Interview
If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world for a year while writing a book that took place in that same setting, where would you choose?
I’d probably choose Halifax or Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. I love both spots, and although I’ve already set a book in Halifax, I would love to do one for Annapolis Royal too, it’s a historic town and so pretty!
What behind-the-scenes tidbit in your life would probably surprise your readers the most?
I am ultra-disorganized, and although I am quite picky about the way things are set up inside of my computer and mostly my manuscripts, chaos seems to rule my everyday life.
I am ultra-disorganized, and although I am quite picky about the way things are set up inside of my computer and mostly my manuscripts, chaos seems to rule my everyday life.
How do you come up with names for your characters?
It’s extremely random. Sometimes I see a name somewhere and like it enough for a character. Others, I’ve had people shout ideas at me in Facebook or other social media. In some cases, like the one I’m writing now, I’m exploiting a side character from another story, so their name is already chosen.
It’s extremely random. Sometimes I see a name somewhere and like it enough for a character. Others, I’ve had people shout ideas at me in Facebook or other social media. In some cases, like the one I’m writing now, I’m exploiting a side character from another story, so their name is already chosen.
Give a shout-out to a fellow author.
Maggie Blackbird, JS Frankel, Denise N. Wheatley, and Curtis A Cooper.
Maggie Blackbird, JS Frankel, Denise N. Wheatley, and Curtis A Cooper.
What would the logline be for your book?
Book of my life? I’d probably pick “Cats and word processing: How VJ became a hermit”.
Book of my life? I’d probably pick “Cats and word processing: How VJ became a hermit”.
What is your favorite word, and why?
Synchronization. It just sounds so cool to my ears!
Synchronization. It just sounds so cool to my ears!
Describe your writing space.
It’s in the northeast corner of my kitchen, my computer and Hubby’s computer dominate the entire kitchen table. To my right is the wall with our family calendar of events, etc on it, along with two power bars filled with cords for the computers, the routers, and charging cables for my phone and our son’s tablet. My monitor sits upon my husband’s (the family) computer, while my huge desktop tower is directly in front of me. To my left is a low cupboard topped with a breadbox, my old Acer system’s tower, and my printer – covered in blankets so our cat Marnie can look out the window and watch the neighborhood.
It’s in the northeast corner of my kitchen, my computer and Hubby’s computer dominate the entire kitchen table. To my right is the wall with our family calendar of events, etc on it, along with two power bars filled with cords for the computers, the routers, and charging cables for my phone and our son’s tablet. My monitor sits upon my husband’s (the family) computer, while my huge desktop tower is directly in front of me. To my left is a low cupboard topped with a breadbox, my old Acer system’s tower, and my printer – covered in blankets so our cat Marnie can look out the window and watch the neighborhood.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
So far, it’s four books – technically five, but one was a rewrite, so it’s really four in total. It’s tough to pick a favorite because I love them all in their unique way, minus the one that will never see the light, or even get a rewrite, it was so bad! I love Away to Me because I could draw on my own experiences for Rikki finding out Kelsey was her biological mother. Stricken was my first novel, so it will always have a special place in my heart. Under Your Scars (coming in 2020 from eXtasy Books) wasn’t an easy one to write, but it is a great story because of that.
So far, it’s four books – technically five, but one was a rewrite, so it’s really four in total. It’s tough to pick a favorite because I love them all in their unique way, minus the one that will never see the light, or even get a rewrite, it was so bad! I love Away to Me because I could draw on my own experiences for Rikki finding out Kelsey was her biological mother. Stricken was my first novel, so it will always have a special place in my heart. Under Your Scars (coming in 2020 from eXtasy Books) wasn’t an easy one to write, but it is a great story because of that.
What is the most surprising thing you discovered while writing your book(s)?
That sometimes those tangents turn into great storylines. I also never thought a practice story would be my best one so far!
That sometimes those tangents turn into great storylines. I also never thought a practice story would be my best one so far!
Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? And what makes them so special.
Rikki Hunter Falcon, Neil and Kelsey’s daughter in Away to Me. I wrote her to be a lot like my niece Katy was at 14 years old, and because of that, she’s one of my favorite characters of all time.
Rikki Hunter Falcon, Neil and Kelsey’s daughter in Away to Me. I wrote her to be a lot like my niece Katy was at 14 years old, and because of that, she’s one of my favorite characters of all time.
Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
I don’t like to give away anything unless a book is published, or it’s on the way there. I feel like I jinx myself if I say anything.
I don’t like to give away anything unless a book is published, or it’s on the way there. I feel like I jinx myself if I say anything.
Does one of your main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?
So far, it’s Ewan Campbell from Stricken. He’s a softie, and was so understanding with the love of his life, Marti, even after she left him without any explanation. His romance with Marti was the first full length novel I finished, so he has an extra bit of space in my heart.
So far, it’s Ewan Campbell from Stricken. He’s a softie, and was so understanding with the love of his life, Marti, even after she left him without any explanation. His romance with Marti was the first full length novel I finished, so he has an extra bit of space in my heart.
If one of your books was to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it?
Stricken: I’d love to have Nathaniel Arcand play Ewan, and I’d probably have Mila Kunis as Marti.
Stricken: I’d love to have Nathaniel Arcand play Ewan, and I’d probably have Mila Kunis as Marti.
Are you working on anything at the present you would like to share
I’ve been editing and proofing my upcoming novel, “Under Your Scars” with eXtasy Books, and I’m currently working on trying to finish a companion story for my first novel, Stricken. As a rule, I don’t talk much about works I haven’t finished yet, I’m scared I’ll jinx myself if I do.
How many plot ideas are just waiting to be written? Can you tell us about one?
So many! I want to get Tri-Town 3 off the ground, which I hope to be an MM erotic romance. It will be set in either the town of Mahone Bay or Lunenburg, NS. I’m not sure how it will work out yet, the ideas are still developing.
As for other ideas, I’d rather not talk about them. Again, I’m scared I’ll jinx myself.
So many! I want to get Tri-Town 3 off the ground, which I hope to be an MM erotic romance. It will be set in either the town of Mahone Bay or Lunenburg, NS. I’m not sure how it will work out yet, the ideas are still developing.
As for other ideas, I’d rather not talk about them. Again, I’m scared I’ll jinx myself.
What are you reading now?
Renewed by my dear friend Maggie Blackbird.
Renewed by my dear friend Maggie Blackbird.
What famous author do you wish would be your mentor?
It’s a toss-up between Nora Roberts, Stephen King, and Margaret Atwood.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Read or spend time with my husband and son.
Read or spend time with my husband and son.
What is the best part of your day?
The coffee after my son goes to school.
The coffee after my son goes to school.
Would you rather be in a room full of snakes or a room full of spiders?
Neither!
Neither!
Sopping. I don’t know why, but it sounds gross to me.
What turns you on creatively, spiritually or emotionally?
Creatively? The smell of good coffee.
Spiritually? The ocean.
Creatively? The smell of good coffee.
Spiritually? The ocean.
What turns you off?
Drama and bull shit.
What is your favorite curse word?
Fuck. I use it at least 20 times a day.
Fuck. I use it at least 20 times a day.
What sound or noise do you love?
The sound of my cat purring. It’s so soothing.
The sound of my cat purring. It’s so soothing.
What sound or noise do you hate?
People humming while they’re shopping. UGH.
People humming while they’re shopping. UGH.
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt?
Psychologist or Medical Examiner.
Psychologist or Medical Examiner.
What profession would you not like to do?
Gynecologist.
Gynecologist.
If Heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say when you arrive at the Pearly Gates?
“Well, Heaven just went to Hell!”
“Well, Heaven just went to Hell!”
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V.J. Allison was born and raised in southern Nova Scotia, Canada, and her work reflects her strong Maritime roots. She is a stay at home mother to a son on the autism spectrum, married to the love of her life, and “mama” to a rescued Maine Coon cat named Marnie.
She has been writing various stories of novel length and short stories since her school days, and sees writing as a vital component to her life.
When she isn’t writing, she loves to read romance and science fiction novels (notably Star Wars); listen to music (heavy metal, rock, alternative); watch various crime and forensic dramas; watch science fiction television shows and movies; and spend time with her large family and many friends.
This self-proclaimed geeky rocker chick is an advocate for and warrior of various chronic illnesses including Occipital Neuralgia, Trigeminal Neuralgia, Diabetes, Migraines, and Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia. She is also an advocate for the prevention of animal cruelty and is a voice for Autism Awareness.
Links:
Website – Word Processor, Romance, Cats, Kids and Creed (blog) – Twitter – eXtasy Books – Facebook Profile – Facebook Fan Page – VJ’s VIPs (Facebook Group) – Away to Me at eXtasy Books – Stricken at eXtasy Books
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