Interview with V. A. Jeffrey
Today we welcome V. A. Jeffrey to the site
What inspired you to write your first book?
When I wrote my first novel I was going through a really rough patch in my life and I was very depressed and not sure how my life would turn around. So I turned to writing again and poured all of my problems and frustrations into the protagonist in that first novel. I suppose the need for expression and outlet for my anger and frustration with my life is what inspired me. That novel was never published, however. Neither was the second novel I wrote.
Do you have a specific writing style?
I suppose I would say fairly descriptive, even slightly archaic at times.
How did you come up with the title?
For my current series, a children’s middle grade fantasy series, It started out as an idea for a short story years ago. It’s called Secret Doorway Tales. It took me a long time to decide how the story would go but I always knew that I wanted it to have something to do with a little girl going on adventures in a fairy tale land. The title for the short story for years was called The Pumpkin Princess. I began writing the story this year, which turned into a novella because the story ideas became more complex than I had originally intended but I had to find a way to introduce the child protagonist to the reading audience. I found a way to do that by having her discover a new world through a secret doorway, kind of like Lucy in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. So the first book in the series became The Green Door. The Pumpkin Princess actually became the second book in the series.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Especially for kids, the message in it is to have respect for nature and how we must understand that certain things we do can affect others and the world around us, to show courage in the face of danger, act on good principles, have concern and compassion for others, be yourself and never lose your curiosity in the world around you.
What books have most influenced your life most?
The Bible, The Lord of the Rings, The Silmarillion, Dune. The Complete Works (William Shakespeare)
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Tolkien. Even though he is dead he has had the greatest affect on my writing style and why I want to write the kind of stories I write.
What book are you reading now?
The Last Amulet By Chris Northern.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
Bryan Thomas Schmidt, Chris Northern, Kathy Cecala, Marcin Wrona, Jason G. Anderson, Howard Andrew Jones, Niko Silvester. Not all of them are new authors but they are all new to me.
What are your current projects?
Right now I’m working on the fourth book in my children’s fantasy series and I’m also creating a third poetry collection/book called City Life.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
Joe Konrath.
Do you see writing as a career?
Now that I don’t have to go through agents or publishing houses to publish my work I certainly do. My hope in five years is to make a living from my writing. A few years ago I had given up hope of ever being a published writer. My, how times have changed and it’s a great time to be a writer! Nothing is holding me back!
Do you recall how your interest in writing originated?
I’ve written stories ever since I was old enough to use a pencil. I think it started when my mother would read to me all of the time as an infant. It might have been inspired by that.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Sure, actually I always put up free samples of my work on Scribd. Here is an Excerpt from The Winter Wolves the third book in the series. It’s four sample chapters.
Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?
My favorite new author is George R.R. Martin. His work is very complex, expansive and descriptive like Tolkien but grittier and riveting as if you are reading a thriller. Once I start reading something of his, I read all through the night. His books are hard to put down. That’s what you call great story telling!
Who designed the covers?
I designed all of my book covers except for The Winter Wolves. Claudia McKinney designed that one.
Do you have any advice for other writers?
Things have changed dramatically for writers today just like things changed dramatically for musicians a few years ago. Technology has leveled the playing field. These days no one can have power over your writing career or determine who gets to have a writing career and who does not. That power is in the author’s hands. Don’t wait around for someone to validate your work. Strike while the iron is hot! Gather a team of professionals around you – an editor or a proof reader if you can afford it, beta readers if you can’t, a graphic designer or an artist for your covers if you can’t do it yourself and write, format your book and get it out there. Make sure it looks good and make sure it’s the best that you can make it, but now is the time to make the most of being an author.
Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you very much for downloading and reading my books and I hope you enjoy them whether you got them for free or purchased them! I really appreciate it! It’s a thrill to know when someone enjoys your work. It means I’ve done my job!
What genre do you consider your book(s)?
Fantasy and science fiction.
Do you ever experience writer’s block?
I have experienced it years ago. I see it now as an excuse not to write. Can’t say that I’ve experienced it recently because I have so many reasons to keep writing and putting my work out there. There’s nothing stopping me or “blocking” me, so to speak.
Do you write an outline before every book you write?
Yes. A rough outline. I’ve always done this when I get ready to write a novella or a novel. It helps me organize my thoughts and hit all of the story plot points as I go along. Any character quirks, issues or motivations and plot points or set pieces that need to be there are already written as a skeleton. After the outline, all I have to do is flesh it out and dress it up. Keeps the story organized and I have less problems with plot inconsistencies.
What is your favorite theme/genre to write about?
Secret worlds, doorways and places that only some people can see. I love science fiction and fantasy because you can write about current events, important issues and timeless issues but in such a way that it doesn’t feel like you are preaching or lecturing the reader. They can learn something about how the author feels about a certain issue, or a constellation of issues and escape into a good story at the same time.
