Why I Loved Writing White Island Villa: Behind the Romance and the Process
Writing White Island Villa was more than just a creative endeavor—it was a journey of emotion, setting, and character that allowed me to explore the complexities of love, trust, and second chances. As a writer, few experiences are as immersive and rewarding as crafting a story that not only pulls the reader into a beautiful landscape but also unravels the emotional landscape of its characters. White Island Villa gave me the perfect opportunity to do both.
The Allure of Setting: Greece as a Character
From the beginning, I knew the setting had to be more than just a backdrop—it had to breathe. The idyllic white villa set against the dazzling blue Aegean Sea served not only as a romantic escape but also as a symbol of possibility, healing, and hidden truths. The Greek island became almost a character in its own right, offering a place for transformation as much as conflict.
I chose Greece because it evokes warmth, beauty, and a sense of myth. It's a place where people go to find themselves—or lose themselves. And for Beth and Jason, it became the perfect place for change and personal growth.
Building the Emotional Core
At the heart of White Island Villa is the love story between Beth and Jason, but it’s not a conventional romance. Their relationship is laced with unresolved feelings, miscommunication, and emotional vulnerability. Writing their journey meant delving deep into themes of pride, fear of abandonment, and the human longing for connection.
Beth’s internal conflict—her need for independence battling with her undeniable connection to Jason—mirrors a struggle many readers can relate to. Meanwhile, Jason’s power, control, and ultimately his surrender to emotional honesty added layers of complexity to the traditional alpha-hero archetype.
What I Focused on During the Writing Process
Here are some key points I considered during the writing of this story:
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Character motivation: I always asked why characters were behaving the way they were. What past experience drove their choices? What did they fear most? What did they truly want beneath their words?
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Dialogue: For me, the heartbeat of any romance is in what the characters say—and what they don’t. I aimed to let the subtext speak volumes and allowed silence to be as powerful as declaration.
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Pacing: I took care to balance quiet emotional moments with turning points that changed the direction of the story—whether that was a misunderstanding, a confession, or a moment of intimacy.
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Tension: Romantic tension doesn’t come from physical closeness alone, but from emotional stakes. I made sure Beth and Jason had real reasons to be together—and real reasons to be apart.
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Supporting cast: Characters like Sophie, Stephan, and Mrs. Jarvis weren’t just filler. They acted as reflections of Beth and Jason’s worlds, providing insight, grounding, and even unexpected humor at times.
Why This Story Meant So Much
What I loved most about writing White Island Villa was that it allowed me to write a love story that felt mature and real. It wasn’t about perfect people falling in love—it was about flawed, strong individuals learning how to meet each other in the middle. Love wasn’t the easy part—it was the hard-won reward.
I also enjoyed blending themes of ambition, family loyalty, and healing through love. The inclusion of subplots, such as Jason’s vulnerability surrounding his vision loss, added emotional weight and deepened the stakes.
In the end, White Island Villa reminded me why I love writing romance: because it allows us to explore the raw, brave, beautiful parts of being human. I hope readers feel the same connection and emotions I felt while writing it.
Thank you for letting me share this journey with you.
Warmly,
Arabella Sheen
Buy Links: https://books2read.com/u/4X15wN
Website: arabellasheen.co.uk
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