Bal Khabra: On Being Open to Rewriting
Bal Khabra is a Canadian writer and booklover. Before she decided to jump into the romance pool, she spent her time gushing about books on social media. When inspiration strikes, she is found filling her Notes app with ideas for romance novels. She loves reading about love, watching movies about love, and now, writing about it herself. There really isn’t much else that gets her heart fluttering the way HEAs do. She fell in love with writing and hopes to continue living out her romance author dreams. Follow her on Instagram.
In this interview, Bal discusses wanting to help characters come out of their shells with her new romance novel, Spiral, her advice for other writers, and more.
Name: Bal Khabra
Literary agent: Jessica Watterson
Book title: Spiral
Publisher: Berkley
Release date: January 28, 2025
Genre/category: Romance
Previous titles: Collide
Elevator pitch: Hockey star, Elias Westbrook, is feeling pressure of his newfound fame as the rookie for the Toronto Thunder, while struggling ballerina, Sage Beaumont, is desperate for her big break. When the two hatch a reluctant plan to fake-date to help their careers, their chemistry sizzles away any lines they created to separate reality and pretend—forcing them to choose between their ambitions or risking it all for a connection that’s spiraling out of control.
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What prompted you to write this book?
After introducing Elias in Collide, I knew I had to give him a story where he could break free from his quiet, reserved shell. Enter Sage—chaos in ballet shoes. She disrupts his routines, and I loved the idea of pairing this emotionally guarded hockey player with a ballerina who’s all heart and high energy. Plus, Sage represents those strong eldest daughters who hold it together for everyone else while still chasing their own dreams. I often relate more to the “black cat” characters, so I wanted to have a sunshine character who wears her heart on her sleeve. Watching these two personalities navigate fake dating while wading through their personal issues felt like the perfect pairing.
How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?
It took about a year from idea to publication. I started writing at the beginning of 2024, and by the time I submitted the final draft, so much had changed. Looking back at the first draft, it almost feels like a different story. I ended up rewriting the entire second half to make the plot flow more naturally with the characters’ development. It was a process, but stepping back and cutting out the parts that no longer fit made all the difference.
Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?
Seeing how much attention goes into every detail to make sure the book reaches the right readers was eye-opening. From the title to the cover and even the reading lines, everything is chosen carefully with expert input. We spent extra time trying to land on the perfect title that everyone was happy with. It’s amazing to see how many people are involved in approving all the moving parts before a book goes to publication, and their input really shapes the final product.
Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?
Yes, there were definitely surprises in the writing process! The characters seemed to evolve all on their own in ways I didn’t expect. Even if I had an idea of where some scenes would lead, it felt like they took control of their lives and guided the writing. Even as I wrote the epilogue, which I leave until the very last draft, it seemed to evolve naturally. I wrote it all on a whim in the back of a taxi on my notes app, and although unexpected, it felt perfect for the two Elias and Sage. Sometimes, it’s best to go in without any concrete expectations for scenes and see what tumbles out onto the keyboard.
What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
I hope readers are able to see Eli and Sage’s story as a testament to understanding that despite the imperfections we see in ourselves, there are people out there who will love each flaw. And if we as romance readers can love these beautifully flawed characters and see them as deserving of love, then we are too—no doubt about it.
If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
A piece of advice for writers is to not be afraid to scrap and rewrite! I sometimes find it difficult to let go of words I’ve worked so hard on, but I’ve noticed that if I step back and look at my writing from a more objective point of view, I can shape it into something that aligns more with the characters and how they’re evolving. As creatives, we need to give ourselves freedom rather than stay stagnant. Changing your perspective and looking at your writing with a fresh lens can help you achieve something that truly aligns with your vision.
