievement as a writer, and why?
Oh, a few epic moments have happened, like meeting my idols. But i'd have to say one of the best was making five figures of income in 2023 and overall. Now its my goal to hit six.
What would be the greatest achievement for you to aim for as a writer if anything were possible?
What would be the greatest achievement for you to aim for as a writer if anything were possible?
What are you most grateful for as a writer?
My readers. They are so beautiful and supportive and without them, i wouldn't be where i am now, being able to write books for a living. It's the best job ever!
Do you have a day job? What is it?
No. I'm a full time author, but i also work for Book Fair Australia, a book event festival of which i co- founded.
Do you read the same genre you write? Why, or why not?
Yes. I love YA books, especially fantasy.
Is there an author who inspires you?
Cassandra Clare, Rebecca Yarros, Jennifer L Armentrout
Give us three fun facts about yourself.
I can say the alphabet backwards
I have two furbabies named Oscar, a ragdoll, and Heidi, a chihuahua x poodle
I used to be in a band
What is something about you that few people know?
The band I was in was called ELMTREE, and it was a folk acoustic band. I was a singer and my friend Alanna played guitar and sang.
What's your favorite holiday?
Christmas because i get to cook yummy food and dance to corny Christmas songs
What's your favorite season?
Autumn. The trees are pretty and it's nice and cool.
What's your favorite book?
The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien. I just love the world Tolkien has created.
Is there a cause that's important to you?
Anything to do with animals. I support the RSPCA and the Sydney Taronga Zoo wildlife charity.
Connect with L.L. Hunter here.
Featured Book: Seven Bodies
If You find any more body parts, for goodness sake, don't touch them
Who was your favorite character to write and why?
Bobby, as he finally has a chance to have a romance. He hasn't had the best history with love.
What was the spark that started this book?
It's part of a series revolved around the daughter of a serial killer, set in a small town filled with secrets.
What was the most interesting random fact you researched for this book?
I thought a dinghy boat was only called that in Australia where I live, but it's called that everywhere.
What's the message you worked into this book?
Find the time for the things and people that matter to you most, because it could all be taken away in a moment.
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