Interview with Australian Author – Gemma Hutchison
“Australian Authors” – Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
Gemma – I’m Gemma — South Aussie author, chaos enthusiast, and proud wrangler of three dogs who are definitely plotting against me. My life is basically organised chaos: if I’m not scribbling down fantasy worlds at 2am, I’m on an oval trying to convince a pack of under-10s girls’ footy players that mud wrestling isn’t actually a training drill, or running around with Girl Guides who could probably overthrow a small government if I let them.
Something not many people know? I’m dyslexic. For years I thought that meant I couldn’t be a writer — now I’ve got two published books, a lot of caffeine in my bloodstream, and a very stubborn streak that refuses to quit. Spelling might defeat me daily, but storytelling? That’s where the chaos really pays off.
“Australian Authors” – What made you want to become a writer?
Gemma – What made me want to become a writer? Honestly — getting hit with a completely random brain tumour diagnosis as an adult. Nothing makes you rethink your life choices faster than a doctor saying, “So… there’s something in your head that shouldn’t be there.”
It was a huge wake-up call. I realised I didn’t want to waste time waiting for the “perfect moment” to chase what I loved. Writing had always been in the back of my mind — all those stories and chaotic worlds piling up — and that diagnosis shoved me straight into it. Dyslexia or not, I figured if my brain wanted to betray me like that, the least I could do was use it to tell the stories living rent-free up there.
“Australian Authors” – What gives you inspiration for your book(s)?
Gemma – Pretty much everything. A random song lyric, an overheard conversation, a weird dream at 3am — my brain hoards chaos and then turns it into stories. I’m one of those people who can be out walking the dogs or at footy training and suddenly think, “What if this was a scene in a book?” and then I’m gone.
A lot of my inspiration also comes from asking “what if?” What if the worst thing happened and you survived it? What if love was both dangerous and irresistible? What if stubbornness could save you when nothing else could?
Basically, my books are fuelled by equal parts imagination, daydreaming, and a healthy dose of chaos.
“Australian Authors” – Now, the big question, are you working on another book?
Gemma – Oh, always. My brain doesn’t really do “off switch” — the characters are far too loud for that. I’ve got another book in the works right now, full of the usual mix of chaos, sharp edges, and probably too many late-night plot twists.
I can’t say too much yet (spoilers!), but yes — there’s definitely more coming. Let’s just say my coffee intake is high, my sleep schedule is questionable, and my Google search history would probably get me arrested. All part of the process.
“Australian Authors” – What genres do you prefer to write in?
Gemma – I love writing in the messy middle of fantasy and romance — where there’s magic, danger, and a whole lot of feelings. One series leans into romantasy with fae courts, politics, and sweeping worldbuilding. The other? A darker, reverse-harem romance that’s pure chaos, sharp edges, and way too much tension to be healthy.
Basically, if it’s got magic, love, danger, or unhinged characters making terrible choices — I’m there. I like stories that are intense, a little wild, and not afraid to get their hands dirty.
“Australian Authors” – What do you think about the ebook revolution?
Gemma – Honestly? I think it’s brilliant. Ebooks have made reading so much more accessible — you can carry an entire library in your pocket, buy a book at 2am in your pyjamas, and no one has to know if it’s a high-fantasy epic or absolute smut. (Mine’s usually both.)
That said, I’ll always have a soft spot for physical books — nothing beats the smell of paper or seeing your own book on a shelf. But the ebook revolution has opened doors for indie authors like me, and it means readers can find stories they might never have stumbled across in a bookstore.
So really, I’m pro both: ebooks for the convenience, paperbacks for the chaos of dropping them on your face when you fall asleep reading.
“Australian Authors” – Do you start a book with a definite plot, or do you just write?
Gemma – Plot? I’ve heard of her.
Honestly, I start with characters and vibes. A line of dialogue, a scene, or just the feeling of “this could get messy in the best way.” From there, I let the chaos take over and the story unravels as I write. My characters are stubborn little gremlins anyway — half the time they ignore my plans and drag me somewhere completely different.
That said, I do keep a loose roadmap in the back of my head. I know the big emotional hits, the starting point, and where I want to end — everything in between is usually me winging it at 2am with too much coffee.
So the short answer? A bit of both… but mostly chaos.
“Australian Authors” – Pen or type writer or computer?
Gemma – Computer, definitely. My spelling is questionable enough that I need autocorrect just to survive. If I tried to rely on a typewriter or pen, even I wouldn’t be able to read my own chicken scratch.
That said, I do keep a notebook on me at all times — it’s full of half-legible scribbles, random dialogue, and ideas that usually hit at the worst possible moment. It looks like chaos to anyone else, but it makes perfect sense to me (most of the time). The real magic happens once I wrangle all that mess onto my laptop.
“Australian Authors” – Do your characters seem to hijack the story, or are you always in control?
Gemma – Oh, my characters hijack the story constantly. I’ll sit down thinking, “Right, we’re going this way,” and then suddenly they’ve decided to stab someone, kiss the wrong person, or reveal a secret I didn’t even know they had. I’m basically just along for the ride at this point.
I like to pretend I’m in control — I’ll sketch out a loose plan, some big emotional beats, maybe even the ending. But my characters? They’re stubborn little gremlins. Half the time, I’m just chasing after them with coffee, trying to keep up while they rewrite the book under my nose.
So, in short: I think I’m in control… until they remind me I’m not.
“Australian Authors” – Are your characters based on real people or completely imagined?
Gemma – Mostly imagined… but with little stolen bits of real life sprinkled in. I don’t base characters directly on people I know (too risky — they’d probably recognise themselves and come for me), but I definitely borrow quirks, habits, or even a line of something funny someone once said.
The heart of my characters is completely fictional — they’re their own chaotic selves — but the small details, the way someone taps their fingers when they’re nervous or the way a friend once rolled their eyes? Those things sneak in. Real life is full of inspiration, and my brain is a magpie for it.
So: imagined, but with a dash of real-world chaos thrown in.
“Australian Authors” – Have you thought about joining with another author to write a book?
Gemma – I have thought about it, yeah! Writing with another author sounds like equal parts fun and chaos. The idea of blending two completely different brains, styles, and characters into one story? Could be absolute magic… or absolute mayhem. Which, honestly, sounds kind of perfect.
At the moment, I’ve been focused on building my own worlds (and wrangling my very bossy characters), but I’d never say no to the right collab. Writing’s already wild enough on your own — add another author and it’d be double the stubbornness, double the creativity, and probably double the caffeine bill.
And welcome to the madness of writing! Being “new” just means you’ve got a whole adventure ahead of you — trust me, it’s chaotic, but it’s worth it.
“Australian Authors” – Who are your favourite authors?
Gemma – That’s always such a hard question, because my list changes depending on the day (and my mood). But some favourites that never leave the list are Sarah J. Maas for her sheer ability to make me scream at 3am, Jennifer L. Armentrout because her banter and romance are chef’s kiss, and Leigh Bardugo for her gorgeous, gritty worldbuilding.
I’ve also got a soft spot for indie authors — the ones who are out there building magic from scratch and throwing their chaos into the world. They constantly inspire me.
Basically, my “favourites” shelf is a mix of big names, indies, and whoever most recently broke my heart with a plot twist I didn’t see coming.
“Australian Authors” – What’s your advice to Authors? On writing? Publishing? Marketing?
Gemma – On writing:
Just write the damn thing. Don’t wait for the “perfect time,” don’t overthink it, and definitely don’t edit every sentence to death before moving on. Get the messy draft down — chaos first, polish later.
On publishing:
Do your research, know your options (traditional vs indie), and choose the path that fits you. Both have pros and cons, and neither is “easy.” Be prepared for rejection, delays, and the occasional “what am I even doing?” spiral. That’s normal.
On marketing:
This is the part no one warns you about: it’s basically a second full-time job. But here’s the thing — readers connect with people, not just books. Be yourself. Share the chaos, the behind-the-scenes, the funny bits of your life. Yes, talk about your book, but don’t be afraid to let people see you. (Also: TikTok is both a blessing and a curse. Proceed with caffeine.)
Biggest advice? Stubbornness beats doubt. Your words are worth sharing, and there’s an audience out there waiting for them — you just have to keep pushing through the chaos to find them.
