Interview with Author Bettina Hunt
Bettina Hunt
I am thrilled to have interviewed author Bettina Hunt, who shared with us details of her writing life, her book ‘Our Song‘, which was released on 16th January 2024, and answered a few fun questions. This post contains affiliate links.
Bettina Hunt lives in the East of England with her husband and two young sons. She writes uplifting romantic comedies and women’s fiction with fun and relatable heroines.
She has Dyspraxia and is on a mission to raise awareness of what it’s like to have this condition, starting with her novel, A Girl Like Me. Bettina is also a co-host of the Love At First Write Podcast talking all things writing and reading romance.
Her most recent book, Our Song, a dual POV story featuring the secret identity trope and an ex boy band star, asks the intriguing question: Can you fall in love with someone you’ve never met?
1) Where did the inspiration for your book come from?
I love singing and joined an online singing app many years ago. I got into watching Love is Blind on Netflix and then the idea popped into my head to mix the two. What if you fell in love with someone’s singing voice…
2) How did you plan out the plot?
I’m a pantser, which means I rarely plan out a book, so once this idea came to me, I just opened my laptop and started writing…
3) When did you choose the title for your book?
I tend to choose titles before I start a story but I must admit that this book title has changed – It went from Sing For Me to Our Song – which I think suits it better.
4) How did you come up with the names for your characters?
Name choices are so hard! But I felt that Daniel (Dan) was a good name for someone who used to be in a boy band. Ella went well with Dan so I went with that.
5) How did you go about researching the content for your book?
I revisited the singing apps I joined and sang a lot of songs on there, I became hooked again! At the same time I was there to not only sing but to see how the apps worked.
6) What made you choose this genre?
I love reading and watching rom coms so it was a no-brainer for me to write them.
7) How long did it take you to complete your book?
About 3 and a half months which is unusual for me but the story poured out quickly so I just went with the flow.
8) Can you describe your book in three words?
Fun, romantic and heart-warming.
9) What’s the hardest part of being a writer?
Carving out the time to write the book with life happening around me. I do feel strong mum guilt.
10) Why should our readers pick your book up?
Our Song is a unique take on the secret identity trope, we’ve had emails, we’ve had letters but this is falling in love through the medium of voice and songs…
Pages – 306
Release Date – 16th January 2024
Format – ebook
Synopsis
Get ready to be swept away by a story of love, music, and the courage to sing your heart out.
Dan vowed never to perform again.
Ella vowed never to fall in love again.
Until music brought them together.
Dan was a member of one of the world’s biggest boy bands when the unthinkable happened. Today, determined to avoid his past, Dan’s carving a new career as a painter/decorator helping his clients transform their houses into homes.
Ella believed that marriage was forever until the day her husband walked out. Now divorced, Ella’s working in a bridal boutique helping brides-to-be find their dream wedding dresses.
But when night falls, neither venture out, with Ella living life vicariously through others and Dan only leaving his flat for one of his mum’s famous Sunday roasts.
When they’re both pushed to face their deepest fears, everything changes. Joining a singing app to rediscover their voices, Ella and Dan’s isolated worlds collide. Through their shared love of music, heartfelt songs and soul-baring lyrics, their lives intertwine, forging a bond neither expected.
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Fun Questions
1) Do you have a writing buddy (i.e. a pet)?
Well, I wouldn’t say I have a writing buddy as such but Luca, our kitten, does like to walk all over my laptop if it’s open – the last time he managed to switch off my WIFI, ha ha!
2) Do you have any writing quirks?
I hate silence so I always have some noise when I am writing, whether that be the TV on or YouTube songs, I do like a soundtrack to accompany writing my books and have added two as Spotify playlists – one for Our Song and one for A Girl Like Me (my previous romantic comedy).
3) Where do you write?
I write either on the sofa in the living room or in the office when it’s free.
4) Your book has been made into a movie, you’ve been offered a cameo role, what will you be doing?
I’d probably be one of the guests at the New Year’s Eve party that Ella goes to, you’ll find me singing at the Karaoke machine!
5) A talking owl has just finished reading your book, what’s the first thing he says to you?
Hmm… I think he would say ‘Okay, this book has convinced me, I’m joining a singing app, it sounds like so much fun!’
Author links
Goodreads
TikTok
A big thank you to Bettina Hunt for sharing her writing life with us and for a wonderful interview.
