Discover the Inspirations Behind Her Heartwarming Romances
Olivia Gaines discusses how travel and personal experiences influence her writing, balancing humor and warmth, and exploring love’s
complexities in her acclaimed contemporary romance novels.
In the world of contemporary romance, few authors capture the essence of love and human connection as vividly as Olivia Gaines. A USA Today Best Selling author and recipient of the prestigious Emma Award, Olivia has enchanted readers with her heartwarming tales that blend humor, warmth, and the complexities of real-life relationships. Her series, including The Technicians, The Blakemore Files, and Modern Mail-Order Brides, have become beloved one-click reads for thousands of bibliophiles around the globe. Olivia’s ability to weave authentic narratives that resonate with readers is a testament to her talent and dedication to her craft.
Olivia Gaines is not just a master storyteller; she is a literary force who brings her own experiences and passions into her work. Her love for travel and exploration is evident in the rich, diverse settings she creates, transporting readers to vibrant locales that pulse with life and authenticity. Whether she’s drawing inspiration from the bustling streets of Colombia or the serene landscapes of Costa Rica, Olivia’s stories are imbued with a sense of place that enhances the emotional depth of her characters’ journeys. When she’s not crafting her next bestseller, Olivia enjoys quilting, journaling, and spending time with her family in Hephzibah, Georgia. Her commitment to exploring the intricacies of love and second chances makes her a cherished voice in contemporary romance, and her works continue to inspire and captivate readers worldwide.
How do your personal experiences and travels influence the rich, diverse settings and characters in your stories, and what specific locations or moments have had the most profound impact on your writing?
I love this question, and I can confidently say my visits to Colombia and Costa Rica were highlights in my traveling life as an author; especially, since I was in the middle of writing Yuñior, a story set in Colombia. Honestly, being on the ground, hearing the language, tasting the food and sweating in the South American heat brings an authenticity to my words which makes recreating the imagery for the reader more vivid. Each of the states, or cities where my stories are set, I have travelled or spent time meandering down the sidewalks and talking to the residents. When I write the stories, recalling the places and local fares, readers connect more with adventure because if they don’t know the places, they sure want to visit and find out for themselves.
In crafting heartwarming tales of blossoming relationships, how do you balance the elements of humour and warmth with the complexities and challenges that your characters face?
In my heart, I understand the readers are presenting me with the gift of their time. The last thing I ever want to do, is waste it. Each story presents a history lesson, a moral dilemma, and kookie characters whom you can easily be related to by marriage or by blood. It is the everyday-ness of the characters which makes them relatable as well as the life scenarios of adults finding their way to relationships that make sense. A balance is struck between gut wrenching laughter and tender moments that either makes one sigh or feel the need to cry. The romance and humor scales are equally measured for each book, which sometimes have readers laughing until they cry.
Your writing often explores the journey of love beyond the simple declaration of I love you. How do you perceive the evolution of love and commitment in your own life, and how does this perception shape the narratives you create?
Being in love is easy. Understanding love when the person you have trusted most in the world disappoints you, or you see a weakness in them you didn’t know existed, that…is the true measure of love. Waking up every day, looking that person in the eyes without losing respect for their humanity, and witnessing a shortcoming in a moment that tried who they believed themselves to be as a person − that is love. The narratives I create are based on people who want to love and be loved in return, rather than fantasy book boyfriends or women who can’t balance a checkbook. In their narration, we find the authentic story.
The themes of rediscovery and second chances are prevalent in your works, such as in Through the Woods. What personal philosophies or experiences drive your belief in the power of second chances and the enduring nature of love?
We seldom get it right the first time. Occasionally, or through sheer luck or brave stupidity, an instance presents itself and we achieve nirvana. The lightening in a bottle doesn’t happen often because we are prone to failure, but the humanness in us, says try again. Our frail hearts encourage us to go back, retrace the steps, and this time, be honest. The honesty we finally allow ourselves to have with our own egos, makes us vulnerable, and the vulnerability makes us open, the openness, dare I say, makes us loveable. Justin & Jazzy are presented such openness in the visits to grandmother’s house in the story and find a way to make it work.
As a writer of contemporary romances, what societal or cultural changes have you observed over the years, and how have these changes influenced the way you portray relationships and romantic dynamics in your books?
One of the major cultural and societal changes which have occurred in the last fifty years is the acceptance of interracial marriages. In the past, sightings of couples in this area were usually associated with military families. People are moving past skin colours and are ready to love and create families. Believe it or not, marriage rates are up and folks are connecting based on shared values versus, oh my gosh, you’re hot. I write stories about couples who want to have families and build a life together, not just be married. The partners in my novels share responsibilities making non-traditional roles work for the happily ever after they seek.
You have achieved significant acclaim and success with series like The Technicians and The Blakemore Files. How do you sustain your creative inspiration and continue to develop fresh, engaging storylines while maintaining the essence that resonates with your readers?
I drink. Plus, the characters are real to me. In my head, these are real people, with real-life issues and problems, who have to evolve in order to grow. The same applies to my life as a writer. The stories must stay fresh or I get bored and no longer want to write. When I plot, I think of a moving image. It becomes my responsibility to mentally capture all the details to share with the reader, so they can see what I see. At least that’s what I try to do in between Friday margaritas.
