Author Interview: Victoria Zigler

[E.C.]

Hi Victoria,

Your bio says that you have written about 50 books. Which book was your first? Which one was the easiest to write? Which book gave you the hardest time? And which book is your favorite?

[Victoria]

The first poetry book I published was "Mr. Pumpkin-Head And Other Poems" and the first story book was Witchlet" (the first in my Magical Chapters Trilogy). They weren't the first things I ever wrote, but they were the first that were ready to be published.

The answers to the questions about which book was the easiest to write, and which book was the hardest, are the same. "Kero Crosses The Rainbow Bridge" (the seventh, and final, book in my Kero's World series) was both the easiest and most difficult book to write. It was the easiest because I knew exactly what I wanted to say, and the book was literally written, edited, and published within a month. But it was the hardest because it was my way of saying goodbye to my beloved West Highland White Terrier (who the series is about) and I quite literally cried the entire time I was working on it. It was published exactly a month after the day we sent him on his journey across the rainbow bridge.

As for my favourite... That's a very difficult question to answer. I'm not very good with picking favourites for things anyway, especially when we're talking about books, but when it comes to my own the task is even more difficult. In fact, I don't think I can pick a favourite. It would be like picking a favourite child. They all have their good points, and I dare say their bad points too. But they're mine.

[E.C.]

I completely understand about your books being your own. Us authors invest pieces of ourselves in each one.

Who is you favorite character that you wrote? We all have author influences, but is there an author that stands out to you the most and why?

[Victoria]

E.C. wrote: "Who is you favorite character that you wrote? We all have author influences, but is there an author that stands out to you the most and why?"

Like with picking a favourite book, picking a favourite character is nearly impossible. I'm obviously going to feel drawn towards wanting to pick Toby, and the characters that are essentially my pets are close to my heart, but I'm really fond of my other characters too. The only character of mine I'm not too fond of is Lattie from "Yua And The Great Wizard Hunt" because she starts out being such a sweet little thing, but doesn't end that way. It felt right for the story and her character, but I felt disappointed in her for heading down the path she did.

I think if I had to narrow down my author influences, I'd have to go with Hans Christian Anderson and Beatrix Potter. I had both read to me a lot as a child... I especially have fond memories of my Nan reading the Beatrix Potter books to us when we visited her. I know I've taken a lot of influence from both those authors in my love of writing fairy tales, and fondness for talking animals.

[E.C.]

I admit that I know very little about someone's life who is visually impaired, but I am interested. Since you are visually impaired, what is your writing process like? What tools do you use to help you through the publishing process that may or may not be different than a sighted person?

[Victoria]

E.C. wrote: "I admit that I know very little about someone's life who is visually impaired, but I am interested. Since you are visually impaired, what is your writing process like? What tools do you use to help you through the publishing process that may or may not be different than a sighted person?"

Mostly I use Microsoft Word for my writing, with the help of a screen reader called JAWS (which stands for Java Access With Speach, I believe). If I’m not at my computer, I use Apple Notes on my iPhone, which talks to me thanks to Apple’s built in speech software. I much prefer typing on the computer to using the iPhone’s keypad though, because I’m a fast typist on a normal keyboard, but using a touch screen keyboard is frustratingly slow, so I get annoyed with it quickly, and tend to just use Apple Notes for quick notes when I can’t get to the computer for some reason.

When it comes to the publishing process, the main difference between my process and that of other people is the continued need to use JAWS, and the requirement of help from a sighted person with some things. Usually this job falls to my hubby.

[E.C.]

After seeing the amount of books you have published, I have to say that I am impressed with your work ethic. How do you do it? Do you have any advice to help others stay motivated and productive?

[Victoria]

E.C. wrote: "After seeing the amount of books you have published, I have to say that I am impressed with your work ethic. How do you do it? Do you have any advice to help others stay motivated and productive?"

Well, part of how I have so many books out is because I was doing re-writes and edits on old stories and poems I still had copies of, all the while continuing to write new ones, and it all added up. Plus, I spend a lot of my time either reading or writing.

As for advice... *Shrugs* I have no idea. I suppose the best advice I can give you is that if you want to write that book you feel is inside you badly enough, you'll find the time and motivation to do it, and if you don't then you only have yourself to blame for it. I get that some people have busy lives, filled with commitments like work, family, friends, etc. But if it's something you're passionate enough about, you'll find a way to make it work. For example, I keep motivated because I've always written, and there are stories inside my head that need to come out. At one point, I had school, horse riding lessons, judo, hospital trips, homework, and the chores I had to do if I wanted my pocket money, all going on at once. But I still found time to write, as well as to read enough that one of my teachers actually quizzed me on the contents of books sometimes, just to check I really was reading as many as I claimed.

[E.C.]

Thank you. I think you gave great advice. Do what your passionate about and you will find a way to make time for it.

[Victoria]

E.C. wrote: "Thank you. I think you gave great advice. Do what your passionate about and you will find a way to make time for it."

Exactly! :)

[Victoria]

There’s a challenge/campaigne going on that’s encouraging people to do a blindfold challenge to raise money for the blind, in particular for finding a potential cure to a certain condition that causes blindness.

Now, I fully agree that raising money for charities is a good thing, and I’m on board with people wanting to find cures for things, make the lives of people with disabilities or medical issues easier, etc. However, I’m also totally in agreement with those who say not to do the challenge.

Why?

Because, as I wrote on Twitter this morning:

“Blind or not, a new task is difficult. The blindfold test is not accurate. Want to know how a blind person manages? Ask one! #HowEyeSeeIt”

The simple fact is, blindfolding yourself temporarily and trying to do a task you do easily every day isn’t going to give you an accurate idea of how it would be for a blind person doing the same task. A blind person learns different ways of adapting some tasks that generally use sight in order to do them, and learns to rely on other senses to do others. Excuse the pun, but don’t be blind enough to think a temporary blindfold will show you the reality of a blind person’s life. It won’t!

Please, I urge you, if you want to understand how a blind person manages to do something, find out by asking one. I, for one, am available to ask, and happy to do my very best to answer your questions, be it on this thread, via my “ask the author” thingy here on Goodreads, via private message, or whatever.

[E.C.]

Thank you for sharing, Victoria. I was wondering if you would ever write an autobiography centered around your experience as a blind person? It is a completely different genre, but I believe telling your story and your brother's story would be a powerful insight.

[Victoria]

E.C. wrote: "Thank you for sharing, Victoria. I was wondering if you would ever write an autobiography centered around your experience as a blind person? It is a completely different genre, but I believe tellin..."

I'm not going to say never, but I'm not planning to do so at the moment. I'm happy to answer questions, and do the odd post, on the subject, but I personally don't feel ready to write an autobiographical book at this point. Maybe one day, but not any time soon.

[Victoria]

If anyone is interested:

I'm currently in the process of making my backlist of books available in audio. Bearing in mind, they're all already available in multiple eBook formats, as well as in paperback.

Just thought I'd mention it, in case anyone is interested.

Victoria Zigler

[Victoria]

I’m delighted to announce that Kindle versions of all my books are now also available directly from Amazon.

Just so you know though: if you can’t find them on the Kindle store for your own country for any reason, or simply prefer to buy from Smashwords, you can still buy Kindle friendly versions via Smashwords too.