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My guest today is author and blogger, Victoria Walters. Her debut novel, The Second Love of my Life, saw Victoria labeled an ‘Amazon Rising Star’ and was called ‘Brilliant and superior women’s fiction’ by Heat magazine. Victoria’s new book, Random Acts of Kindness, has being released in a four-part series by Simon & Schuster.
It has just been packaged as a single ebook and given a new title, Summer At The Kindness Cafe, and is out this month. Pre-order here. The paperback is out next year.
We talk about the challenges and benefits of writing in a serial format, Victoria’s road to publication and her writing process.
You can find out more about Victoria and her books at victoria-writes.com or find her on Twitter or Facebook.
IN THE INTRODUCTION
I give an update on my writing life in July, including my writing progress and plans for releasing my new novel in October.
Also, I talk about my decision to accept my own writing process (and my lack of planning/outlining!).
Do let me know if you would like me to talk about how I write novels without outlining.
I also give a shout-out to my new supporters on Patreon (thank you!). The latest audio extra gives tips on creating and naming characters. You can access it, and the previous four extras, for as little as $2 per month.
For more information, see The Worried Writer on Patreon.
LISTENER QUESTION
I answer two questions this month:
Ian Howlett asked:
When you’re in writing mode, how many words do you produce in the average day (if there is such a thing as an average day!)? I’m thinking specifically about non-fiction, since that’s what I write.
Please do you have any tips for how to step back and look holistically at the plot, character arcs and historical setting? I’m getting too close to it! Thank you.
I’ll answer it on the show and credit you (unless, of course, you ask to remain anonymous).
IN THE INTERVIEW
On writing a four-part series:
‘I had about a month to write each part… So that was tricky.’
‘There was always something happening, I either had editing to do or one of the parts was coming out and I had reviews to tweet or whatever. More activity than usual.’
On writing:
‘I’m an only child so a lot of my childhood was using my imagination and making up stories…’
‘I do try to write a bit each day, but I’m not really strict about it… I find that quite stressful, I’d rather write when I’m feeling okay to write. I think when I try to force myself then I just start hate the book I’m writing so I’d rather do it when I’m in the best mood.’
‘I tend to write better in the mornings. By the time it gets to about three o’clock I start to think it’s time for Netflix now, surely!’
‘I don’t have a set wordcount… Some days I might write 1000 words, but some days I’ve written 10,000 words in a day, it all depends on the mood I’m in.’
‘For me, I like to write a first draft and then I edit it afterwards… I’m more productive when I just get it down on paper… Especially when I had these really tight deadlines for the serial, I couldn’t be really perfectionist about it because my editor just needed it.’
On publishing:
‘There was a lot of rejection.’
‘The most challenging part of being a writer is that you really don’t have much control over anything but your writing.’
‘All we can do is write the best book we can write.’
‘More than the self doubt, it’s the uncertainty of the business that worries me.’
On self-doubt:
‘Once you start talking to other authors you find out that we all feel the same way.’
‘Sometimes a bit of self-doubt is good… It can motivate you, push you forward a bit… I think I would worry if I started to think I was the best writer in the world.’
Victoria’s writing tips:
‘You’ve got to find what works for you.’
‘Reading is the best kind of learning for a writer.’
‘When I’m stuck, everybody just has a meal.’
Thanks for listening!
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I don’t recall this coming up in the podcast, but I’d like to know the rationale behind the publisher putting this out in four parts. Was it an experiment? A proven method for achieving…something?
Hi Bill. It is an interesting new publishing model, which seems to be popular at the moment (with the publishers, at least!). Previous guests, Rachael Lucas and Cressida McLaughlin both have had books released in this way. I think it is down to the popularity of novellas/shorter works (perhaps due to more folk reading on their phones/digitally?) and the benefit of being able to ‘build a buzz’ with multiple releases per title, rather than one launch day.
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