A q+A with Eve Riley

Hi, lovely readers! Last week I was curious if there was anything that my followers had questioned about what it was like being an author or about the Techboys series itself, and so I reached out on my Instagram to see what people wanted to know. And let me tell you, you sent in some brilliant (and sometimes hilarious) questions, and I had so much fun putting this together.

Thank you for making me laugh, reflect, and sometimes even tear up while answering. Grab a cup of tea and let’s dive in. 

1. If The Techboys were stranded on a desert island, who would survive the longest? 🌴 

This is such a fun question. My first instinct is to say Fabian, because he is practical and clever and would probably start designing a coconut-powered computer within an hour of landing. Janus would absolutely charm the island wildlife, and Adam would be frantically searching for a way to get food delivered by drone. If I had to give one straight answer, I think Fabian would last the longest because his brain is always whirring with solutions.  

But let's be real, they would all drive each other crazy within a week. In the end, they would probably build a raft together just to escape each other’s company, which feels very on brand for them. 

2. Do you ever cry when you write your books? 

Yes, and more often than I would like to admit. I cry when I am writing particularly raw or emotional scenes, especially when the characters are facing heartbreak or when they finally confess their feelings after a long struggle. Sometimes I do not even realize that the tears are running until I stop typing and notice my cheeks are wet.  

My husband has walked in more than once to find me sniffling at my laptop and shaking my head as if I have no control over what is happening. I think it is a good sign though. If I feel it deeply, then I know my readers will too. 

3. Tea or coffee while writing? ☕🍵 

Always coffee. I have a constant supply going (decaf, of course) and I honestly don’t know how I’d get through a writing day without it. There’s usually a mug beside my laptop, another one cooling somewhere nearby, and the faint smell of roasted beans in the air. Tea makes an occasional appearance, but coffee is my true comfort.

4. Which Techboy would you date if you had to choose? 

You really want me to get into trouble with this one, don’t you? The truth is that I love all of them in different ways, but if I absolutely had to choose, I think Janus would be the one. He is chaotic and funny, but underneath the mischief he has a big heart that he does not show to everyone. Maybe that's why I wrote his story first, who knows. He makes me laugh, and I think laughter is one of the most important ingredients in a relationship. That being said, I might regret my choice when his fiery tongue gets me or anyone else for that matter, in trouble. Maybe I should not get involved with dating my characters and just keep writing them instead. 

5. Do you sneak bits of your own life into your stories? 

Quite often. None of my characters are direct copies of people I know, but little quirks, funny lines, and awkward moments often come straight from real life. Friends and family sometimes spot themselves in tiny details and send me messages accusing me of stealing their stories, which I always deny with a smile. The truth is that writers are magpies. We pick up shiny pieces of life from everywhere and tuck them into our stories. If you have ever said something that made me laugh, there is a very good chance it will end up in a book one day. 

6. What is the weirdest place you have ever written a scene?

Okay, I’m not sure I have any truly weird places where I’ve written scenes. But ideas seem to love visiting me in the middle of the night when I should be sleeping. I have woken up at 3 a.m., grabbed my phone, and typed dialogue with one eye open, praying I will be able to read it the next day. A couple of times I’ve not realised where I have written my ideas and find them in random email drafts that I definitely should not send. 

I have also scribbled down entire steamy scenes while standing in the kitchen waiting for the kettle to boil or sitting in the car outside the supermarket. When inspiration hits, I will stop what I am doing and grab whatever I can to get the words out. I guess that is part of the fun of writing - you never quite know when the next great scene will arrive, but you learn to catch it before it gets away. 

7. If your series was turned into a Netflix show, who would you cast? 🎬 

Honestly, I have never really thought about my books as a Netflix show, I just enjoy writing these boys and seeing where they end up. When I am writing, I am just trying to do the characters justice on the page, so thinking about them on a screen feels almost too big to imagine. But if I had to pick someone for Fabian, I think someone rugged and a little rough around the edges would suit him perfectly. Maybe someone like Charlie Hunnam with his gritty Sons of Anarchy vibe  - he has that quiet strength and intensity that I picture when I write Fabian. 

8. If you could swap lives with one of your characters for a day, who would it be? 

I would pick Emma. Backpacking through Thailand and staying in hostels might not sound glamorous, but the adventure calls to me. I would love to wake up in a new city, explore the markets, eat food from a street vendor, and meet people from all over the world. Of course, knowing myself, I would probably get sunburned and complain about the heat before the day was over, but for a little while, I think it would be magical. 

9. Will you ever write outside of romance?

 

Maybe one day. Romance is my first love and I cannot imagine not writing it, but I am also curious about other genres. I would love to try my hand at a cozy mystery with a small town full of quirky characters, or perhaps a slice-of-life novel that explores friendship and family. Whatever I write, I am fairly sure romance will sneak in, because I believe love is at the heart of almost every good story. 

That seems like a good question to end on, so I’ll leave it there. Thank you for sending such wonderful questions. I had the best time answering them, and I hope you had just as much fun reading my replies. Make sure you’re following my Instagram @evemriley to stay up to date with all things Eve Riley, and as always, if there is something you are dying to know, whether it is about my books, my characters, or even my guilty pleasures, let me know. I might just do another Q&A very soon... 

Eve xx