Today, we delve a bit deeper into who Tanya Kean is and asked her a few questions about her writing journey…
So Tanya, tell us a little bit more about yourself. You’ve got 3 sentences. Go!
I currently live in Brisbane but being married to a pilot has meant we have been nomads for the past 20 years, living all over Australia and internationally. I love the adventure of moving to a new town, meeting new people and discovering hidden places. My dream would be to travel the world spending a few months in each place and having the luxury to just write – dream on…..
How long have you been writing?
I decided about 5 years ago to take my writing seriously, but I’ve been writing stories since about grade three. I became famous quite early in my career when I was asked to the principal’s office to explain my latest story. About a young girl (me) being lost in the desert and having to kill and eat a camel to survive. I couldn’t understand their concern, I was never going to write the usual ‘princess in distress’ story they expected.
What genre do you write?
I write historical romance, across all time periods.
What draws you to this genre?
I want to write about the often-forgotten women of history and how they truly were the heroes of their time. History is written by men for men, but invariably it was the women who held everything together. Certain periods of history had quite strict rules governing the behaviour of women and my heroines like to challenge the rules.
Where do you get your ideas?
That’s a hard question. The come from everywhere. Dreams, snippets of overheard conversations, revenge on old boyfriends, stories I see on the net. Once I start researching an idea, it opens up a whole lot of other story ideas.
Tell us about your process, how do you get into a writing mindset?
I tend to start with an idea. I usually have the characters and time period as well as what tears them apart and ultimately brings them together. However, what happens along the way tends to be quite organic. My characters lead me down many a windy road at times. I love that about writing.
I have my own writing desk in a shared space which means I often write with a headset and music. I tend to listen to music from the time period I’m writing in. I also have images of houses, characters and loads of illegible scribbles on random pieces of paper scattered everywhere.
What are you working on at the moment?
I’ve recently finished a number of short stories for different writing projects I had committed to. I have two manuscripts in development, one book one in a Regency trilogy entitled ‘The Reckless Riders’, and another stand alone book set in the sixties and seventies in Australia. I love this period as it was the birth of the women’s lib movement and so huge changes for not just women but men too. Can’t wait to write it!
Which writers inspire/influence you?
I have hundreds of authors that I love and read regularly, my kindle has run out of space. I particularly love Australian authors Jackie French (The Matilda Series) and Kim Kelly. Although not strictly romance writers, they tackle social issues in a historical context. Their use of language and setting is inspiring. I’m also a big fan of Regency authors both Australian and from the US. Anne Gracie, Anna Campbell, Sarah MacLean, Julia Quinn and Lisa Kleypas. And of course, my first love, Jane Austen. She started my love of romance, history and language.
Why do you write romance?
Because everyone needs a happily ever after. We either have romance in our lives, want romance in our lives or even have an uncomfortable relationship with romance. Whatever our own situation, romance stories reflect what we all want…to find THE one.
What else about your writing journey should we know?
I was lucky enough to win first and second place in the 2017 RWA selling synopsis competition. Many authors find synopsis hard to write, so I was ecstatic that I did so well in a tough competition. I currently have one of my stories published in an anthology called Romancing the Stones, available on Amazon. And of course, the Sheathing your Love Sabre anthology is due out next year. There’s a lot going on!
What is your favourite childhood book?
During my childhood, I devoured any books that were about animals. I still have a prized 1942 edition of National Velvet that belonged to my dad. Ring of Bright Waters was another classic. I fell in love with Anne from Anne of Green Gables in my teens.
And finally, what is the best thing about being a Love Sabrist?
Having such a supportive and like-minded group that get along like sisters. We are all different by have a common bond. We laugh hard, love hard, swear hard and drink hard…. Kidding, we don’t laugh that hard!