Get ready to learn more about the book Wild Love in this discussion with sapphic author Gemma Addison Dove.
Join us for an exclusive peek behind the scenes as we quiz Gemma Addison Dove about Wild Love, writing, reading, and more.
This book is part of the Insta-Love category in the 2024 IHS Reading Challenge.
Why did you write Wild Love?
I love reading short instalove romance. Mountain Men are abundant in short instalove MF romance, but I wanted to read something sexy and cozy featuring a mountain woman. So, I wrote Wild Love.
Who is your favorite character in the book?
The story is dual point of view, with each character taking turns from chapter to chapter, and I think I enjoy both characters equally!
How did you come up with the title for your book?
I work closely with my friend Avery (Avery Daisy Book Design), who does my covers. I’m not very good at coming up with titles, and sometimes the final decision comes down to how well it looks on the cover. For this cover, I really liked how each word was vertical on each side of the woman. But then I had to come up with short, two word titles for the next two books, so all the covers could match!
How much research did you need to do for Wild Love?
It had been a minute since I baked a cake from scratch. I had to go read some cake recipes.
If you’re planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for it?
Wild Love is book one in the ‘Sapphic Mountain’ series. There will be two more within this group of connected characters: one with Nelly’s older sister, Samantha, and one with Nelly’s boss who runs the bakery in town, Gwen. Then I plan on doing another set of stories in the same world that take place at the mountain summer camp, which is run by Nelly’s other sister, Mallory.
What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?
I’m a little bit of both, and it depends on what I’m writing. I like writing contemporary short stories and novellas, because then I can be more of a pantser. When I write longer novels, or attempt to write whole series, or write fantasy/sci-fi instead of contemporary, then I want to know EVERYTHING before I fully begin, and I usually just end up getting frustrated. This is the reason I think I’m going to be sticking to short stuff for now! I think it suits me well. It only took me a decade to figure that out.
Where do you usually write, and what do you need in your writing space to help you stay focused?
I prefer to write in my office. I am lucky that I get to have my own office in our home. I’ve been writing on the same desk since I was nine years old. Even then, I wanted to be a writer.
Is there a particular genre you would love to write but only under a pseudonym?
I love writing my sweet but steamy contemporary stories under Gemma, but I would also love to write dark romance, and I’ve always loved the fantasy and sci-fi genres, too. Maybe one day. Many rough drafts exist, I just haven’t fully polished anything yet.
What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing, and by whom?
If you want to be a writer you have to have thick skin. There will always be people out there who don’t like what you write, or don’t understand what you write, or tell you that you’re not good enough. (And sometimes you’re the one saying all of those things to yourself??)
What author in your genre do you most admire, and why?
I really enjoy Ashley Poston. Geekerella is my favorite YA contemporary romance. I can’t think of the exact name of the trope…but when the characters are communicating through letters or text anonymously and getting along, but they’re also communicating in-person and they hate each other? So good. lol
Do you only read books in one genre or do you genre hop?
I read all over the place. I love contemporary romance but I also love fantasy and science fiction. I love sweet but steamy romance, but I also love dark romance. I love YA but I also read MG and adult. I like reading new stuff, because I like knowing about the new buzz books, but I also think it’s important to remind myself to read the classics, too, and classics from multiple genres. There will never be enough time to read all the books that I want to read.
Have you ever thought you’d hate a book, but ended up loving it?
Unfortunately, I fell like the opposite happens to me way too often. I think I’m going to love a book and it ends up being not what I expected at all. This has been happening a lot lately. I feel like when this happens, I need to go back and reread a favorite book, or pick-up a new-to-me book by one of my favorite authors.
