Fast Friday 5 with....

Victoria H. Smith 

Author of the Eldaen chronicles and The Space between

Victoria H. Smith is one of my favorite authors of Young adult. Her writing style is very visual and her characters are more than just devices, they are "real." I asked her to do this interview for BD so we could find out more about her and the brilliant mind that brings these characters to life.

BD: Hardest character to write? Easiest?

Dennis Oh, my interpretation of Drake

VHS: I think Drake was definitely the most challenging. Not only was it difficult writing for a male, but he’s also an international adoptee. I had to really research to get into his head. Figure out what his struggles would be since he was adopted into a family that was not of color. The research was quite tedious, but gratifying as well. I learned so much about adoptees in the process and I’m happy to be able to share a snapshot into their world through my characters. I can only hope I did them justice.

Lacey and her character development were by far easier. I found her very relatable with wanting to put on a brave face and take care of the world around her. She finds it hard to ask for help and never does. Many of the cultural struggles she’s had I’ve had myself as a woman of color. I definitely felt like I understood her and that made it easier to write for her.

BD: What is your goal for next year?

VHS: I definitely want to put out at least two more IRs (interracial romances) next year. I have some ideas so I hope I can get them out there and share them.

 

BD: Who is the book boyfriend of your life? (Your character or someone else's)

VHS: It might sound weird but “R” from Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion. There’s just something about that zombie boy that is oh so dreamy. I think Julie (the heroine of Warm Bodies) sees that too. ;)

BD: Book you could read over and over

VHS: Right now, Love Script by Tiffany Ashley. I just really love her writing style.

BD: Mac or Windows?

VHS: Mac for sure. Once I switched, there was no going back for me.

Check out Victoria's latest, 

To read the Eldaen light chronicles  or The Space between click the link. To read EVERYTHING by this author visit her blog or her goodreads page.

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The life and times of this blogger......

It has been a while since I've blogged, though I have still been devouring books. I lost a little motivation after a few authors responded negatively to my review of their novel

I had one insinuate that my negative opinion hurt her sales as a new author.  The other, who I beta read for accused me of "quoting out of context" when I specifically noted the location of the quote. She also blasted me because I complained that the story lacked diversity and was slow. The teenage heroine slept a lot. I know in real life some may love to sleep in or stay up late and then sleep all day, but I don't want to read about your character sleeping for thirteen straight hours, even if you're trying to demonstrate that she's depressed. That is snoring for a reader. And, if you have one minor character, towards the end of your book that is ethnic, then your book is not diverse.

I was most offended about the "context" issue, I know that I can be harsh at times , I write reviews for other readers that love books and for writers who genuinely want the truth and can handle it. I also work hard to make sure that the "errors" and complaints that I have are valid and not just stuff I've pulled out of my generous arse. I usually make specific quotes and note where the problem areas are located. If you do not agree, fine, but I have proved my point with facts and not emotions.

That is not to say that I'm never wrong or right. A review is an opinion about a specific work, I'm not critiquing you personally or giving your talents three stars, so please don't take it that way. Nothing on this site is ever going to be personal, this is about finding good reads and sharing them with like minded people, thats all.

Several times I have found myself not liking a specific book, but then loving the next work by the same author. Its all about fit for me; is it the something that fits my interests.

With that said I have to acknowledge that these novels are the authors babies, their sweat and tears, so I admit that I can be a little harsh; that is something that I will work on and as a  grammatically challenged blogger I will forgive most grammar problems from now on.

However, I will demand diversity of characters and interesting stories. This I promise those that visit my blog!

xoxo M.