Ali Hazelwood is the New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis as well as a writer of peer-reviewed articles about brain science, in which no one makes out and the ever after is not always happy. Originally from Italy, she lived in Germany and Japan before moving to the US to pursue a PhD in neuroscience. When Ali is not at work, she can be found running, eating cake pops, or watching sci-fi movies with her three feline overlords (and her slightly-less-feline husband).

I had the opportunity to interview Ali, which you can read below.

First of all, welcome to Geeks OUT! Could you tell us a little about yourself? 

Thank you for having me! My name is Ali, and I’m a romance writer!

What can you tell us about your latest book, Bride? What was the inspiration for this story?  

When I was growing up and discovering romance, my favorite novels had werewolves and vampires (think Twilight, but steamier). My favorite authors were Kresley Cole, Nalini Singh, JR Ward, and Christine Feehan. This book is very much a paranormal romance that’s a homage to them.

As a writer, what drew you to the art of storytelling, specifically speculative fiction and romance? 

I started writing with fanfiction. I’ve always found it very hard to let go of characters and stories that I loved, so I found myself trying to write more about them.

How would you describe your writing process?

It’s very messy, and it’s still very much evolving. I’ve noticed that when I have an idea I have to let it mull for a while before I’m fully ready to write the story. And also that even though I hate giving myself daily writing goals, it’s the only way I get the book done.

Growing up, were there any stories in which you felt touched by/ or reflected in? Are there any like that now?

Absolutely—so many. It’s actually hard to list all of them, because the way I “bond” with characters by finding their most relatable quality, which means that I see myself reflected in lots of stories.

As a writer, who or what would you say are some of your greatest creative influences and/or sources of inspiration in general? 

Fanfiction, romance novels, and whatever my hyperfixation is at any given time.

What are some of your favorite elements of writing? What do you consider some of the most frustrating and/or challenging? 

I really enjoy the initial stage of coming up with a story idea and starting the drafting process. I think the hardest part of me is having to reread a book years after it’s written to get it ready for publication, mostly because at that point I cannot really make substantive changes.

Many authors would say one of the most challenging parts of writing a book is finishing one. What strategies would you say helped you accomplish this?

Edit forward. Don’t go back and edit what you’ve already written, just finish the first draft and make notes of things to change later. You can’t edit something you haven’t written, so getting a (even very bad) first draft is the most important thing.

Aside from your work, what are some things you would want others to know about you?

I have three cats, and they’re currently all gathered around me, staring. I think they want dinner?

What’s a question you haven’t been asked yet but that you wish you were asked (as well as the answer to that question)?

I’m not sure there is one. I’m pretty chatty, so if someone doesn’t ask me a question I usually just overshare? 

What advice might you have to give for other aspiring writers?

Writing can be lonely, so make sure you have a great support network gathered around you.

Are there any other projects you are working on and at liberty to speak about?

My next paranormal book, Bride, will be out in February, and my next contemporary romance, Not In Love, will be out in June.

Finally, what books/authors would you recommend to the readers of Geeks OUT? 

So many:

Sex, Lies and Sensibility by Nikki Payne—best Sense and Sensibility retelling ever.

A Tempest of Tea by Hafsah Faizal—one of my favorite vampire books ever.

The Name Drop by Susan Lee—a fantastic YA romance with mistaken identities.