I’ve known Camille for several years, and have read–and loved–all her novels. It was so fun to talk with her about her latest work, as well as her writing life.
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Yes—from the moment I realized the books I was reading had been written by a person! It’s been my lifelong dream, though I didn’t start writing an actual novel until I was 29.
Can you briefly describe your writing routine, if you have one? For instance, do you write at a set time/place each day? Listen to certain music?
I’m a creature of habit; I prefer to write in my home office, regardless of the time of day. I need total silence when I’m writing, so the kids can’t be home, either. 😀 That said, morning is my best time, so after my kids go to school, 9-12:30 or so is my non-negotiable writing time. I often stop for lunch and then keep writing, and then reserve the end of the day for marketing and social media related to my books. I’m also a health journalist, so some days I’m on deadline and that’s the second half of my day—or depending on how tight the deadline is, the first!
Do you typically start with character or plot, or some combination?
I’m never quite sure where the books come from, but they do start with a character and a very clear understanding of the beginning and end of the book. The middle is the tricky part for me!
What’s currently on your nightstand ?
I’m currently reading an early copy of Tif Marcelo’s Once Upon a Sunset (and loving it!) and Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson.
What do you find most rewarding about being an author, and particularly of women’s fiction?
The stories that other people share with me—which also happens to be my favorite part of journalism. After reading my books, people often email or connect with me on social media to tell me how the book hit them at the right time or contained some line or section they needed to read, and it makes all of it worth the effort.
If you had six months with no obligations or financial constraints, what would you do?
Write—which is how I know I’m doing the right thing with my life. I’d focus on fiction, as I do now, but would probably still want to cover health and wellbeing, because those are naturally my interests (I nearly went to graduate school for public health before becoming a freelance journalist and can’t help but read up on the latest in health and psychology).
If Hollywood made a movie about your life, who would you like to see play you in the lead role?
Oh my gosh, I’m way too boring—that’s why I write fiction! I just want Hollywood to make movies out of my novels.