Book Questions
Victoria
L. James
Tell us your latest news?
I’m just about to release the third book in the Natexus series, Marcus, which I am both excited and terrified about. I love these characters in this world I created. It’s important to me that they translate perfectly on paper for everyone who takes a chance on my writing. J
What book are you reading
now?
TJ Klune’s Wolfsong. The writing is superb.
Your books are so
emotional. How long does it take for you to be able to get the characters out
of your mind and move on to the next?
They never leave my mind, to be honest. I’m struggling to part with the characters from Natexus—probably my most emotional and angst-driven series yet. When I write, I literally bleed my heart and soul onto those pages. It’s both draining and cathartic. I don’t think I’ll ever really move on from those guys, so all I can do now is be proud of them and hope everyone loves Natalie, Alex, and Marcus as much as I do. fingers crossed
Are the names of the
characters in your novels important?
I have to feel like they fit, but naming the characters is the hardest part of writing any story for me. Haha. I’m terrible at it. It takes me forever.
What are the most important
attributes to remaining sane as a writer?
Alcohol.
And friends you can cry on and trust.
What is the most demeaning
thing said about you as a writer?
Sheesh, I’ve no idea. I tend to avoid reviews, especially anything negative that will make me doubt myself, but I have no doubts there are some people out there who don’t think my work is for them. Actually, I think the most demeaning thing said about me has come from family/friends in real life who can take the writing gig as one big joke. If you tell people you’re an indie writer, they instantly say “So you write mummy porn.” They have no idea what goes into the whole process. That’s got to be the most irritating thing people can say. A) Because I don’t, and b) because even if I did, who the hell is anyone to try and demean someone else’s passion or dream? I’ve learned a lot of lessons over the last two and half years in the book world. One of the biggest ones is to pay attention to who cheers for you when you’re winning and who stays silent. I’ve taken a lot of notes, and I now make a point of surrounding myself with those who live and love as passionately and genuinely as I like to. If anything demeaning does get said, I’ve got the best people around me to pick me up and dust me off.
How do you react to a bad
review of one of your books?
I go into meltdown and threaten to quit writing… for, like, a day. Haha. Then I get determined, get up, stop feeling sorry for myself and get back to business. I avoid the bad reviews if I can, but that’s purely for my own sanity. Everyone has a right to love or hate a story. All I can do is tell the tale that’s in my heart. I can’t expect every human being on the planet to resonate with it the same way I do.
What was the hardest part
of writing your book?
I don’t really know. Writing is like breathing for me. I guess the tears when writing are hard to deal with. I feel like one big boiling pot of emotion sometimes. I love it, though. It’s my life. I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to be doing this.
Did you learn anything from
writing your book and what was it?
I learn something every time I write and release a book. They’re usually little insignificant things, but hopefully they’re all making me a better author with every book I write. Hopefully.
Is there a message in your
novel that you want readers to grasp?
Most of my books carry a similar theme in the background: Live life for YOU. Never, ever give up. Never, ever believe something is over if your heart keeps beating to remind you it isn’t. Life is tough, but you’ve got this. You’ve just got to want it badly enough.
Have you ever read or seen
yourself as a character in a book or a movie?
I don’t know how I feel about this, but my work colleagues have recently told me I am Madeline from Big Little Lies. head desk Haha. I think I am more like Izzy Moffit from my first book release, Izzy Moffit’s Road to Wonderland.
Describe in 5 words, your
writing:
Pure. Honest. Emotional. Deep.
Insightful.
What do you use to write
your book?
I write both on my mac and in a notebook. Or several hundred notebooks.
Do you listen to music
while you write or read?
Oh, yes. Besides writing, music is my life. All genres. I have it playing throughout approx 80% of my day.
If you could write with any
other author(s) who would it be and why?
L.J. Stock is my writing soul mate, and we’ve already released the MC series, Babylon together. We have so many ideas for the years to come. We’re currently working on book 3 of the Babylon series, actually. If I had to pick someone else apart from Lou… Crikey! I don’t know. I adore Emma Scott’s work, so possibly her. I also love Claire C. Riley but she’d have me writing about gore and horror and I’d be a total wuss. Hahaha. Anyone who’d want me, I guess. Anyone who is willing to commit to something and trust you to be on their wavelength is kind of putting all their faith in you, so it’s a big, big commitment to make. You’ve got to be able to disagree with that person. It’s not something you can just throw together. I don’t think so, anyway.
NON- BOOK QUESTIONS
When you were a child what
did you want to be when you grew up?
A journalist or a primary school teacher.
Did/Do you have a nickname?
Ha! LOTS. Let’s just leave it at that. Most can’t be said without censorship.
What are your pet peeves?
Disingenuous people. Liars. Mean girls. Entitled people. Quitters. People who chew with their mouth open.
What is your favourite
coffee shop drink?
I’m not a huge coffee fan. I go into Starbucks and order tea. I can practically hear the international gasps of all my friends across the world, right now.
What's your favourite tv
show?
Sons of Anarchy. Friends. Big Little
Lies. Suits.
What is your favourite kind
of cookie?
Oatmeal and raisin.
If you were stranded on a
deserted island, what three things would you have and why?
I’d need music, books, and a toothbrush… for obvious reasons.
Where would you go if you
had a time machine?
Back to spend some time with my Grandma while she was still alive and I was just a kid who had no idea I was about to lose her so soon.
Which is your favourite
quote?
It’s a long one. You ready?
Let me tell you something you already know. The world
ain’t all sunshine and rainbows. It is a very mean and nasty place and it will
beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me,
or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t how hard you hit; it’s
about how hard you can get hit, and keep moving forward. How much you can take,
and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done. Now, if you know what
you’re worth, then go out and get what you’re worth. But you gotta be willing
to take the hit, and not pointing fingers saying you ain’t where you are
because of him, or her, or anybody. Cowards do that and that ain’t you. You’re
better than that!”
If you were an ice cream
what flavour would you be?
Mint
choc chip.
What song best describes
you?
Moments – Tove Lo
THIS OR THAT
Pepsi or Coke
Neither.
Michael Fassbender or
Colin Farrell
Colin Farrell
Cows or Sheep
Cows
Castle or Town house
Castle
City or Country
Country
Lover or Fighter
Bit of both
Pop or Rock Music
Rock
80’s or 90’s
90s
Singing or dancing
Dancing
