We are honoured to work with as many authors as we do at Pegasus Publishers – each with their own stories to tell. Their worlds are singular, their characters are relatable, and their creativity truly knows no bounds.

This is Author Life, a feature on the Pegasus Blog that opens the door to each of our author’s creative process and previous literary experience, offering you – the reader – an opportunity to learn a little about the mind behind the novel.

Bella Harper is the author of the second-chance romance novel ‘Love Olive’.

What are the three most important things you have accomplished, aside from publishing a book?

Without a doubt my two little boys who are now 5 and 3 years of age. I am currently 28 years old and have already travelled solo around Thailand and Vietnam, become a qualified hairdresser, run my own business as a mobile hairdresser and dream about my future working purely as an author. I feel extremely blessed and grateful for the life I have and give all credit to my beautiful family, friends and community.

In your own life, what influences and inspires you to write?

Honestly, all the current topics and conversations causing uproar and curiosity in the world such as VAD which is featured in my novel “Love Olive”. I love media as a whole and adore music and poetry which I definitely feel fuels my inspiration to write and connect with readers on a personal and emotional level creating life altering memories and feelings. As an author it feels such a privilege to be able to tell stories to people over the world, encouraging and bringing to the surface new feelings, conversations, beliefs and passions.

Which book or author has had the biggest impact on you, and why?

I am currently reading Kaveh Akbar’s “MARTYR!” and it is so wonder it is achieving remarkable milestones. Akbar is a poet and it shows in his writing and connects with readers on a more relatable level and I admire that. I also adore “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert – Writing about travel, emotion and pain all in ways that readers can relate and resonate with in some way. It is hard to narrow it down considering this world is full of some amazing authors!

How would you summarise your book in as few words as possible?

I would say “A girl that has lost her drive for life and searches for purpose following the purchase of a one way ticket to India. She meets the love of her life and some deep and life altering matters arise!”

What were your first experiences with writing?

I was a bit of a dork and loved English in school – especially poetry! Anything that can promote someone to feel a certain way seems mesmerising to me! So yes, English and poetry in schooling and then following that have carried on writing in my adult years.

In your opinion, what are the key ingredients for a good story or novel?

Connecting on an emotional level. Readers will always find knowledge and facts interesting but it is when you hit the reader on an emotional level, providing them with something the resonates or is of recent interest, you’ll captivate hearts and that is when lives are changed!

How long do you spend writing every day?

I try about 30mins to an hour per day! I adore it!

How long did you spend writing this novel?

From memory a good 9-12 months! My husband works away for one week at a time and with young children being in bed from early, I spend my free time typing away!

What was the most challenging part of writing this book, and what did you learn from writing it?

Getting the Facts and information regarding organ donation and Voluntary Assisted Death accurate or as close as possible even though we have attached a disclaimer reminding readers it is not always meeting exact medical protocols and is for entertainment purposes only, even though it is urged to encourage conversation and a spotlight on these important matters!

What did you find most helpful when writing your book?

Reading loads of other books and work! Inspire yourself through other people’s ways of writing and stories even!

What writing advice would you offer to your younger self?

Hm… Touchy!

“Good things come to those who wait.”

At the time it is easy to get stuck in the moment and see no further than now, but things always work out, believe me.