Rania Battany is an Australian based author who loves writing books that sweep you up into drama, love and passion. She loves getting her hands dirty in the garden, frolicking with her chickens and dog, and going on adventurous outings with her family.

Your book, ‘Call me Lucy: A stand-alone contemporary romance’ came out in December, 2019. What was the inspiration for the story?

Writing Call me Lucy: A stand-alone contemporary romance was a peculiar experience. Usually I remember where the inspiration to write a book came from, but I can’t seem to remember how/where the idea to write this story originated. Call me Lucy: A stand-alone contemporary romance is unlike anything I’ve written before. It’s written in first person and has a higher heat level than I would usually write.

If you were a doll, what accessories would you be sold with?

A kindle? Haha! Does a toy kindle even exist? Probably not. But I’ll make sure the manufactures of the “me” doll also make a kindle.

Do you ever dream about the stories you’re writing?

No. But my stories keep me awake at night sometimes!

If you had an entire week to do whatever you wanted, with no consequences, what would you do?

Oh, gosh, where would I begin! I would hit the city where I’d spend the days in a fancy hotel, getting massages and indulging in wine and cheese while in a hot tub, and I’ll spend the nights out, drinking and watching comedy shows. Then I’ll drive along the beach to the peninsula to take part in rugged adventure sports. Finally, I’ll head up to high country to enjoy fine wine and wine and beautiful scenery.

What piece of advice would you give to anyone aspiring to be a writer?

Network, network and network. Read, read and read! Having more experienced authors to learn from, bounce off and to get answers from is invaluable and reading helps with the craft.

Who is your perfect heroine? And why?

My perfect heroine is a relatable one. One that isn’t perfect, or kick-arse, or strong and powerful from the get-go. But one that becomes that way through hard work and perseverance. One that fights for what she wants, and for what is right, even though she may be scared, or worried, or has some self-doubt. This is a woman that inspires me.

Other than books, what is one item you can’t resist buying?

Plants. Mainly fruit trees and cottage style flowers. Gardening is one of my biggest loves in life.

What are common traps for aspiring writers?

Getting stuck in a bubble and not networking with other, more experienced writers. Writing can be so isolating sometimes, having your “tribe” is so important. Also, not fully understanding their genre or/and market.

What was your hardest scene to write?

In my second book, ‘Fleeting Moments’, my heroine’s tendency to self-sabotage is heart-breaking. I had to write a series of scenes where she destroys all the relationships that mean anything to her because of her inability to cope with her emotional past. I found these incredibly difficult to write. They took me so long and they kept me up at night. I had to force myself to keep at it because I knew it was all a part of her healing process and that she was going to be a better person in the end because of the heartbreak she went through.

Blurb for ‘Call me Lucy: A stand-alone contemporary romance’

I’m told they don’t know how old I am, where I came from, or if I even have a home. All the doctors know is that I was hit by a car three weeks ago, lost my memory, and no one has tried to claim me since.
Not one person in the whole damn world knows who I am.
The social worker, Lillian, wants to put me in a shelter since I’m homeless. And nameless.
I prefer to be on the street than in a shelter.
Somehow, Lillian convinces me to live at her place. With her brother.
Billy.
Billy isn’t nice.
Billy has been told to protect me.
He’s given Lillian six weeks to get me out of there. But I refuse to be at his mercy, and I will do everything I can to discover my identity before my time is up… or die trying.
Until I find out who I am, he can call me Lucy.

Buy links:

AMAZON AU
AMAZON US: Call me Lucy: A stand-alone contemporary romance
AMAZON UK
AMAZON CA

For all other links, visit my website: https://raniabattany.com