What I remember about connecting with Hilly Keen was her amazing sense of humor, which is so beautifully woven into her stories. And then obviously I spent a couple of days just binge-reading her books. Hilly writes novellas that are so fulfilling you find yourself thinking about these characters long after you’ve finished. Her Welcome to Wavecrest series is made up of seven stories set in a small fictional town of Wavecrest. Every trope you can think of is featured and these characters hook you right from the start. It’s safe to say I am now obsessed with Hilly’s writing.
Her second series, Work for It, is also set in Wavecrest and features a new group of characters that use a coworking space and fall in love along the way. The first two books are absolute bangers and I highly recommend them for everyone looking for quick, funny and sexy reads. And if that’s not enough, Hilly shares cat pictures and spreads her fantastic humor around on Threads, keeping me entertained whenever she posts.
All her books are currently available in Kindle, and will soon be available on all major platforms (and in box sets). Also make sure you preorder Fake It 'Til You Feel It (Releasing March 2nd)!
BEING AN AUTHOR
Who or what inspired you to write?
I come from a family of storytellers—especially my dad. He cared less about the veracity of a story than the dramatic elements, so we were always left questioning how much of what he told us was true. He always talked about writing his “Great American Novel” but never did it. I guess some of that storytelling rubbed off on me.
What’s the best and worst part about being an indie author?
When anybody asks, “What do you do?” and I get to answer, “I’m a writer.” I try really hard not to giggle whenever I say it, but it thrills me every time I answer that particular question.
The worst part is being my own boss. I’m terrible at managing myself, setting deadlines and goals. And doing my own marketing. I communicate best in writing…I shouldn’t be asked to create a visual marketing campaign. “Not in my wheelhouse” doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Why did you choose to self-publish instead of going the traditional route?
I didn’t want to slog away on a story for a year and then try to find an agent. I’m okay with rejection (well, not okay, but it doesn’t destroy me), but the long timelines in traditional publishing turn me off. Also, because I write novellas there’s little chance I’d get a traditional deal anyway.
I consume eBooks on my Kindle app at an alarming rate. There are a gazillion talented authors, and it’s encouraging to know that the quality of indie stories is just as high as traditionally published stories.
When you’re not writing, what do you do to get the creative juices flowing?
I tend towards being an introvert, but I do enjoy getting out of the house and interacting with random people, like at the store or in the neighborhood. It kind of resets my brain. And sometimes I’ll encounter a person or scenario that sparks an idea.
If you were to recommend books to me (in any genre), what would they be?
Trick question! There are too many. My most favorite romance that I read recently is The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen. It’s one of those books where when you finish it you ask yourself, “How did she pull that off?” It’s beautiful and emotional and creative, and it really tapped into what it feels like to be lonely and crave connection.
I’m a huge consumer of contemporary romance, so I’ll always recommend anything by Olivia Dade, Talia Hibbert, Ali Hazelwood, Helen Hoang, and anybody else who’s talented at digging into their characters’ emotions. Honestly, the list is endless.
It’s been a while since I read anything non-romance, but my favorite outside the genre is The Accusation by Bandi. It’s a short-story collection written by an anonymous person living in North Korea who wrote under a pseudonym. It’s a fascinating window into what life is like there. The stories were smuggled out and published about eight years ago.
What are your top 5 tips or pieces of advice for aspiring authors?
Don’t forget that this is supposed to be fun. Write what you enjoy and don’t be afraid to be funny.
Keep it simple. It’s so easy to complicate a plot, and I’m still learning that sometimes a more straightforward story is better.
Join author groups on FB or wherever you find them. I learned so much from other authors when I was starting out. Not just craft things, but logistics like how to set up a newsletter.
Read, read, read. Especially in the subgenre you intend to write in. Notice the conventions and patterns, because your readers have certain genre expectations.
A good developmental editor is worth their weight in gold.
ROMANCE AS A GENRE
Why did you choose romance as the genre to write in? What is your favorite thing about the genre?
I’m a romance reader first, writer second. Reading romance got me through some extremely difficult times, and it’s become a big source of comfort. I think that’s true for a lot of people—it’s a way to escape the harsh reality of the current state of things.
The best thing about romance is how aspirational it is. It demonstrates how we can treat people with love and respect, and how we can expect to be treated. I love reading books where characters learn to deal with their mental health issues, or learn how to have a healthy relationship, or finally ask for what they want.
There was a recent discussion about non-harmful ways for two characters to talk about STDs and sexual health. “I’m clean” used to be the standard, and I think romance is slowly evolving to use less judgemental language like “I’m clear,” or “We’re safe.” I love to see the evolution of the language and how romance authors can be a part of normalizing how we talk about sexuality, gender, disability, age, fat characters, race, and mental health.
If not romance/subgenres of romance, what genre would you like to write in?
I’d love to write locked-room mysteries. I don’t know if I have the concentration and focus to do this, but I really love watching movies like The Glass Onion. Mystery writers dazzle me with their sleight of hand and red herrings.
What are your most and least favorite tropes?
I love the runaway bride/groom trope. The drama happens right at the beginning, and the situation usually has a humorous element. And I love a character that comes back from heartbreak and says, “No, I deserve better.”
I’m not a fan of the surprise pregnancy trope. The book would have to be beyond exceptional for me to read it. There’s a few reasons I don’t like the trope: Pregnancy isn’t sexy; It gives the characters no time to get to know each other before becoming parents; And I feel like it ignores the current fight for women’s reproductive rights. When the FMC gets pregnant, there’s no discussion or consideration about her choices. It’s usually like, “Welp, I guess I’m having a kid now, my future dreams and plans be damned.”
That being said, I’ll read a single guardian story any day of the week. Like an aunt, uncle, or godparent that had to step in to raise a kid. Catnip.
What are some tropes you want to write in the future?
Forced proximity is always fun to read, and I’d love to write one in the future. But it probably wouldn’t be a snowed-in cabin, because I base my books in Northern California and snow confuses me.
What are some topics (sensitive and otherwise) that you think should exist more in romance?
I wish there were more stories about people who have difficult relationships with parents or siblings. Not only that a parent is out of the picture or over-the-top evil, but family members that are very much a part of a MC’s life. I appreciate a book where a toxic parent doesn’t become redeemed in the end. Cathy Yardley did this beautifully in “Role Playing.”
If you write open door romance, why did you choose that and what inspires your sex scenes?
I thought I’d write more tame, less detailed sex scenes, and then I started typing and stuff just came out. With every book I write I think about dialing the spice down, but it’s like I enter a fugue state and the next thing I know the MMC has the FMC twisted up like a pretzel. I’ve read a ton of spicy/steamy books, and they all inspire me, plus I have a vivid imagination.
YOUR BOOKS
What inspired your published stories? How and when did you come up with these stories and plots?
I wanted to write about people I’d like to be friends with, so I created a fictional town inhabited by a bunch of people I’d love to hang out with. I’m a proud (smug) Northern Californian, so I set my stories here because it’s a beautiful, diverse, liberal place. As for plots, they just pop into my head, usually when I’m in the shower. Sometimes when I’m out running errands and a particular interaction catches my attention I think about how I can add a romantic spin to it.
Can you briefly tell me about your books?
I write low-angst, high heat stories about funny people falling in love. Even though there’s a ton of snark and banter I try to make my characters kind. There’s usually a theme of found family running through my stories. I want my characters to have fun, and I want my readers to feel like they’re part of the group.
Do you already have a favorite character from the stories you’ve written?
I love Bruno from The Boss and the Silver Fox. He’s the character most in need of a hug, and his pining is next-level. I’m a sucker for a strong, silent type who is a big ol’ squishy marshmallow (I married one!). He uses food to show love, and that’s so comforting and familiar to me.
If you were to cast your book for a movie/television show, who would you cast in the lead roles?
I kind of picture Jeffrey Dean Morgan for all of my more rugged male characters. For the less rugged men I would like to appeal to the ghost of young Paul Newman and see if he has time. Alice (in Get a Groom) I always pictured as a young Lynda Carter with a lot of tattoos. I picture most of my FMCs as the actresses that usually play ‘the best friend’ in a romantic comedy.
How much of yourself do you put into these characters?
There’s a little bit of me in every one of my characters, male and female. The snark is all me. Alice (Get a Groom) and Ryan (The Bride and the Bad Boy) have my tough outer shell; Evelyn (Hate to Need You) is me every day…grumpy as the day is long. Sylvie (A Husband for the Holidays) is probably the most like me…wanting to feel connected, not knowing how to handle complex emotions, but smart and determined.
Is there one common element that readers can find in all your stories?
Aside from humor and snark, found family runs through most of my stories. I’ve really enjoyed building a tight group of friends in my series— people who are so comfortable with each other that they have no problem meddling in their friends’ lives or cracking jokes that sound harsh to an outsider but tie the group closer together.
What’s next on the bookshelf for you? Anything you can tell us about a future project?
I’ve published nothing but novellas so far, but I’m noodling around with a novel that’s been inside my brain for a few years. It's about a widower and a woman he’s known since high school. The trick will be to make it funny despite dealing with the loss of a spouse. It’s not set in my Wavecrest universe, but in a real city on a real street.
When you write these stories, what are you hoping your readers will feel?
Connection. I hope they feel like they want to be part of the group of characters I created. I hope they find humor and warm fuzzies. My writing doesn’t aim for the deepest, darkest, most complicated emotions, but I want my stories to be a comfortable, entertaining read.
AUTHOR’S CHOICE
Paperbacks, hardbacks, ebooks or audiobooks
Contemporary, fantasy, historical or romantic suspense
Single or Dual POV
Standalones, series or standalones in a series
Open door, ajar door or closed door romances
Music or silence when writing
Plotter, pantser or plantser
Water, tea, coffee or….wine?
Cold or warm weather
Write better in the morning, afternoon or night?
Illustrated or photo cover?
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