In this episode of the My Simplified Life podcast, host Michelle Glogovac interviews author Hannah Mary McKinnon, also known as Holly Cassidy. They discuss Hannah's latest romantic comedy, The Christmas Countdown, and explore her unique ability to write in two different genres: thrillers and romantic comedies. The conversation delves into Hannah's Swiss heritage, her writing process, the challenges of balancing writing with family life, and the nostalgia of holiday traditions. Hannah shares her journey from a corporate background to becoming a successful author, emphasizing that it's never too late to pursue your dreams.

What We're Talking About

• Hannah Mary McKinnon writes thrillers under her real name and romantic comedies as Holly Cassidy.
• The Christmas Countdown incorporates Swiss traditions and food, reflecting Hannah's heritage.
• Hannah's writing process involves plotting one genre while editing another, but she never writes them concurrently.
• She published her first book at 45, proving it's never too late to start writing.
• Hannah enjoys the creative freedom of writing standalone novels that can be read in any order.
• Balancing writing with family responsibilities can be challenging, especially with three sons at home.
• Hannah's background in accounting helps her manage her writing career and business.
• The influence of living in different countries shapes Hannah's writing and character development.
• Nostalgia plays a significant role in holiday traditions, as seen in The Christmas Countdown.
• Hannah emphasizes the importance of community and connection in the writing journey.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Hannah Mary McKinnon 04:43 Diving into Dual Identities: Writing as Hannah Mary and Holly Cassidy 07:36 Swiss Heritage and Its Influence on Writing 10:30 The Craft of Writing: Balancing Thrillers and Romantic Comedies 13:40 The Journey of Becoming a Published Author 16:33 Managing Multiple Genres and Writing Schedules 19:38 From Corporate to Creative: A Personal Transformation 22:35 Reflections on Life, Creativity, and Inspiration 25:34 Closing Thoughts and Future Endeavors 30:20 Festive Vibes and Holiday Reads

Links Mentioned

Hannah Mary McKinnon's Website

www.HannahMaryMcKinnon.com

Holly Cassidy's Website

www.HollyCassidyAuthor.com

Hannah Mary McKinnon's Facebook http://www.facebook.com/HannahMaryMcKinnon

Hannah Mary McKinnon's Instagram http://www.instagram.com/HannahMaryMcKinnon

Hannah Mary McKinnon on Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15144570.Hannah_Mary_McKinnon

Holly Cassidy on Goodreads www.goodreads.com/author/show/14735007.Holly_Ca