AFTER selling 34 million books, Australian romance author Valerie Parv knows a thing or two about writing a love story.
The author has just released a new memoir 34 Million Books that gives an insight into her fascinating world of words.
"I've got the pandemic to thank for it. It's been in my mind for some time," Valerie told The Senior.
The 70-year-old has been published since 14, when the Australian Women's Weekly accepted her first article. Since then, she has penned 90 books, dozens of short fiction, magazine serials and movie scripts and has been published by Mills and Boon.
"The problem is not finding inspiration. The ideas are the easy part. I have more ideas than I have the lifespan to write them," she said.
"Some characters come to me fully rounded out, other characters don't talk to me at all."
Valerie says there's currently a resurgence of interest in romance novels.
"The worst things are in the real world, the more we need the comfort of a romance novel," she said.
Valerie encouraged everyone with a story to write it down, particularly now while we were spending so much time at home.
She said it could even be written as a journal just for a select few to read.
"Just write down the things you think they should know as you won't be here forever to tell the story.
"The most important thing is to get the words down. Kate Grenville said to me that it can all be fixed tomorrow and she's right."
Valerie was lucky enough to experience her own love story with her late husband Paul.
"He was the most interesting man I'd ever met, having been a soldier in two armies as well as a crocodile and buffalo hunter in the Northern Territory soon after he came to Australia. Talk about a ready-made hero.
"I was one of the lucky ones to have met the love of my life so young," she said.
The pair worked on their relationship and had a strong foundation.
"If something was amiss, as hard as it was, we'd talk about it. If you have an issue, don't tell your hairdresser, tell your partner."