Ballan author Holly Brunbbauer has just launched a “fresh and feisty” new rom-com book title ‘What Did I Miss?’ – published by HarperCollins – this month, and will present an author talk at Lerderderg Library from 10–11am on Saturday, August 2. Oscar Parry spoke with Holly about her connection to Ballan, her new book, and what she enjoys most about writing.
What is your connection to Ballan?
We moved to the area three years ago wanting a tree change, and it’s been the best thing we could have done for our family. We’re currently building an off-grid home in a peaceful pocket surrounded by the Wombat State Forest, and I started writing my debut novel when I moved here – so, I think the fresh start in a community that instantly felt like home was great for my creativity. My story also includes some vintage cars, specifically a 1967 Ford Mustang GT fastback named Gertie, and this area seems to have a lot of vintage car owners. I’m often walking past and admiring them, and it feels quite serendipitous having them in my real world as well as my fictional one. When I moved here, the alarm went off – the emergency alarm in the town – and because where I’m from, we don’t have those – I had no idea what it was, I thought we were in a zombie apocalypse … it’s been fun to learn … all the quirky things about small town life.
What, if anything, would you change about where you live?
I think it would be great if there was some more takeaway options, but it does seem like that is improving – so that’s really great.
Please tell us a bit about your new book and what readers can expect.
‘What Did I Miss?’ is a fresh and feisty romantic comedy about a woman who married young, is newly divorced, almost 30, and ready to experience all of the things she missed out on in her 20s. Readers can expect a feisty main character, a swoony love interest, a quirky cast, and an emphasis on the ‘com’ in rom-con.
What do you enjoy most about writing, and what would your advice be to anyone who is thinking about giving writing a go?
[What I enjoy most] is having something for myself. As a mother of two – and having a really clingy pug – it’s just nice to have something for myself. My advice would be to learn how to write; it seems like it’s easy, but when you sit down to do it, there’s a lot to learn to the craft. Enrol in a writing course or a writing group … start to learn the mechanics of how a book is structured, and get feedback from people who aren’t your friends and family and therefore aren’t obligated to say that it’s brilliant – because you will have to face the real critics one day: your readers.
Please tell us a bit about the other jobs you do outside of writing.
I’m a virtual assistant for aspiring and published authors – I help them with branding, websites, newsletters, social media, and publishing their own books.
