Forgotten Love Stories #1: “Runt of the Litter” (Author Q&A)

And we begin a series of spotlights on some of my standalone novels, which I feel often fade in the face of series. Scroll down for a link to the cut scenes.

Here are the three covers "Runt of the Litter" has ever had... Well, cover 1 never made it past the beta phase, really, but I still think is pretty, if not very commercial. I like that in cover 3 (the one done by a pro) I finally got some PoC rep, even if we could not find an indigenous Aussie looking model for Lyall (who is half white, so guess I'll buy).

1.     What inspired you to write Runt of the Litter?

This one came to be thanks to Claudia Lezar, and her prompt was simply: Older omega, younger disabled/overweight alpha.

I remember the first line came to me very clearly, like all I needed to do was pluck it out of the air.

‘Runt of the litter’ was actually one of the nicest things he got called by his siblings.

My original intention was to write a drabble or at most as short story, not over 70,000 words. But Lyall, the 19-year-old alpha who didn’t grow properly since his umbilical cord got tangled and he didn’t get enough nutrients, and Tristan, the tall handsome omega who refused to submit just took over my brain.

2. How does this story fit into your universe or themes you often explore?

In a lot of my stories, omegas are in extremely vulnerable positions due to both their biology and their society. Here that is not the case at all, Tristan is older (32), more knowledgeable and very much in control of his biology to the point where he’s dedicating his life to helping other omegas understand how to manage their cycles better.

Lyall, the alpha, is lost and thinks he will never amount to much. I loved flipping the dynamic like this and showing an omega who got to have it all, though of course Tristan’s life isn’t perfect and there is one thing he’s told himself he cannot have: an alpha lover who will accept him for who he is.

We all have something we have convinced ourselves we don’t deserve or can’t achieve and often it takes other people shaking us and pointing up at the horizon for us to see our true potential and reach for it.

2.     Why include an epistolary structure?

I have always loved epistolary novels, there is just something very special about getting to know someone through their words (says the writer ;p) and a particular type of intimacy that comes from putting your thoughts down on paper. Like fiction writing, it feels very much like putting a message in a bottle and hoping someone will pick it up and read it and see you. You know there is no guarantee of that so when you get a letter back and the person does? When someone emails and highlight your favourite part? Damn, that’s amazing.

Being seen through words is just a different shape of being loved.

I’d have really enjoyed living in a time of letters, I think, because I love emailing back and forth with friends and family and I’m very good at responding. I think maybe it’s my own need to be listened to, the same impulse that makes me type these words and whole novels. I love writing for its own sake, to tell myself a story, but sharing it with readers is the chef’s kiss for me, what completes the circuit.

4. What was the most emotionally intense scene to write?

I think that was definitely the scene where Tristan, who’s managed to regulate his cycles to the point where he feels safe, actually goes into heat in his hotel room. It felt very much like me pulling the rug from under his feet… and it fit perfectly. Because life is never truly under our control, and love most of all, cannot be had without some risks and openness.

5. Which character surprised you most while writing?

Tristan. I had a clearer idea of woobie Lyall, who as he is aware of his alpha privilege isn’t one to complain but who is very down on himself, but I didn’t quite get in what ways Tristan would be vulnerable and in what ways he was too scared to open up to love.

6. Can you share a fun behind-the-scenes moment or a deleted scene idea?

If you have read Runt, maybe you missed the cut scenes? They are here.

7. If you could revisit these characters, what would you write next?

I feel Lyall’s and Tristan’s story is done, but I’m working on Kauri’s story and one day I might write the FMM with a female alpha and two male omegas from that pack Lyall visits in his travels. And of course I wrote Abel’s story too in Paper Kisses (link to discounted bundle including both books and the audiobook for Paper Kisses).

Do you have more questions? Ask in the comments!