Author Interview: Vanna Smythe
Today I give you Vanna Smythe , author of fantasy novels.
She just released Decision Maker (Anniversary of the Veil, Book 2), which is the sequel to Protector (Anniversary of the Veil, Book 1).
Next, she is planning a Prequel to the Anniversary of the Veil series, which is currently Untitled 😉
My Interview with Vanna:
Please provide us with a brief synopsis of your book.
Duty versus love is the one battle warrior Kae doesn’t know how to fight. Kae has trained his entire life to become an elite Protector of the Realm. But when he earns that honor he finds himself protecting something far greater: the Veil separating two worlds. On one side of the Veil lie untold stores of magic. On the Realm’s side, magic is all but obliterated, and Kae is one of the few who can use it. The priests who secretly rule the Realm will do everything they can to control his growing magical abilities. He’s willing to pay the price, even though it comes between him and Issa, the princess he loves.
But the Veil has weakened over a thousand years and powers on both sides will stop at nothing to keep it intact. Strangers from the other side have kidnapped Issa to take her across the Veil and sacrifice her to strengthen it. Kae is the only one who can find her. If he goes after Issa, he loses everything he’s worked so hard for. But if he chooses duty over love, Issa will die.
What genre does your current book fall under?
My book falls somewhere between epic fantasy and fantasy romance.
Do you always write for the same genre?
I’m focusing on fantasy right now, yes, but I might try my hand at some literary fiction in the future.
Who or what motivates or inspires you to write?
I enjoy expressing myself with writing, making up stories and people to occupy them. I get inspired by good books, movies, songs or just random things I see in the world around me.
Tell us about your writing background.
I’ve dabbled in writing stories and poems since I was in High School, then got a little more serious about it after I finished University. But my real breakthrough came during NaNo 2009 when I finished the first draft of Protector. It took me almost two years of revising and rewriting to publish it, but I learned a lot along the way 😉
How long does it typically take you to write a first draft?
It takes me about a month to write a complete first draft of around 50 000 words. The revision then takes about two to three months.
Do you employ an editor to assist you in your writing process?
I have a excellent editor whom I’ve worked with for both of my published books. But before I send the book to her, I first have three or four writer friends beta read my novel. Getting such feedback is very important, I think.
Are you self-published or represented by an agency?
I’m self-published. I never did try to go the traditional rout.
Do you have future projects we can look forward to?
Like I said, I’m planning a Prequel to my fantasy series, and Book 3, both of which I will release in 2013.
Do you have any tips or advice to offer fellow writers?
I’d advise anyone serious about getting published to learn all they can about the craft of writing. A good editor and beta readers are also a must.
Is there anything else you would like to share with your potential readers?
I hope you enjoy my books 😉
Tell us how we can connect with you in the world of social.
Website: www.vannasmythe.com
Twitter: twitter.com/#!/Vanna_Smythe
Facebook: #/VannaSmytheAuthor
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Filed in: Author Interviews
Fantasy books are always a fun read for me at times. This sounds like a book I would enjoy. Thanks for bring her to the forefront. 🙂
Fantasy encourages the imagination. 🙂
My main fiction taste is strongly tied to fantasy. There is quite a bit of competition in the genre (just so many good books). I easily get lost when it comes to finding new writers to enjoy. I thank you for helping me find someone new to add to my ever growing list of people to read.
I like sci-fi and fantasy so this is also good for my reading pleasure. 🙂
This is another cool sounding book. One day, I'll find the time and courage to try to write a book.
If you want to write, you have to make the time. If you wait until you have the time, that day will never come. 🙂
Ohhh, another person who has braved NaNoWriMo! I can't even imagine being able to crank out 50k in a month, but more power to those who can.
Yeah, I am not one of those people either.
I have never been into fantasy novels but saw your comment about it encourages the imagination. So will have to start reading them.
Sci-fi does the same thing and that is my main genre I to read. It all sparks the imagination. 🙂
Interesting as Jeri said she cut her teeth on NaNoWriMo.. A big leap if only produced short stories prior to that, so good for Vanna. I keep telling myself I must read fantasy novels, but there are so many others that come first I rarely get to them. Vanna's certainly right about her process though. Feedback (and responding it) is essential.
I agree. Having someone give you feedback is essential to end up with a good product.
I wish I had enough time to be able to do NaNoWriMo! I think it be able to do that I would need to move to a private desert island with power and a laptop for a month! It would be nice though to read this book as we could always use a little escapism into sci-fi sometimes
I hear. Sci-fi is my escape when I need it. 🙂
I'm amazed that you can do a 50,000 word draft in a month.
You and me both! 🙂
Did I read that right? Fifty thousand words in just one month? I gotta get crackin'! Thanks for updating my resolution for this year.
You never cease to make me laugh. 🙂
Am not into fantasy books either. Used to love Star Wars when I was a kid, but I guess I changed. Agree wompletely with Vanna about the necessity of a great editor. Am so used to having sub-editors correcting my work that I sometimes make mistakes because of it.
I understand. Picking a good editor is every bit as important as using one.