Katherine Belle's journey as an author is a testament to the power of passion, resilience, and the magic of storytelling. With her love for Autumn, all things spooky, and the charm of romance, she crafted Havenwood—a tale that weaves together the warmth of friendship, self-love, and unexpected romance. Katherine's writing is inspired by personal experiences and the people who have touched her life, making her characters and stories resonate deeply with readers. Through her words, Katherine invites us all to chase our dreams, embrace our own unique stories, and find love in the most unexpected places.
What inspired you to write "Havenwood," and how did you develop the themes of found family, adventure, and unexpected love?
There was a lot of inspiration that went into Havenwood but the biggest driving force was my adoration for Autumn and all things spooky. I’ve always loved fall vibes as well as the paranormal and romance - and Havenwood is all of that tied up with a pumpkin spice bow!
The themes came somewhat naturally when the characters started to form in my head. I really wanted my main character, Courtney, to find a loyal friend and so Elsie was created. I wanted Courtney to have a loving, motherly figure and Agnes popped in my head; Courtney needed someone to push her out of her comfort zone so Milo was the person for the job.
There’s the love we have for our friends, the love we have for ourselves and then there’s the love we have for our partners. Havenwood is Courtney’s story of finding all that love in one place.
Can you share a bit about your journey as a writer and how you came to write this particular book?
I’ve loved writing since I can remember! In elementary school I remember writing romance stories between my water bottle and my desk-neighbors water bottle (lol).
I did not think Havenwood would be the first book I would complete/publish. I was actually 35k words into a different work in progress when I had the calling to write Havenwood! So I sat down for NaNoWriMo, banged out my first rough draft and Havenwood was born.
What personal experiences or challenges influenced the story and characters in "Havenwood"?
I think we’ve all had a rough breakup, like the one Courtney experiences in her prologue, and dreamt about starting over somewhere fresh, meeting a smokin’ hot guy and following your ambitions in the process. Havenwood is the story of chasing that fantasy and the amazing people you’d meet while rebuilding yourself.
How do you manage the writing process alongside other aspects of your life?
It can definitely be difficult trying to juggle life and writing! When writing Havenwood, I would work during the day, spend the evening with my (now) husband and write into the early hours of the morning while he worked night shift. Then wake up and do it all over again!
What struggles did you face while writing "Havenwood," and how did you overcome them?
Struggles for me included understanding a characters motivation but trying to translate it onto the page. It’s hard to remember your characters live inside your head and no one else’s so readers don’t understand the reason behind a characters actions unless you tell them.
How has your mental health been impacted by your writing career, and what strategies do you use to maintain it?
As someone diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder and PTSD, mental health is something I greatly value. To help maintain good mental health practices I take every Monday off from social media and marketing, this gives me an opportunity to check in with myself, assess what needs I have/haven’t met for myself and gives me the space to evaluate how to better meet those needs going into the week ahead of me. As an author, you open yourself up to criticism and sometimes it’s okay to take a step back from that, especially if it impacts your mental health.
Can you describe a specific moment or scene in "Havenwood" that was particularly meaningful or cathartic for you to write?
Absolutely but be warned there are spoilers ahead! A scene that was meaningful to me was at the end of the novel when Courtney sees Martha, her ancestor, happily watching her open her bookstore. This scene was particularly tear jerking for me because it signified both Berrycloth women getting their long awaited happy endings.
Especially for Martha, who had lost her life due of her husband’s false accusations of witchcraft. As I wrote the scene, I imagined how empowering it must have felt for her to see her female descendant thriving, running her own business, surrounded with love that Martha never had. It really made me emotional.
How do you deal with writer's block or creative challenges, and what advice do you have for others facing similar issues?
Honestly I step away! I find my best inspiration when doing things I love: traveling, reading, going to get a little treat. The more real world you consume, the more people and personalities you’re exposed to, the more experiences you live through then the more inspiration you’ll have when developing that character, that town, etc. And giving yourself a break is always a good idea!
What role does community play in your writing process, and how do you connect with other writers and readers?
Community is HUGE for me. I started my BookTok journey in 2023 and through social media I met one of my closest author friends, G. R. Luna, who has been there for me through EVERYTHING Havenwood related. The good, the bad and everything in between! I was also so incredibly lucky to connect with AMAZING people through the ARC reader process, many of which continue to support me to this day.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors who want to write stories that reflect their unique perspectives and experiences?
Don’t be afraid to be you. It doesn’t matter if your experience or perspective isn’t what is “in” right now because what’s popular is constantly changing. Write what matters to you because every story is worth telling.
How do you balance the demands of writing with self-care and other responsibilities?
I’m definitely still learning that balance! I tend to stretch myself too thin which can result in burn out. I’ve been trying to set boundaries with myself regarding what time I’ll allow myself to stay up and write until and that’s a step in a healthier direction!
How do you handle criticism or feedback on your work, and what have you learned from it?
As an author our stories are our babies that we pour our hearts and souls into and it can be difficult to hear criticism or receive bad reviews. But sometimes it’s helpful to remind myself that I won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but I’m someone’s shot of bourbon and that’s okay! All that to say it’s important to remember you can’t please everyone and not all criticism is a bad thing.
What are your future goals as an author, and how do you plan to achieve them?
My next goal as an author is to set up my own book signing event or attend a convention! I’d absolutely love to connect with my readers and other authors on a deeper level and I think that would be an awesome way to go about it.
What message or feeling do you hope readers take away from "Havenwood"?
I hope readers of Havenwood take away the message that it’s important to love yourself first.
IG and TikTok: @authorkatherinebelle
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