A New Story

The other day I heard an author talking on a podcast about that tricky balance between writing what we love and writing what will sell. His advice was to think about it like a Venn diagram. On the left you have stories that will sell, often referred to as writing to market, and on the right, you have the stories you love reading and writing. The circles cross over in the middle, and that’s where the magic happens—stories you want to write that will sell.

You won’t be surprised to hear that most of my ideas sit in the right circle. Okay, fine, far right of the right circle. Actually, let’s just add a third circle and call it “Tanya’s Happy Place”.

Breathing Water is a story birthed from my happy place. Actually, ew. Let’s try that again. Breathing Water is an idea that’s been fermenting in my happy place for some time.

I think that’s worse.

Breathing Water is a tentative dipping of the toe into paranormal romance.

I know what you’re thinking: Paranormal romance is huge and it does sell. True. And mermaid romance is absolutely a viable niche within the sub-genre. But because I have opted for a contemporary spin, sans the underwater kingdom, fishtails and fairy tale vibe—I find myself writing in a niche within a niche within a niche.

I’m calling it paranormal ondine new adult contemporary fantasy romance. Nice and simple. I think this genre’s going to be huge.

The idea for this story came to me a year or so ago when I was at the beach, imagining ondines swimming undetected around me. By the time I left the water, I had main characters and a plot. I immediately shared the idea with my husband, who sat there speechless and a little uncomfortable, clearly blown away by the workings of my brilliant mind. I told him if I was still excited by the idea when I finished The Companion series, I would write it.

Now here I am, 88,000 words down and edits underway.

The best part about this project is I’ve given myself permission to just write the story I want to tell. No pressure. All fun. Who needs boundaries?

*insert crazy laughter*

So what can readers expect?

Expect to fall in love with Ella and Dax—big time. If you don’t believe in soul mates, you will by the end of this book. There’s an intensity to their love that’s amplified by the paranormal aspect of the story.

You can also expect lots of dance and music references, because our heroine is a ballet dancer who’s had to walk away from her career. She’s trying to figure out what life looks like without it. She’s seeking balance, a new version of normal—and some form of happiness away from the stage.

Cue local construction worker, Dax Coburn.

*sighs*

Who better to help Ella transition to a normal life than a Melbourne hottie who isn’t human? That’s right. Dax has a big secret. He’s part of the Bass Strait pod, a local group of ondines who’ve evolved over centuries to live on land. As a protector of Australian waters, he’s on a mission to take down Bass Fuel, the company responsible for the leaky rig in their territory.

And guess which former-ballerina just landed a job there?

Awwwwwwkwaaaaaaard.

Paranormal bad boy? Check.

Soul mates? Check.

Australian setting? Check.

Young lovers throwing a shrimp on the barbie? Ah, that’s a no.

Angsty romance? Check.

Quirky side characters? Check.

Humour aplenty? Check.

Breathing Water is a standalone paranormal ondine new adult contemporary fantasy romance coming in 2020.