Dear Valerie,Thanks for agreeing to the interview. I have to ask, What has been your biggest influence on becoming a writer?
It must have been one of two things: first, I love books. I always have more books than shelf space for them. I always have a pile of yet unread books. Second, although I read a lot, I still have an unstoppable imagination. I have to write down some of it—and when a friend asked why I don’t try to publish it, I thought: Yes, why not?
How did you feel when you got your first publishing contract?I felt, well, supported? Acknowledged? Surprised? It was one shot, one hit. I have to say thank you to Extasy Books for trusting me.
How do you categorize yourself: pantser or plotter?I had to look up pantser. Yes. I’m both. I can start a story, see where it develops to and then complete the outline that develops. Like in fantasy roleplaying games, I can let my characters run and see how they react to new situations. Open end, everything is possible. I can build a plan, like I did for my current trilogy, that will support three 100k word books and then add detail. I do research on certain topics, but I can let go.
What makes a book great in your eyes?Easy. Three characteristics, in that order: First, it entertains the reader. Moreover, it will suck him/her inside the story and make the reader unable to leave. Second, it will reach the heart of the reader. Make him/her laugh, cry or tremble in anticipation. Third, it is worth to be read more than once. If the reader can discover things he/she may not have spotted before. Those make a good book for readers. Perhaps not for critics, but I don’t write for critics.
What is the biggest piece of your advice you can give a beginning writer?Don’t write for yourself, write for your readers. Use your imagination.
Do you have any guilty pleasures?Yes. Writing is—it takes up time which I can’t spend with my friends and family.
What influences your writing? And why?Everything. Books I read, movies I watch, the news, how I feel, and on top of all, music. For Lilith Rose, I listened to gothic rock like Moonspell, but another day it may be Dvorak.
Name one thing readers don’t know about you.My real-life name, and that remains my secret.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a trilogy in the Zoe Lionheart series. Right now I’m in the middle of the second book and next I’ll translate another sequel from German to English.
Who is your favorite all-time author?I’m not sure if I can name just one, but if I have to, it’s probably Robert Ansom Heinlein. I’ve travelled to the USA to buy a book that would not be sold outside the US, according to his orders.
Are love scenes easy/difficult to write?Easy, if I’m in the right mood. That is, I write love scenes only if I’m in the right mood. Music can help me to get into that mood.
Do you write in one genre or several different ones? And why?Somehow my stories move from one genre to the next. Film Noir? Yes. Action, Thriller, Erotic, Fantasy, Science Fiction, Romance, Drama—it’s all there. Somehow the inner logic of the story requires the move from one genre to the next, and who am I to refuse?
If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?My first choice would be at Zoe’s side. Okay, let’s put fiction aside. There are three favorite places where I like to be. Broome in Western Australia, Vancouver, Canada, and my hometown, Wiesbaden, Germany. Luckily, right now I’m in one of these places.
How do you deal with the dreaded writer’s block?Writer’s block? What is that? My biggest problem is to find the time to write down all my ideas!
Do you have another career besides writing? What is it?
Yes. Writing is a hobby. I’m an IT project manager, I have to make computers do what people want them to do.
What’s your biggest reward in being a writer?Happy and touched readers.
To date, which is your favorite story? Which one did you have the most fun writing?Lioness’ Dream, the fifth sequel. Or perhaps Lioness’ Pack, the sixth. When you read them, you’ll know why.
How do you go about developing your characters and setting?My characters do their own development, I just give them enough air to breathe. I just shove them out of the door and into the story and say: Go, be a hero! Then they do the rest and I’m proud of them. The setting—well, okay, that’s my wicked imagination.
If you had the opportunity to say one thing to your readers, what would that be?Enjoy reading! Wait—why should I say just one thing? This is not the last time we will talk! Come and visit me on the exFactor loop or on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/Valerie-J-Long/96884542843?ref=nf
Monday, August 30, 2010
Author spotlight with Valerie J. Long
Monday, August 23, 2010
Character spotlight with Lilith Rose
What makes you special?
Me? Special? Oh no, I’m not special, only that I have failed to keep my promise. Wait—let me think. Yes, there’s one thing. I’m absolutely committed to correct my failure.
Tell me about your most current adventure.
Adventure—well, yes, I think you can call it adventurous. But don’t you think I’d give away too much? No? Okay. You know, until I started my mission I had no idea…I was a virgin, y’know. Well, the first time—it hurt a bit, but I think that’s okay, it’s part of my—chastisement, I’d say. I pulled him in so quick that he didn’t have time to notice. And then, oh, it was such a great feeling! And that was just the beginning!
If you could offer your author advice, what would it be?
She shouldn’t be so sad. She knows I deserved what I got. It was my choice.
Are you happy with the way people perceive you?
Happy? You’re kidding. First, they see a little girl. Then they see some new toy in me. When they finally recognize how wrong they’ve been, it’s too late. No, honestly, I don’t care anymore.
Is expressing love difficult for you? Why?
Well, yes, of course. But it’s a part of my role. I must appear authentic. They may never suspect it’s not the real thing. It’s difficult because I only know it from books and internet video, and there’s such a lot of fake stuff. I really think there are only two or three tapes with moans that are used everywhere.
Is there a message you want to get across in this interview?
If you fail, you have to deal with the consequences. Ultimately.
If you could time travel, where would you go?
A few minutes before that ugly incident. I’d tell my sis not to go to town alone.
How many sex partners have you had? How many at one time?Oh, I did them one by one. That was the only way to complete my mission. Each a different pace and a different method. I think it wouldn’t be fair not to dedicate yourself entirely to one man.
Is there a question you wish I had asked but didn’t?
Yes. You could have asked if it all had to happen this way. No. If my father had been a bit more understanding, if my sister had been a bit more careful, if I had been a bit more alert—but then I wouldn’t be here for the interview, right?
What are your opinions on Eva, Adam’s second wife?
Eva who? Adam? Are you talking ’bout the Bible? I’m not very religious, you see. But if you ask, I think she shouldn’t have eaten that apple. There must have been zillions of other fruit around. Just stupid to pick the one she was told not to. Just stupid to listen to a snake.
What are the pro’s and con’s to being a deity?
Dunno—why do you ask me? Probably it’s nice that you never need care about your moon days, but it must be ultimately boring to sit on a cloud every other day.
How does one become a deity?Look, I don’t know where this interview is heading to, but your questions are getting stranger and stranger. What do I know about becoming a deity?
Describe your best kill. Why was it the best?
Oops, what a question! But okay, it won’t matter anyway, it’s too late for the police. I think I can’t pick one. That would be like taking one aria and ignoring the opera. I think it’s the overall picture that counts.
Could you count on any special abilities?Except being a pretty girl with a firm pair of boobies? No—yes. Perhaps I’m a good actress. But otherwise I’m an ordinary girl, and I did my homework.
What’s the oddest thing you’ve seen or done?
Hmm—this interview?
If you could change one thing about you or someone you loved, what would it be?
Oh my. Perhaps I’d change the way Pop saw my sis. She wasn’t a bad girl and he was a good father. But they didn’t get along very well. Isn’t that so with all teenies?
How do you deal with stress?
I focus on my task. I just have to get it done.
Would you like to give any advice to our readers?I don’t think I’m in a position to give advice. I’m not a good role model. I have failed. I could say Don’t repeat my mistakes, but I think every situation is individual, and so are my mistakes. Use your own good judgement and use it better than I did.
Visit Valerie J. Long at:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Valerie-J-Long/96884542843