Bella Andre - From Songwriter to Bestselling Author

Bella Andre is an author who needs no introduction. Having sold over 5 million books so far, her novels have been number one bestsellers around the world and were translated into ten languages. Today, Andre reveals how she actually started out as a songwriter, what she thinks the secret to true, lasting love is and gives us some insights in her book, The Way You Look Tonight.

Please give us a short introduction to The Way You Look Tonight

THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT features Private Investigator Rafe Sullivan and the girl next door all grown up, Brooke Jansen. He catches bad guys. She makes delicious gourmet chocolates. And after being apart for fifteen years, they’re about to fall head over heels for each other!

Besides writing, what other secret skills do you have?

I actually began as a songwriter and musician — I wrote songs and played shows until my late twenties. And then, one day I got an idea for a book and pulled out a notebook to start writing it down. Three months later, I had written my first book (which is now published as SPARKS FLY under my “sweet” pen name Lucy Kevin). I first got the idea for my multi-million selling “The Sullivans” series in 2010. I absolutely love what I do, and haven’t looked back since!

How does it feel to, as an indie author, share a top 10 list with literary giants such as JK Rowling, Stephen King and James Patterson?

Each and every day, I am so thankful to my readers all over the world who have welcomed my Sullivans, Morrisons, and Mavericks onto their eReaders and into their hearts—because they are the ones who make every single bit of the success I’ve enjoyed possible! Hearing how much my stories have come to mean to them is what keeps me going. I love writing, but I love even more how much of a difference I’ve been able to make through my stories!

What do you think it is that makes Rafe and Brooke such a good romantic match?

I think somewhere deep inside we all carry torches for our first crushes. It’s always nice to think that maybe those early loves could turn into so much more!

You have a talent for weaving your Sullivans stories together. How hard is it to keep track of everything after having written so many books in the series?

For me, the Sullivans feel like real, living, breathing people—not just characters in books. I do have a spreadsheet with information about each of them (ages, kids, jobs, eye color, pets, etc), but I am so invested in my characters' lives that I really enjoy getting to write “reunion” scenes with them in each book. Being a private investigator, Rafe is very skeptical about true, lasting love. 

What would you say is the secret to a love that lasts?

Ahh, that’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? I think the secret to lasting love isn’t really a secret at all. True love needs to be acknowledged and celebrated each day. Never take the one you love for granted, but instead appreciate them for the gift they are.

Rafe is a bit of a bad boy (in Brooke's eyes, at least). What would you say makes bad boys so attractive?

Doesn’t every girl dream of taming the bad boy? I think there’s something so irresistibly sexy about a man who knows what he wants in life and isn’t afraid to grab it—especially when that something is you. Are you one of those authors who writes multiple books at a time, or do you finish the book you were busy with first, even if a new idea is nagging at the back of your mind? I usually have several ideas in my head at once, but do my best to focus on one book at a time. Sometimes I’ll write scenes for an upcoming book to make sure that I don’t forget my new ideas.

Do you have any interesting writing habits? What does your average writing day look like?

I can write anywhere, anytime. And I usually listen to the same song over and over while writing each book. Where do you like to go for inspiration?Inspiration is everywhere! My friends, my family, my pets, and—of course—my readers all inspire me on a daily basis.

What are you working on right now? When can we expect the next Sullivans book?

In addition to more Sullivans, I’m busy writing the next installments in the Morrisons and the Maverick Billionaires series. I’ve also been having a blast writing books as Lucy Kevin, my “sweet” alter ego. The next Sullivan SINCE I FELL FOR YOU just went on pre-order too. It will be available October 12!

Where can our readers find more of your work or interact with you?

The best place to start is on my website, www.bellaandre.com. There you can read my blog, sign up for my new release newsletter (and learn more about the secrets behind the Sullivans once you do!), and click to connect with me on all my favorite social networks like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Goodreads. I also have a fantastic street team at www.facebook.com/groups/bella.andre. Hope to see you there!