Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a Finnish romance writer. I’ve been writing for close to 20 years now, and my books are mainly romance. I have written a total of four books, Hidden Love is the first one that’s been translated to English and another one is coming in 2024. I write HEAs, and some of my books are LGBTQ+.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest published book is called Hidden Love. It’s a story about two friends, Vera and Ian, and the choices we must make to be happy. This book has two different storylines. One, the main one, is about friendship, roommates falling in love, and a fake relationship because I’m a sucker for those kind of stories myself. So that theme was inspired by the write-what-you-want-to-read-principle 🙂
The other storyline is about the house where Vera and Ian live and its history. It’s about an old lovestory from the 1940’s, and the historypart is actually real. I love history and happened to read about foreign POWs in Finland during the WWII and started to play with that idea. The war, however, is just a minor sideline in this book. This is a contemporary, light romance set in present day.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Unusual… I don’t know about that, but I like to scetch new scenes in my head before I go to bed. That’s when my mind wanders freely. I also hate writing just short snippets, 1000 or 2000 words per writing session is the normal for me.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
There are so many of those I could spend all day writing that list. But to mention top three about the English writers I’d say Mariana Zapata, Elle Kennedy and Sally Thorne. Books depend on my mood, but I’d like to learn to write even better slow-burn romance that’s filled with personal characters and isn’t too angsty. So about all that kind of books I’ve read have inspired me in one way or the other.
What are you working on now?
I’m finishing the second part of the Hidden Love -series and drafting some ideas for the third part. The second part is an enemies to lovers -romance about the lead singer in a band and his former friend. Their paths cross after years spent apart and that’s where the fun part begins 🙂 So I’m writing that banter now and dreaming about a romance between a drummer and his bodyguard.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I like to be in touch with my readers so I’d like to think that is also a method my readers like. About the websites, this is my first time in doing this in English so I don’t have any experience about the websites on this language.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write. Just write. Even if it feels like your head is empty, write something. Then edit it and write again. It’s easiest to write when you just keep doing it every day. Don’t be afraid to ask for opinions but be careful who you listen to.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Kill your darlings. And not literally but in your texts. If something doesn’t sound right or work, erase it.
What are you reading now?
Baby Mine -duet by Kennedy Fox.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d like to have some time off from my work and just concentrate on my writing.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Umm… I have to say I don’t have one. There are so many good books in the world.
Author Websites and Profiles
Henna Vale Website
Henna Vale’s Social Media Links
Facebook Profile