VK Tritschler

vktritschler.com

Uncaged welcomes VK Tritschler

Welcome to Uncaged! Your latest release is called “Trade Secrets,” and is a romantic comedy. Can you tell readers more about this book?

When I wrote Trade Secrets, I had a picture of a young woman fresh into the world of corporate marketing who finds that her expectations of what the world will be, and reality of it and the people she must work alongside, vastly different. Emily finds herself stuck in between her boss bawdy boss Jimmy, and the handsome Harry who works for the competition. She is hired by Jimmy to spy on Harry and find out trade secrets, but as she learns about both men, and subsequently herself, she must decide where her priorities truly lie. I like that readers are divided about the characters and whether they love or loathe them. I think as a writer to create a character in which two readers can interpret and relate to in quite different ways, is a great feeling because I think that is also how we react to people in our own lives.

What have you found the hardest to cope with during the pandemic? What are you looking forward to when a lot of restrictions are lifted?

We have been extremely fortunate to reside in South Australia. Locally we have had minimal restrictions, and therefore it has not impeded my life dramatically other than being more mindful which I think can be nothing but positive. But I did have to cancel a trip to Canada to visit my family, which I was disappointed in. My Grandmother, a living legend at over 100 years of age, was key in my desire to visit. But I know that no matter what, when I get back and when its safe enough to travel again, I will have a fabulous time catching up with everyone and hearing their stories.

You released two books in 2020, what can we look forward to from you this year?

More books! I have so many ideas rattling around in my brain, that it seems impossible to get them all down in a timely manner. But I have set aside writing goals this year, and my next book which is a paranormal romance is due out in April. I also have someone working on converting one of my books into an audiobook, as I have become a fan of these myself as my life has been getting busier. I am also assisting with the local Youth writing group again this year, because there is nothing like kids to keep you motivated and remind you why you started writing in the first place.

Do you edit out anything substantial in your novels in the editing process? Do you make that extra content available in any way to readers if you do?

I am a visual writer, which means I see the story in my head as I write it. What tends to happen is not that I edit out a lot of things, but rather that my typing can’t keep up with the story in my head and I must add things into the book. Which means often when I have editors read through my work, I end up having to elaborate on scenes or bring in more of the backstory to satisfy the reader. Therefore, I don’t have ‘extra’ content that is available as such, but I am certainly keen in the future to release content which is solely for my fan base. I have one story I started in NanoWriMo which I would like to send my fans once I have finished the editing phase!

What was the first book that made you laugh and/ or cry?

I will be honest here and let you know that when it comes to reading, I am an easy crier. I did it for Black Beauty when I was just a kid. I have cried as I have written stories many times. But laughing? That ones a little harder. Smile? Definitely. But laugh out loud funny is a hard button to press. But I did laugh

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when I wrote the cat shower scene in The Secret Life of Sarah Meads, so I was thrilled to see that a reader once commented on how she laughed out loud at the same point and scared her dog. What a fabulous thought.

What are some things you like to do to relax when you aren’t writing or working?

My husband will tell you I never truly relax, and I think he’s probably right. I was not built with a fully functional off-switch. I love to read, but I get totally absorbed into my characters world when I do. I also enjoy fishing, but only if they are biting! The best thing I can do to relax is go for a walk in the wilderness and explore, or to travel and wander around strange and new locations. I have travelled for many years, and to get lost in a new country or location is the best feeling in the world. There is always somewhere new to discover. Hopefully, we can all enjoy this again soon!

How many hours a day do you write? On average, how long does it take to write a full novel?

I would consider myself an all or nothing kind of gal. This year’s goal is to set aside a set time for writing, since at the moment its when the muse takes me. I do regularly escape to hidden writing locations with other authors and writers, and that is where I am most proactive. If I set my mind to it, I can write an entire book over a long weekend. But typically, I would write two or three thousand words in a stretch and I might only do that a couple of times a week. I am hoping with my new plans this year, I will be able to work this into a better system.

Do you prefer ebooks, audiobooks or physical books? Are you reading anything now?

I read anything and everything. I use audiobooks for my morning walks, and that helps me feel like I am exercising my mind as well as my body. Current read for that? The Duke and I, by Julia Quinn. I watched the television series and wanted to find out if the books were like the show. On my bedside table is a physical book, The 24-hour Café by Libby Page. I liked the idea of a story about following your dreams. I have currently got over three hundred books on my Kindle. I had read nearly all of them. So yes, I think you could say it is a little obsessive.

What would you like to say to fans, and where can they follow you?

I would like to thank them for their support. As a relatively new author, each and every person who likes, shares, follows or engages is a real gem. And it has been such a pleasure to read all their reviews (yes – even the ones who didn’t like a certain book or character!) as they have given me constant motivation to write more and do better.

Enjoy an excerpt from Trade Secrets

Trade Secrets VK Tritschler Romantic Comedy

What happens when your dream job turns out to be a hot mess?

Emily earned a spot in a top Adelaide advertising agency and was excited to be starting her professional career. But on her very first day she gets coffee spilled on her by Meg, her new and complicated co-worker; runs into Jimmy, her wildly inappropriate boss; and gets stuck in an elevator with Harry, who is the hottest guy in the industry and her company’s biggest competitor.

When Jimmy enlists Emily to spy on Harry and his company, things become more complicated. But Emily finds that her life isn’t as perfect as she’d dreamed. Now, she has to choose between handsome Harry, who may not be all he seems, and bawdy

Jimmy, who is exactly what she fears. Secrets and hidden agendas rip apart Emily’s dreams. Will she pick the devil she knows or the one she doesn’t?

Excerpt

As she pushed the door open, a large desk and surrounding chairs greeted her. The wall was again a length of a window, but this time with a much pleasanter outlook into a park. At one end of the room was a large projection screen and beside it a small easel, which was empty. And beside them was Meg, seated, or rather perched, on a leather recliner and next to her with his relaxed grin was a face she had already met that morning. Him. Toilet guy. The only other bad part of her day so far, and he smiled like a Cheshire cat.

“Good morning. You must be Emily,” he said, getting up from his chair and walking in her direction.

Unable to avoid the introduction, she grimaced. “Yes, I believe we’ve already met. I’m Emily Johnson. Nice to meet you.”

“Not as nice as it was to meet you downstairs this morning.” He gave her a firm handshake. “Nothing like a hot bit of toddy in the morning to wake an old fella up.”

Meg snorted in the background. “Jimmy, leave her alone. Ems, that’s Jimmy. He’s our boss.”

A LI z A R o SS

Born and raised in Queens, Aliza studied psychology at Queens College and graduated from Fordham Law. As a litigation attorney, Aliza has specialized in complex civil litigation and white-collar criminal defense. She lives in Manhattan with her husband and two children.