Canada-based Mimi Flood writes romantic, steamy and sexy stories that will get your heart pumping with every page you turn. She’s one of the few authors that I’ve connected with over the last year and my favourite book by her at this point is One Night With Frankie. With five books out currently, Mimi is a stay-at-home mom and a full time writer who often dreams up the stories that she’s writing.
And I can’t wait for more people to read her stories—you can find Amazon links to all her books at the end of the interview.
What inspired you to write—was it another author or books you read as you grew up?
I’ve always had an active imagination and would make up stories as a child. But it wasn’t until I was twelve and wrote my first one, that I felt the itch to be a writer. My uncle, an avid reader, read my story (a murder mystery) and encouraged my talent. It was always a hobby, until I went to college and university and decided to turn it into something more serious.
Why did you choose romance as the genre to write in?
I never intentionally chose romance, but the more I wrote, the more I found my stories revolved around love and romance.
Why did you choose to self-publish instead of going the traditional route?
I wanted to traditionally publish, but I’ve always feared rejection. When I first heard about self-publishing, it seemed like the perfect fit since I could work according to my own schedule and without deadlines. There’s a freedom there that as a mom to two kids, fits my life way better.
What’s the best and worst part about being an indie author?
The best part: being your own boss and being independent and free to do as you wish and when you wish.
The worst part: being your own boss and having to do everything yourself.
Do you write full time or is this something you do on the side?
I consider it a full time gig because I’m always thinking about my next story, or a scene. However, as a stay-at-home mom, it’s technically a part time thing until the kids get older!
Other than writing, what is something you enjoy and are really good at?
Kitchen karaoke, photography and sometimes, genealogy
If not romance/or subgenres of romance, what genre would you like to write in?
I would one day love to dabble in suspense or even write a memoir.
What are some of your all time favourite books—ones that you recommend to people or can reread multiple times?
Jane Eyre, Me Before You by Jojo Moyes, The Simple Wild or anything by KA Tucker and anything by Alice Munro. But honestly, I have never reread a book!
What are your top 5 tips or pieces of advice for aspiring authors?
Write because you love it
Use your voice and write what you know
Not everyone will like your writing, but that’s okay (opinions are like assholes, everyone’s got one)
If you want to read it, someone else will too
Find your army and stick with them—the indie world is a jungle and you need the right people at your back.
Can you briefly tell me about the books you’ve published so far?
My books are steamy, some more than others and all revolve around flawed characters searching (and finding) their perfect matches. There are struggles, but they always find their HEA.
Of your books, who is your favourite character?
Jesse Weber. Hands down he was the most fun to write and I love how everyone has a weak spot for him now.
What inspired your published stories? How and when did you come up with these stories and plots?
Some were inspired by dreams (The Way it Was, One Night with Frankie), others came out of thin air (With Reservations: I entered a contest to win a trip to Maldives, The Long Weekend: Jensen Ackles–enough said.)
How much of yourself do you put into these characters?
The heroines share my cynicism, my stubbornness and my feistiness. The heroes share my sarcasm, my romanticism and my sense of humour.
When you write these stories, what are you hoping your readers will feel?
I want them to feel the pull that love has on our heartstrings. I want them to feel the struggle that love puts us through. But most importantly, I want them to feel happy and satisfied.
What is a story/stories that you really want to tell?
One about my family and all our f*ck-ups.
What’s next on the bookshelf for you? Anything you can tell us about a future project?
2022 is a year of refocus and reworking. I have several projects in the works, but I haven’t chosen one to be my next WIP yet. I can hint that there may be a spin-off to the One Night with Frankie novella, but there may also be a completely separate series, too. We shall see…
What are your most and least favourite tropes?
I like any trope so long as it’s a story that reels me in and keeps me captivated.
What are some tropes you want to write in the future?
I’d love to write another age-gap (older woman, younger man) and best friends to lovers, but also marriage in trouble.
What are some topics (sensitive and otherwise) that you think should exist more in romance?
As a type one diabetic, I definitely think we need more representation in romance.
What is your favourite thing about the romance genre?
How varied it can be–love comes in so many diverse, complex forms, there’s a never-ending plethora of material!
THIS OR THAT
Ebooks or audiobooks: Paperbacks!
Historical romance or romantic suspense: Romantic Suspense
Single or Dual POV: Dual POV
Standalones or series: Standalones
Music or silence while writing: Music
Plotter, pantser or plantser: Plantser
Tea or coffee: Coffee
Cold or warm weather: Warm weather
Morning person or night owl: Morning Person
Illustrated cover or photo cover: Photo cover
Follow Mimi on Instagram. All of Mimi’s books are available in Kindle Unlimited!