Interview With... VJ Chisholm
To all who are reading this,
Join me on this mystical journey as I meet Vamptasy author, VJ Chisholm and learn more about her novel, Magick Weaved on a Samhain Eve.
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Name: VJ Chisholm
Age: 30
Location: Scotland, UK.
Hi VJ, thanks for joining me! So what are three interesting facts about yourself that you'd like to share with the readers?
1. I was a practising Wiccan from the age of 13, until I was 29.
2. I have a wee crazy dog, who is blind and never ending hyper, called Chase, that lives with me.
3. I hate the colour pink.
What made you want to be a writer?
I wrote poetry from an early age and did drama classes of every kind. I think it was just something that came to be over time. It definitely grew from being around my Nana - who was a fab storyteller, who with no more than just some names suggested to her for characters by myself (as a cheeky young child), could make up these amazing stories on the spot.
What motivates you to write?
I have such a passion for reading and learning, and I guess I'm the sort of person who always thinks about these "What If" moments in life. Then that gets my mind going into, "Oh, that could make a great story", mode and then I just see where that takes me.
Do you have a particular writing process?
I normally come up with one small thing about a character or plot, and then build it all up from there! With Alexia in Magick Weaved, it was her sassy humour and witchy nature that came first. Then the idea of setting it during Samhain, then her looks came into play! At that stage, I get my character notebook out where I take every mini detail of her down, from the colour and length of her hair to what colour her top is or what babydoll she's wearing from one page to the next. I then create a second notebook and pack it full of mini details that are needed in setting the scene for each chapter and another one, for the whole novella. Then I take all the notes I've made and get to work at putting them altogether but honestly, once I get a feel for the characters they totally take over the show!
I often find myself into some music as I write. I find the beat of the music will really help to visualise the scene I'm working on.
How do you handle the deadly problem that is writer's block?
I know that if I get hit by a block, I have to step away from my laptop and go out for a few ours, or chill out with a DVD. If I don't, then I just get more and more jammed up on myself and so flustered I will start to see problems where there were none before. After that, I will go back and look over what I have already written and start editing it. I find that will often help me to break back into full on writer mode. On the rare occasions that doesn't work, I will often jump ahead of myself and focus on another chapter completely and then go back later to the part I got the block on, before merging the two parts together.
What is a piece of writing advice that you will always remember?
The best advice I ever got was simple, but it was everyday advice, but I use it for my writing:
Don't let fear stop you from doing what you love - go for it! If it works for you and excites you, then hopefully, it will do the same for others.
What is the most influential book you have ever read, and why do you think so?
Oh... Erm... Pass!
Have you ever derived inspiration from your home or from anywhere you have visited?
Yes, places I have visited or things I have seen over the years. I think this comes across more in another book I'm currently working on called The Pack. I've travelled a lot to the States over the years and that definitely comes across in my work I think, especially when I'm talking about cities or sights.
Your first major publication is Magick Weaved on a Samhain Eve. Have you had any publications prior to this?
No Magick Weaved is my first publication to date.
What is Magick Weaved on a Samhain Eve about? It certainly sounds interesting!
It's about a woman called Alexia, who is a lively, single, sassy and sexy coven witch, yet she finds her sex life (or lack of it) the hot topic of her fellow coven sisters after one of their full moon meetings. Add to the mix the discovery of an old spell and Alexia's life starts to change very quickly as a spirit named Lance appears. Combine the heat of the full moon and a hint of destiny... Well, let's just say Alexia's world starts to change around her very quickly after that.
What drove you to write fantasy?
I love reading the genre and it's also a topic that just appeals to me! I totally believe in things like magick, spirits, angels etc. There are so many unanswered questions out there that everyone has a different take on - it just sets my mind alight with ideas that make me go, "Ohhh, yes that would be amazing if that happened!"
Your Facebook Page states that you studied Animal Care. What made you go into this? What's your favourite animal and why?
Well from a young age, animals and Holistic Healing were one of my first big passions in life. I grew up in a household of 2-4 cats at any one time! I just knew I wanted a career that would allow me to interact with animals on a daily basis. I knew I didn't have the makings of a vet in me, so I trained to be a vet nurse and then later on, I set up a calling cat sitting service, which I ran for nine and a half years. There was never a dull moment in doing that job. I may write a non-fiction book about my time as a cat sitter one day, as there are so many funny stories I could tell about that time in my life.
Are you planning on continuing Magick Weaved as a series, and what does the future hold for you as a writer?
I'm currently working on the sequel to Magick Weaved called The Turn of the Wheel, in keeping with the Wiccan Sabbath theme. In Magick Weaved we leave Alexia and Lance just as they decide to accept their relationship and Alexia's big news unties them. So we're going to see how they deal with the daily life issues and how they keep their sex life going around these new challenges. We'll also leanr more about Alexia's past, as well as Lance's.
I have no less than another three other books I'm trying to work on!
One as I mentioned is called The Pack, which is very much a paranormal action series. I hope this will be a big series as I just have so much fun writing about these characters. It's more witch based, but we have some werewolves and other supernaturals in the mix.
I have a darker, edgier book, which is based on a very twisted unhealthy relationship between the two main characters.
Then I have a much softer, sweeter love story as well, that is in the very early stages of the process.
Thanks for such a fantastic interview, VJ!
Be sure to check out Magick Weaved on a Samhain Eve on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com. You can also find VJ here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/VJChisholm-author-page/276730849033914
Twitter: @VJChisholmbooks
https://sites.google.com/site/vjchisholmbooks/
http://vjchisholmbooks.wordpress.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5299523.V_J_Chisholm
http://pinterest.com/vjbooks/boards/
http://plus.google.com/103321254731121363476/posts/p/pub
---
Yours, with eternal ink,
Zoe
---
Currently reading: The Trouble With Fate by Leigh Evans.
Join me on this mystical journey as I meet Vamptasy author, VJ Chisholm and learn more about her novel, Magick Weaved on a Samhain Eve.
---
Name: VJ Chisholm
Age: 30
Location: Scotland, UK.
Hi VJ, thanks for joining me! So what are three interesting facts about yourself that you'd like to share with the readers?
1. I was a practising Wiccan from the age of 13, until I was 29.
2. I have a wee crazy dog, who is blind and never ending hyper, called Chase, that lives with me.
3. I hate the colour pink.
What made you want to be a writer?
I wrote poetry from an early age and did drama classes of every kind. I think it was just something that came to be over time. It definitely grew from being around my Nana - who was a fab storyteller, who with no more than just some names suggested to her for characters by myself (as a cheeky young child), could make up these amazing stories on the spot.
What motivates you to write?
I have such a passion for reading and learning, and I guess I'm the sort of person who always thinks about these "What If" moments in life. Then that gets my mind going into, "Oh, that could make a great story", mode and then I just see where that takes me.
Do you have a particular writing process?
I normally come up with one small thing about a character or plot, and then build it all up from there! With Alexia in Magick Weaved, it was her sassy humour and witchy nature that came first. Then the idea of setting it during Samhain, then her looks came into play! At that stage, I get my character notebook out where I take every mini detail of her down, from the colour and length of her hair to what colour her top is or what babydoll she's wearing from one page to the next. I then create a second notebook and pack it full of mini details that are needed in setting the scene for each chapter and another one, for the whole novella. Then I take all the notes I've made and get to work at putting them altogether but honestly, once I get a feel for the characters they totally take over the show!
I often find myself into some music as I write. I find the beat of the music will really help to visualise the scene I'm working on.
How do you handle the deadly problem that is writer's block?
I know that if I get hit by a block, I have to step away from my laptop and go out for a few ours, or chill out with a DVD. If I don't, then I just get more and more jammed up on myself and so flustered I will start to see problems where there were none before. After that, I will go back and look over what I have already written and start editing it. I find that will often help me to break back into full on writer mode. On the rare occasions that doesn't work, I will often jump ahead of myself and focus on another chapter completely and then go back later to the part I got the block on, before merging the two parts together.
What is a piece of writing advice that you will always remember?
The best advice I ever got was simple, but it was everyday advice, but I use it for my writing:
Don't let fear stop you from doing what you love - go for it! If it works for you and excites you, then hopefully, it will do the same for others.
What is the most influential book you have ever read, and why do you think so?
Oh... Erm... Pass!
Have you ever derived inspiration from your home or from anywhere you have visited?
Yes, places I have visited or things I have seen over the years. I think this comes across more in another book I'm currently working on called The Pack. I've travelled a lot to the States over the years and that definitely comes across in my work I think, especially when I'm talking about cities or sights.
Your first major publication is Magick Weaved on a Samhain Eve. Have you had any publications prior to this?
No Magick Weaved is my first publication to date.
What is Magick Weaved on a Samhain Eve about? It certainly sounds interesting!
It's about a woman called Alexia, who is a lively, single, sassy and sexy coven witch, yet she finds her sex life (or lack of it) the hot topic of her fellow coven sisters after one of their full moon meetings. Add to the mix the discovery of an old spell and Alexia's life starts to change very quickly as a spirit named Lance appears. Combine the heat of the full moon and a hint of destiny... Well, let's just say Alexia's world starts to change around her very quickly after that.What drove you to write fantasy?
I love reading the genre and it's also a topic that just appeals to me! I totally believe in things like magick, spirits, angels etc. There are so many unanswered questions out there that everyone has a different take on - it just sets my mind alight with ideas that make me go, "Ohhh, yes that would be amazing if that happened!"
Your Facebook Page states that you studied Animal Care. What made you go into this? What's your favourite animal and why?
Well from a young age, animals and Holistic Healing were one of my first big passions in life. I grew up in a household of 2-4 cats at any one time! I just knew I wanted a career that would allow me to interact with animals on a daily basis. I knew I didn't have the makings of a vet in me, so I trained to be a vet nurse and then later on, I set up a calling cat sitting service, which I ran for nine and a half years. There was never a dull moment in doing that job. I may write a non-fiction book about my time as a cat sitter one day, as there are so many funny stories I could tell about that time in my life.
Are you planning on continuing Magick Weaved as a series, and what does the future hold for you as a writer?
I'm currently working on the sequel to Magick Weaved called The Turn of the Wheel, in keeping with the Wiccan Sabbath theme. In Magick Weaved we leave Alexia and Lance just as they decide to accept their relationship and Alexia's big news unties them. So we're going to see how they deal with the daily life issues and how they keep their sex life going around these new challenges. We'll also leanr more about Alexia's past, as well as Lance's.
I have no less than another three other books I'm trying to work on!
One as I mentioned is called The Pack, which is very much a paranormal action series. I hope this will be a big series as I just have so much fun writing about these characters. It's more witch based, but we have some werewolves and other supernaturals in the mix.
I have a darker, edgier book, which is based on a very twisted unhealthy relationship between the two main characters.
Then I have a much softer, sweeter love story as well, that is in the very early stages of the process.
Thanks for such a fantastic interview, VJ!
Be sure to check out Magick Weaved on a Samhain Eve on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com. You can also find VJ here:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/VJChisholm-author-page/276730849033914
Twitter: @VJChisholmbooks
https://sites.google.com/site/vjchisholmbooks/
http://vjchisholmbooks.wordpress.com/
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5299523.V_J_Chisholm
http://pinterest.com/vjbooks/boards/
http://plus.google.com/103321254731121363476/posts/p/pub
---
Yours, with eternal ink,
Zoe
---
Currently reading: The Trouble With Fate by Leigh Evans.
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