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.

Meet Rhyannon Grace, author of the children’s book Papa Goes To Paris.

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Could you tell us three interesting facts about yourself?

I grew up in one of the most isolated cities in the world, Perth Australia.

I adore dogs. I will stop and talk to them every day. I love all types.

I started my professional training career as a ballet dancer.

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

I write like to need to breathe, I just have to! It’s a basic need I have as a human to connect with myself and the world. I love to read widely and get inspiration from the books I’m reading, fiction and nonfiction, autobiographies and biographies. Tracy Chevlaier's work always inspires me as does Robyn Carr’s Virgin River Series. Music is another source of inspiration for me too.

I get inspiration and ideas for writing narrative-style pieces, from simple everyday things of life, conversations, nature, and animals. The idea for Papa Goes to Paris - came to me as a complete story. Other pieces, like a screenplay I’m working on, I chip away at over time scene by scene.

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

Julia Cameron, author of The Artist Way, and lots of other titles is my mentor as an artist and writer.

Julia’s work, her courses and her teachings opened me up to new heights, levels and flow of creativity in my life.

Can you tell me about the book?

Papa Goes to Paris is a children’s picture book. Papa is a little and mighty eccentric toy poodle who lives with his human parents. Papa is a quirky little guy, born 'old' (according to his friends), he's a pint-sized explorer with big feelings, opinions, and dreams. This book covers his springtime adventure to Paris. More stories to come as he travels the world!

What were your first experiences with writing?

I loved the moment when I learnt how to physically write! It was such a joy for me that later opened me up to the world of journalling at age 7 or 8 years old. My early experiences were about understanding my internal landscape, I wasn’t the kid writing stories, I was navigating the turbulent landscape of my mind.

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

I’m a huge fan of real characters, ones full of quirks and contradictions. If I connect with the characters, that is significant to me as a reader. I also value style, if a writer is coming with a strong authentic style, that’s powerful.

How long should an author spend on their craft each day?

I think consistency is key to your craft, the frequency and amount of time. Work out what that looks like for you in your life, it may be writing daily, or twice a week. Then show up for that with a minimal time frame that’s possible for you, maybe that’s 5 mins or 50 mins. It doesn’t matter what you write, it might be in your journal, mapping out story ideas you have, mapping out character details, writing out one-liners of dialogue, or working a scene or chapter.

The goal here is to consistently be writing, and that’s all it takes to get going! That’s your minimum commitment to your craft, and it’s so easy to achieve and taper to the different seasons of your life.

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

I had never written for children before, this type of book was a surprise to me. I learnt writing is writing, be it a song, book, or screenplay - it’s all writing!

What common pitfalls should aspiring writers avoid?

Waiting for the ‘right’ thing. The right idea, or the right time. It falls under this idea of perfectionism, it doesn’t exist! Give yourself permission to write terribly. It’s very liberating and it’s only up from there, that’s advice from Liz Gilbert.

What writing advice would you offer to your younger self?

Not that I would have understood this at the time: It’s all within you already, it does come for an external source. I’m still learning that advice.

Papa Goes to Paris is available now in paperback.