Summer Reading Interview 2025

Grace Harkness

Tell us about yourself, who you are, what you write!

Hi! My name is Grace, and I’ve been writing for half of my life. I love all things romance, especially with a thrilling/mysterious subplot. People tell me I have an old soul, which is reflected in my writing and mannerisms.

What inspired you to become an author?

I first started reading fanfic on Wattpad when I was much too young to be doing so, and as I heard all those fascinating stories, I decided I wanted to give it a try. I had so many ideas in my head that I needed to get them onto paper (or a phone screen).

What is your favorite part of the writing process? Least favorite?

My favorite part of the writing process is probably the first draft, when every plot point in my head starts to coalesce into a magnificent story. My least favorite is the editing portion, even though I still look forward to it for a time.

How do you handle writer's block? Similarly, do you ever get 'reader's block?'

When it rains, it pours. I’m convinced I don’t just experience writer’s block, but full-body burnout. To deal with it, I put my projects aside—one of the hardest things to do, as writing is my passion—and focus on other things. I find with time, it becomes easier to approach the drafts again. As for reading, yes, I do experience reader’s block, arguably after every single book I read and enjoy. Nothing can excite me to remove myself from one world and drop into another, but I push past it by…you guessed it…reading.

What gave you the idea for Of Archangels?

I was watching Twilight and realized I’d never attempted to write a love triangle or reverse harem-type fiction before. The idea immediately excited me, and I put the mafia twist on it simply because I think it’s cool and ambiguous enough to make my own, just like a vampire/werewolf universe.

When you write, do you have tropes in mind, or do you figure out what they are afterwards? Is there a trope you find yourself writing a lot?

I try not to write because I like certain tropes. I find they develop naturally and it’s better to just let them happen than to force them. I do notice a lot of “touch her and die” aspects in my romance works, as well as probably a few others, but I have an easier time writing when I zoom out and find the tropes after the story is fleshed out.

How do you go about creating your characters?

I picture real people. Actors and actresses, mainly. I draw inspiration from their distinct features and then twist them so that my characters don’t come across as supermodels and McDreamys.

What made you decide to set Of Archangels in the modern day as opposed to further in the past?

Honestly, at the time I started drafting Of Archangels, I wasn’t in a headspace where I was willing to do a whole lot of the necessary research to make my novel authentic. By setting it in the present, I gave myself the freedom to do what I wanted with the mafia aspect as opposed to following real-life events that people can fact check.

What does your worldbuilding process look like?

I struggle the most with worldbuilding, and so I feel as if my method is cheating. What I do is picture all of the houses I’ve lived in or have plenty of memories in, as well as the towns and restaurants, etc., and describe them in different ways. This way, they’re not copy-and-pasted, but they don’t require flipping back to previous chapters to make sure I don’t contradict myself; everything I need is in my mind.

What is your current read or next up on your TBR?

My current read is a thriller by Robyn Harding called The Drowning Woman. It was chosen by a member of my book club, and it’s really gripping so far.

Tell the people what you're working on and what you've got coming up!

Of Archangels is a new adult romance centered around Dakota and Jay, friends from high school who reconnect in college. Dakota is unaware that Jay’s family is associated with the mafia, and his handsome older brother is the one to open her eyes for her, make her aware that something is amiss. But when their rival family moves into town, Dakota meets the stone-cold but dreamy Trent on campus, and he spills the big secret. Archangels is complete but has yet to see any beta readers, so I’m working on editing the third draft a final time before sending out copies. My current project is a romantic thriller surrounding two best friends and an unseemingly attractive male main character. I’m so excited to share more about it in my posts!