4 minute read
Romance Author, V.K. Tritschler
from April 2021
How has your non-writing life influenced your books?
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I get great ideas of some of my best characters from the real world. Snippets of the way someone acts, talks, or behaves can become an idea for another character or book. But, more importantly, my non-writing life such as my studies in psychology, have given me an understanding and willingness to explore human nature. But also, I love to include scenes from places I have been or know. It’s important for people reading the book to feel like this is a place they can visualize themselves, so I use a lot of my background experience in the location to bring it to life.
What was your first published book about and how did you get started writing it?
My first book was A Secret Life of Sarah Meads, which was a fun rom-com about a woman who isn’t coping with life. It was both a way of me exploring a character that I wanted to become a heroine of her own story, and also as a way of writing something light and easy to read. Sarah has always been one of my favorite characters, even though looking back now I recognize that the story is still very basic and ideally would be reworked. But I like the fact that it isn’t polished. It shows my growth and development, and I hope that one day it will be the collectors item that every reader wants to get!
Are you a plotter or a pantser, or somewhere in between?
Pantser through and through. I have tried plotting, and occasionally if I have a multi-series I will set up a basic plan for what I want to happen, but I let the characters develop on their own terms. For me, part of being a writer is letting the characters expand and explore their own worlds, and I am just the schmuck that gets to write it down (hopefully capturing their experiences as they go!).
Where does your love of romance come from?
Who doesn’t love love? Its warmth and friendship, relationships and complications. The beauty of any story is in how the characters relate to each other and the experiences they encounter, so for me part of finding the resolution is understanding their emotive needs. This, in itself, is a type of romance. So it makes sense for me to write in this genre.
How has your writing evolved over the years?
It’s slowly getting better Every book allows me to grow and understand my writing strengths and learn more about how I can bring out character development. I hope that I can continue writing for many years to come, and look back at my earlier work and smile. Like an adult looking back of photos of them as a child and remembering how innocent you were, and realizing how much you have grown in the process.
Is it difficult to combine genres (eg. romance and paranormal) or does the story flow naturally with both elements?
Not at all, in fact I find it easier to move between sub genres, because it keeps my brain going. I write depending on my mood, so if I’m feeling cheeky I write rom-com, if I’m feeling worried I write suspense. What it means is I never have an excuse not to write! I just have to pick up the page and continue the story, and let the characters reveal themselves to me.
What is Eyre writers and what is your involvement with this group?
Eyre Writers is a support group for authors based locally. They have been established thirty three years, and I am the spring chicken of the group. They have an amazing set of authors with a range of genres, who I am so glad to call now my friends. To be surrounded by people with skills and desire to achieve in a skill you are learning, is something special.
What is one piece of writing advice you'd give young writers, or those new to the industry?
Don’t stop. Write lots. Kill your darlings. Write the book you’d love to read. And most of all, do what you love.
What is your latest release and what can readers find between those pages?
My newest book is called A Town Called Nowhere, which is set in rural Australia and is a were-panther book. I was inspired by a local author giving me a writing prompt, and drew into it the idea of there being panthers being on the loose in Australia which was a story I had seen on news. It’s a racy jump into paranormal romance, and it was great fun to write.
Interview provided by: Award-winning Canadian authors, Jenna Greene (YA Fantasy) and Miranda Oh (Contemporary Chick lit) pair up to provide you with engaging interviews with authors from all genres to give you a sneak peak into their lives and writing styles.
Read our interview with V.K. Tritschler at: www.TopShelfMagazine.net
