Kenna's Bookshelf

Ruby Hayes

Hello my lovely readers! I am so excited to share my interview of the week, with the fabulous Ruby Hayes!

What is your writing process like?

Messy! LOL! 🫣 But beautifully chaotic!

I always start with a trope-licious idea and a title that sparks excitement. Then, the fun begins. I start tossing in all the random things that make me *ahem* clench my thighs—an elevator scene, some kind of fetish, a one night stand, teasing/tension… and dare I say, masked men? 🔥 These are just a few, of course. Once I have my “harem of irresistible ideas,” I figure out how to weave them into the story. And this gets tricky because you have to make it unique, something a reader might not have already read a million times.

From there, I create a loose outline and start filling in the details. But honestly, my brain is like a browser with 47 tabs open at once, so sometimes a future scene pops into my head, and I have to chase that inspiration before it disappears into the abyss! 😆 Then I backpedal, rearrange, and somehow, after rounds of mental gymnastics and caffeine-fueled rewrites, everything comes together into something cohesive.

And just when I think I’m done… I start re-reading. And wow, cue the endless tweaking. I add extra spice, humor, drama, banter, or I completely toss out a chapter and start from scratch, making sure every moment makes the reader want to keep going. 🫠

For example, my next book in the Game on Daddies series? It all started with my love for masked men. 😍 I knew I wanted to do a spin-off with Leighton, Ava’s best friend, and what better setup than a Stanley Cup victory masquerade ball? But of course, I had to make it extra—so now we have three masked silver foxes, a surprise pregnancy, and a delicious workplace romance. ❤️‍🔥 Are you screaming yet? Because I am. And that’s all I’m saying for now. You’ll have to wait for the release! 😉

K: First off, Ruby, amazing energy I love this. Secondly, how dare you make me wait. Rude.

What is your favorite part of writing?

R: Letting loose! Writing is like the ultimate emotional release valve. It’s my favorite outlet to vent all the tension, explore my deepest desires, craft stories that make your heart flutter, and create fake boyfriends who not only make you smile, but leave your… panties a little wet. Who doesn’t want that? 😅 There’s something so liberating about channeling those moments of creativity that allow me to give women a temporary escape—a break from the daily grind, where they can immerse themselves in a world full of fun, fantasy, and fabulous moments. Whether it’s sexy, sassy, funny, dramatic, or just a little bit over-the-top, writing is where I get to bring ideas to life.

K: Ruby. Girl. You’re crazy. I love it, give me more.

Where do you get your ideas from?

R: Ironically, it all started with the Hallmark Channel, Lifetime, and the adult entertainment industry. I love the emotional pull of romance movies, the drama, and the powerful effect of *ahem* porn (minus the cheesy dialogue and cheesy scene build-up). I wanted to blend those worlds together. After reading a few steamy books, I realized there’s an entire community of women who enjoy exploring their fantasies through stories, rather than watching them. I eventually dove in. I’m pretty sure that’s how the infamous quote, “I don’t watch porn. I read it. Like a fucking lady” was born! 

K: Please do not let this be the post my mom reads.

What is your favorite book you’ve written?

R: Well, I’m a debut author with only two books under my belt. A third one is on the way. I’ve had fun writing both books but ask me again in a year! 😉

Why do you write the books that you write?

R: By day, I’m a polished professional in the corporate world, but after hours, I want my naughty side to come out to play. Writing gives me the perfect escape to explore the fun, flirty, and downright irresistible stories that might not fit into day job.

R: Sounds like me, but going from being on campus to being at home in my pajamas. I knew we vibed.

What made you want to be a writer?

R: I love writing, and if this takes off, I’m all in. My goal is to ditch my day job and build my own team. I don’t want to work alongside a CEO—I want to be the CEO. 

K: Queen. Literal queen.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

R: Oh man. Too many across too many genres. T.L. Smith, Meghan Quinn, Emily Rath, Lucy Score, Evie Sterling, Jenny Proctor, Rebel Bloom, Kai Lessy, TL Swan, and so many more

K: How do you feel social media has impacted our bookish community?

R: There’s so much to unpack here. 

Social media allows authors to directly connect with readers. It allows authors to build a community, engage with fans, receive feedback immediately, and showcase their personality, helping readers connect with them as a person, not just an author. 

While social media is a powerful tool for authors to gain recognition, it takes more than just posting all the time. You need influencers to get their hands on your book, and that’s easier said than done. It takes time, energy, and strategy to create content that resonates and gets shared. But once you find those influencers, it unlocks a world of opportunities. It’s a complete game changer.

It’s also great if you can find someone to help with the workload, but the costs of social media management can be tough, especially for a new author. And even when you put in the effort, immediate results are hard to come by.

But once you build that following, it can be worth it. Readers will start flocking to your pages, eagerly awaiting your next release. And with so many authors already in the mix, going viral feels like an uphill battle. Still, the right connections and perseverance can turn that dream into reality!

K: How do you find or make time to write?

R: Deep breath on this one. My days are long—really long. The corporate world doesn’t believe in 8-to-5 schedules, and neither does my role. Some nights, I’m working until 10 p.m. before I can finally switch gears and step into my writing persona. But here’s the thing—I have to make time.

If that means staying up from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m., then dragging myself out of bed at 6 a.m. to do it all over again, so be it. Weekends? Those are for family mostly, which means writing takes a backseat. So, when do I sleep? I don’t. I survive on stolen 20-minute cat naps—in my car, in my chair, wherever I can squeeze them in. The struggle is real, but so is the passion that keeps me going!

K: Did you self publish or traditionally publish? How was that experience?

R: I self-publish, and let me tell you—it’s a lot of work. There are so many moving parts, from writing and editing to formatting, marketing, and everything in between. Each step demands time, energy, and focus, and it all falls on me.

My dreams is to take off and build a team that can handle the heavy lifting so I can focus on what I love most—writing the stories that set my soul… and core on fire. 😉

K: What advice would you give to a new author?

R: It’s hard—there’s no sugarcoating that. There will be moments when all the blood, sweat, and tears you’ve poured into your work don’t seem to pay off. Reviewers will tear you apart, even ones who have no business critiquing books. But here’s what truly matters: you will find your audience. And once you do, the sky’s the limit.

There are millions of readers out there, each drawn to different stories, different voices. Don’t give up. Find your people—author communities, supportive friends, and mentors who’ve been where you are. Learn from those who struggled but pushed through to success.

And when you feel like throwing your laptop out the window (because trust me, you will), remember this—every author has been in your shoes. Take a deep breath, hold onto the passion that got you here, and power through. The road to success is rarely easy, but it’s always worth it.

K: What is your favorite part of being an author?

R: Hands down, it’s when I give readers exactly what they’re craving, and those five-star reviews start rolling in. There’s nothing more satisfying than knowing your story resonated with someone, made them laugh, made them swoon, and just made them feel all the feels! When readers express their love for the characters and plot, it feels like everything—all the late nights, the endless edits—was worth it. It’s that moment of connection, where you realize you’ve created something that means something to someone else. And the five stars are just the cherry on top!

K: How do you get through writers block?

R: A cocktail or a glass of wine. HA! But seriously, sometimes everything starts blurring together between work and writing, and pushing through feels impossible. When that happens, I know it’s time to step away. One good cocktail, a nap, a binge-worthy show, a swim, a walk, or a night out with the girls, my husband, or my daughter is usually all it takes to reset my brain and get me back on track. I might even meet a potential character or two along the way for my WIP.

K: If you didn’t write, what would you do?

R: This ties back to my earlier statement about working alongside a CEO. If I didn’t write, I’d be stuck building someone else’s dream instead of my own. Sure, I’d read on the side. But that wouldn’t be good enough. Right now, at this stage of my life, I have my eyes set on something bigger.

K: Any final thoughts for my readers?

R: My husband and I share a deep intimacy, not just physically, but emotionally. He’s my rock, my biggest cheerleader, and sometimes, without even realizing it, my muse. There are moments when I need to work through a steamy scene, and he lets me use him as a stand-in, no questions asked. He doesn’t understand the world of book boyfriends or why I write the stories I do, but he never doubts me. He just offers his support… while shaking his head with a smile along the way. He stands by my side as I chase this dream. ❤️

K: This is something that I have talked about in most of my in person interviews, but having a supportive partner really makes all the difference in the world. I know for a fact that I wouldn’t be where I am today without my adoring partner.

Ruby, thank you for your time and your insight! I cannot wait for your third book to come out and see your dream take off! ❤

Readers, if you want to support this lovely author, please follow her on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubyhayes_romance/

And get her amazing, spicy, swoon-worthy romance books here:  https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ruby-Hayes/author/B0DVMTF8VC

Thank you for reading, and I hope you stick around for the next edition!