Some of you may know but NetGalley is a wonderful way to read books before they are released and give the authors and publishers thoughts on the book. I came across the book ‘Ms. Perfectly Fine’ by Kate Callaghan. I read this book and I loved it from the get-go, and I knew I wanted to talk to the author to see how she was able to create this amazing story. I would like to thank Kate Callaghan for taking the time to do this interview.
The main character, Autumn Adler, has a health issue from a past accident/incident. How hard was that to write?
Writing MPF was exceptionally emotional. I don’t think I’ll ever write another book that will be as personal. There are so many similarities between myself and Autumn in how we deal with things. She helped me process a lot of my own issues with chronic pain, and it was definitely hard to share Autumn with the world. There were many times that I wasn’t sure if I wanted to publish her story out of my desire to protect her. However, seeing how much others have related to her has meant more to me than I can ever say. As hard as it was to share her story, if it can make one person suffering feel seen, it’s worth it.
How did you come up with the storyline for ‘Ms. Perfectly Fine’?
Autumn’s accident came first. I could literally feel the snow in the prologue when she appeared in my mind. I wanted to burst the safety bubble she has been living in and thought Elijah and Brinkley moving in was the perfect way to show her all that she has been ignoring and experiences she has been depriving herself of.
Which character came first when you were working on creating the story?
Autumn definitely. I saw her laying under that stage, hurt and protected by the very thing she loved most. I cried the first time I wrote the scene. Elijah felt very separate in my mind, I wasn’t sure how the two would come together, but then as I started to work out their characters, I realised they were exactly what each other needed.
What was your favorite moment to write for ‘Ms. Perfectly Fine’?
Probably the bathtub scene. Autumn’s walls have come down and she can’t hide her struggles from Elijah anymore. She expects him to leave but instead he climbs in with her, and she lets him hold her. It was just a really human moment, that I think was one of the most important moments in the story.
How hard was it to go from the Fantasy Genre to a more traditional Rom-Com Genre?
I wouldn’t say hard, but certainly a different experience. In fantasy, you focus so much on the adventure, the worldbuilding, and the sky is the limit. However, with rom-coms the focus is all on the emotional development of the characters and you’ve the limitations of the real world. I did miss the worldbuilding and magic of fantasy, even if Wickford is a fictional city. I will say that I love writing both equally but in different ways.
Did you always know you wanted to add a bit of a mystery element to ‘Ms. Perfectly Fine’?
The original idea for the story was that it was a stalker thriller and not so much a romance but then as I started to write I realised Autumn’s arc was more about an emotional journey than an outward adversary. However, I felt like the stalker element was a great way to convey how easily you can ignore things when you are truly struggling.
What helps inspire you to write?
Anything and everything. Music tends to inspire the scenes and then characters start to talk to me (yes, I mean full blown conversations and they don’t shut up until their story is complete). Readers who have taken a chance on my stories. I always want to improve and give them an escape.
For anyone thinking of getting into writing. What tips or advice would you give them?
Write for yourself first, and don’t think about publishing. Your love for the story and your characters has to come first. Don’t let your fear of what others might think stop you. Some are going to love it, some are going to hate it. You have to ask yourself, what will I regret more? Sharing my stories with the world, or not writing them at all?
Are there any authors you really enjoy and/or look up to?
There are honestly too many to name. There are so many, especially indie authors who inspire me to keep writing and publishing. Other indies have helped me so much along the way and I don’t think I can thank them enough. To be honest, I’m inspired by anyone who is creative, whether it’s writing, music or art. Seeing people doing what they love is and has been my biggest motivator.
Where can our readers find your books?
All the links to my book are available on www.callaghanwriter.com! Thank you so much for these lovely questions. I had so much fun answering them.
Again, I would like to thank Kate for taking the time for this interview. You can read my review here. And next year on my birthday (August 24, 2024) Kate’s next book ‘Potions & Proposals’ will be out. Make sure you pre-order it right now.
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