Forced Proximity Interview | Olivia Hayle (The Connovan Chronicles, Seattle & NY Billionaires)

A fellow enemies-to-lovers and Scrivener fanatic

Last week, I recommended Olivia Hayle’s How To Honeymoon Alone, the first book of hers I’d ever read. Now, having made my way through her entire backlist, I’m delighted to have her here as my latest interviewee, just in time for her latest book, One Wrong Move. Thanks, Olivia!

Forced Proximity: Thanks so much for agreeing to do an interview! Please introduce yourself, in as much or as little detail as you would give a new friend

Olivia Hayle: My name is Olivia, and I write contemporary romance. I've been a writer for five years now (time flies) but a reader for as long as I can remember. Books are among the best things I know, and I've been writing as a child, as a teenager... and now as an adult. I started writing fantasy romance in college and then shifted to contemporary romance. Now it's my full-time job! I love to travel and this job has helped a lot with that, for signings and conferences with other authors. I write billionaire romance because I love ambitious characters—both my heroes and heroines. It's the best job in the world!

How would you explain your latest book [The Perfect Mistake] to a non-romance reader?

It's an uplifting story about two people who are unexpectedly forced to spend a lot of time together, and who despite obstacles, fall in love. They both have internal wounds to heal and manage to do just that with the help of each other. It's set in New York, in a fabulous penthouse, and with two adorable kids. 

How would you explain it to a regular reader of romance?

Single dad and nanny, 15-year age gap, best friend's older brother, and he-reads-her-Kindle-to-find-out-what-she-likes... Definitely spicy! 

What’s your writing routine, if you have one? When/where/how do you find yourself at your most creative?

I write at my desk at home; that's always been where I'm most productive. I have a standing desk and a walking pad that helps me stay productive and creative. My brain often works better when my body is working. I like to use a timer, and write in 20-minute intervals, directly in Scrivener. I try to write in the mornings or right after lunch; my goal is always to have written all of my words by 2PM. In terms of creativity, I often find that going for walks in nature helps untangle pesky plot problems. 

What hobbies do you have outside of work that aren’t literature-related?

I started riding a year ago, and it's been the most fantastic hobby. Horses are incredible and it's taught me so much about body control, bravery, multi-tasking, and animal care. I also like to play tennis and I do pottery once a week. Pottery has been really valuable for me, to do something creative without any prestige or goals of it being perfect, you know? It's just fun to do something tactile. I also like to unwind by playing video games, the more epic and beautiful the world is, the better! It's like reading a book come to life. 

Which of your protagonists would you most like to be forced into proximity with? Why?

Hmmm, great question. I think my hero Victor St. Clair from Say Yes to the Boss. He is aloof and grumpy, but has a dry humor beneath, and it would be very fun to peel back his layers! 

Is there a romance trope that’s an auto-read for you? What about one you’re suspicious of unless a favorite author tries it out?

Hmm, really good enemies to lovers is probably an auto-read for me! The trope I'm most suspicious of is probably secret baby, to be honest. It's hard to do well. 

What's a book you've read and loved recently?

Another great question. I read a lot, and a few books that have really stood out to me in the past few months are Love Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood, An Immense World by Ed Yong, and finally a dark but fantastically character driven Dramione fanfic from Ao3 called Breath Mints / Battle Scars. Very different genres! 

What’s something you wish you knew at the beginning of your writing career?

So much! One of the things I struggled with in the beginning was how to market a book; essentially how to tell readers about the promises the story is making. Communicating with readers in tropes and hooks, that sort of thing. Why should a reader pick up this book? That is an important question to answer both before you write the book and after. There needs to be something compelling about it. In the beginning, learning that language took some time. 

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Thanks again, Olivia! Snag the next book in her latest series here, and find her elsewhere on the internet at the following links:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviahayle/

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@oliviahayle

Amazon: https://amazon.com/author/oliviahayle

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/olivia-hayle

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18918578.Olivia_Hayle

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authoroliviahayle 

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Next week, I’ll be recommending books about Hollywood co-stars!

What should I be reading next? Let me know in the comments!

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