I am a South African Indie author, I live with my husband and son on a small farm. Aside from being a homesteader I am also a home-schooling mom! I have always wanted to be a writer and met my very first author at age ten, he gifted me a copy of his book and signed it inside – “A gift on condition that one day you must WRITE!” It’s taken me almost thirty years but I finally did it!
Meet Luna Hayes
Questions on Writing
What is the hardest part of your writing experience?
The hardest thing so far was formatting my novel. I had it just right and uploaded it onto Google Docs and discovered that Google Docs and Open Office hate each other and everything was a mess! So I fixed it, then when I uploaded it onto a site that gets your document Kindle-ready, everything I had formatted was undone and I had to reformat it again! Moral of the story, don’t use Open Office.
What have you learnt about yourself when writing?
I’m calmer, at peace, and writing brings me joy, and allows me to live other lives.
Do you make yourself write everyday/regularly, or only when inspiration strikes?
I am on a bit of a break at the moment. I took part in the NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in November and wrote the entire first draft of a new book. I wrote every morning before anyone else in the house was awake. But even when I’m not writing, I’m thinking about writing, or things my characters may do or say.
What does literary success look like to you?
Holding a physical copy of my book in my hands, seeing my name on the cover and reaching and moving, or connecting with even just one person.
How much planning/world building do you do before writing, and how much comes along as you write?
I am most definitely a planner, for my current work in progress – it’s a series – I even drew a map of the small town and named each street, and I have Pinterest boards on what I imagine the store fronts to look like, the attractions, and events that go down in this town. My little world feels incredibly real after all that planning!
Is there anything that drew you to a particular genre, or are you happy to write in different genres?
I am currently writing romance, but I do have a desire to write something in the suspense/thriller genre – maybe one day!
How do you plan to celebrate when your books is published?
I am actually waiting for my very first book drop at the moment. My publication day is 11th January 2024. I had a book cover charm made for a bracelet; I hope to pop the champagne and after that I don’t’ really know.
Questions on Books and About You
Firstly, the most important question, what books are currently ‘on your bedside table’?
Flat Share by Beth O’Leary, How To Be The Love You Seek by Dr Nicole Lepera, and The Girl She Left Behind by Jo Barlett (an e-arc on my Kindle).
What children’s book would you suggest every adult read?
Matilda by Roald Dahl, and The Famous Five by Enid Blyton.
What does your writing space look like?
I recently bought a vintage writer’s desk – one of those with the flap down lid and cubbies for all my stationery. I write on my laptop and I have a huge desk pad next to it for notes and scribbles. I like to light a bookish themed candle when I write so there are those on my desk too. And more often than not I have a cat on my lap.
Howe many books do you think you own?
A lot! I have kept nearly every book I have owned since I was ten years old. I guess I could be called a book hoarder. I don’t have too many books, I have too few walls to put new shelves on!
Who is your literary icon?
I don’t have just one. I truly admire every author, and for different reasons. Traditionally published ones for having the guts to approach brick and mortar publishers despite rejections, and Indies for having the guts to go ahead and do it anyway despite the many obstacles in their way.
If you could own one rare/1st edition copy of a book, which would it be?
I would have to say Little Women. It’s the one book I allow myself to have numerous copies of. And by numerous I mean 31 different editions.
Is there an author you always read?
Leonie Mack, Jo Bartlett, Melissa Wiesner, and Jodi Picoult, to name just a few.
And finally, are there any plans for any new books? If so, what teasers can you give us?
Well I am currently editing book one in a series. The series will be called Lockhart Falls and each book titled has a little bit of wordplay in it. Lockhart Falls is a small coastal town with a cast of characters that will cross over in all the books.
Thank you so much for interviewing me, I had so much fun pondering the questions.
Thank you Luna😊I’m very impressed with your collection of Little Women books. I do the same with copies of A Christmas Carol and have about 36 copies.
Luna Hayes’ Books
Books By Your Bedside 