Brittany: Hi Vicki! Thank you for joining me today. Congratulations on your newest release, the Loss. Vicki: Hi, Brittany! Thank you! And, it’s my pleasure! Brittany: Tell us about The Loss. You have Shawn on the cover. Did you write this book with him in mind, or did you write it and then realize that Jase was Shawn? Vicki: I had actually started writing The Loss but wasn’t very far into it when I saw a picture of Shawn that I felt was perfect for the cover. The look on his face showing loss, heartbreak. Then after meeting Shawn, at two different signings, I knew even more he was perfect for Jase’s character. Brittany: You’ve written many books. How many do you have published right now? Vicki: The Loss makes my 9th book however I have a novella I published from a Bad Boy Biker anthology that is no longer on Amazon and I have novella’s in two other anthologies that are still published. Brittany: Did you ever think that you’d be as successful as you are now? Vicki: Not in my wildest dreams. Brittany: You’ve also used Justin Keeton as a model, correct? Vicki: Sort of. I have several pictures of him for future covers. The first cover is being revealed this coming Monday, the 27th. I’m so excited! Brittany: What’s he like? Vicki: He is so down to earth. Very humble, respectful and so much fun. Brittany: What’s it like working with such hot guys? Vicki: Ha! It is really incredible. Before I met any of them, I have to say I was very intimidated. The chance to meet guys that are not only on or going to be on my covers, but to actually stand in front of them was kinda of scary. I mean, they work out, stay healthy, and are so motivated in fitness. I’m not saying I don’t try and take care of myself but, not like that. Then, I met them and they are ‘human’ too. Lol Not, meaning that in a bad way but so many people put them up on pedestals and I can understand why but, they are really just people. Brittany: What’s your process when you start writing a book? Do you type it out or hand write it? Vicki: I type it. When I get an idea, I immediately pull up a word doc however, I have a notebook that I write down notes. Not really an outline because my stores take off and go where they go but, I write down the name of the story, names of the characters, otherwise I get lost. There are times when a plot twist will hit me or another direction and I’m not there yet so I will jot down notes about that as well, so I don’t forget. Brittany: Do you edit your book yourself before you send it to the actual editor? Vicki: Yes. I also send to my Street Team to pre read for me. They give me very valuable feedback. But, I re read my stories, out loud, listen to the flow, make changes which can sometimes be big or small. I’ve even reworded so much that it changed a bit of the story, making it better. Brittany: You have traveled a lot this year to many signings. What are they like? Vicki: So far, I’ve attended 6 signings, 5 this year. Each one is different in their own way however, the feeling of excitement each time is indescribable. I love meeting new readers, seeing ones I’ve met before and hanging out with authors before, during and after the events. Trust me, I fangirl just as much as a reader does. I’m not only an Author but a reader myself. Brittany: The cliché question, how did you get started writing? Vicki: In May of 2013, I had come home from work on a Friday and sat down, pulled up a word document and started typing out a dream I’d been having for several months. I wanted to see how it would read and let it play out. After three chapters, I sent it to a couple of friends of mine who ran a blog. After reading it they told me they couldn’t wait for more and that I needed to keep going so, I did. By June 28th, I published My Savior Forever and that’s what started my writing. Brittany: What can we find you doing when you’re not writing? Vicki: I hang out and enjoy my family. I’ve been married for almost 19 years and we have two teenage sons, both in high school. We also have 2 furbabies, both cocker spaniels, and we are looking into getting a German shepherd puppy. My family is the most important thing in my life. Brittany: What’s been the most rewarding experience throughout this career? Vicki: The most rewarding is being able to write and publish my books, having readers leave reviews or message me, come up to me at signing’s and tell me how much they love my stories. It’s very humbling and encouraging. It fills me with so much happiness to know that someone out there loves what I do, let’s my stories take them away, get absorbed in, like books do for me. It’s just so surreal still and probably always will be. Brittany: What are some of your favorite books by other authors? Vicki: I hate this question because there are soooo many. Fifty Shades of Gray (E L James), Archer’s Voice (Mia Sheridan), Consequence series (Aleatha Roming), This Man series (Jodi Ellen Malpas), Then You Happened (Sandi Lynn), Dark Duet series (C J Roberts), anything by Teresa Mummert, Kelly Robinson, Shay Savage. One of the books that as a reader touched my soul, Sempre by DM Darhower. I have to include Bender by Stacy Borel, not because Shawn is on the cover but because it truly is a great book. J But, I could go on and on…. Brittany: Do you have a favorite book boyfriend of yours? Vicki: Ha! I have so many! Of course, all of the guys in my books are my closest and most special book boyfriends but there are a ton from books I’ve read as well. I’d have to say from my books, my favorites are Harley from Trusted (Touched series #3), Jase from of course The Loss and most recently Memphis from the current book I just sent to my Editor, Country Heaven (Country Love series #1). The book I am writing now, the male character may just be the next one on my long list. Brittany: Here’s a really fun question I just thought of. Take two different characters from different books, could be yours or other authors’. Who do you think would work well together as a couple? Vicki: Oh, my! I’ve never really thought of that. Hmmmm. That’s a tough one. Maybe Caleb from the Dark Duet series and Pearl from Trusted would make an interesting couple. Brittany: Vicki, thank you so much for talking with me. Congratulations again on the release! Can’t wait for more from you! Vicki: Thank you, Brittany for having me. I’ve had a lot of fun and appreciate you thinking of me to interview. Brittany Interviews Shawn Dawson (again...) Brittany: Hello Shawn. *grins* Again. Shawn: Oh hey brit *giggles* Brittany: I know you’re super busy, flexing til you’re famous, eating cheesecakes out of jars, being hot. I wanted to thank you for sitting down with me once again and answering my insane questions. Shawn: It’s always a pleasure especially since sometimes you don’t have a filter so some questions get interesting. Brittany: Okay, so. You have to tell me, cause it’s later. What cologne do you wear? Shawn: Hmm I wear a couple. When I fly to signings I bring one that’s smaller that I can travel with stupid regulations but I accidentally washed it with my clothes so I gotta hit the mall for a new bottle of that but when you saw me, I was wearing georgio armani cologne. IT SMELLS SO GOOD. Trust me. *sigh* Brittany: My roommate wants to know what your shoe size is. Shawn: Depending on the brand of the shoe, I know sounds weird but some fit differently. I’m between 10 1/2 and 11. You know what they say about big feet... Brittany: How tall are you? Shawn: 5’8”. Brittany: Congratulations on all your newest covers, by the way. Looking mighty fine, like always. What’s it like doing a photo shoot? Do you have to really think about all the poses you need to do or does it come naturally? Shawn: Most the covers that I’ve been on are just my natural movements, natural movements look much better than posed shots in my opinion. I honestly get nervous still sometimes with the shoots but I work with some amazing photographers so they never try to make me feel uncomfortable. Brittany: You’re gaining quite a following, recently hitting 100,000 likes on your fan page. What’s it like, being so popular? I bet you never thought you’d get this far. Shawn: You’re right I never thought any of this would happen, it’s still kind of all a shock to me. I post a picture getting x amount of likes and comments. I do my best to read them all, & sometimes comment on them as well. Brittany: So I know you can flex, but are you flexible? Like, can you put your foot behind your head? Shawn: I cannot put my foot behind my head, but I do take hot yoga every once n awhile to keep flexibility. Brittany: Where can one buy Flex til Your Famous active wear? Shawn: http://flex-till-youre-famous.myshopify.com Brittany: What do you do before you go to the gym? Shawn: I take my pre workout 15 mins prior, make sure I have the right music going cause otherwise I won’t be focused what so ever & probably won’t even make it to the gym. The drive to the gym is honestly the most important with the music blaring putting me into the mindset. Brittany: If you can’t make it to the gym, do you have an alternate plan? Shawn: Just stay as strict to my diet as possible & keep productive so I don’t eat bad cause lately I’ve had the worse sweet tooth Brittany: I heard someone mention you might auction off those nice blue undies that you wore for the ice bucket challenge. Are you still gonna do that? Shawn: I haven’t decided on a date for the auction or what will be auctioned it was originally planned that I would auction off some of the stuff I wore in shoots like my own football gear. ( jerseys, shoulder pads, game pants, THE FOOTBALL, and maybe some other things as well. Brittany: What’s on your bucket list? Shawn: Travel out of country for signings Brittany: I know you’re into gaming, what’s your favorite? Shawn: Call of Duty hands down Brittany: Thank you again, Shawn, for answering my questions. I know I can be a little ridiculous some times, so it means a lot. Shawn: Thank you for the opportunity to be graced with a interview
2 Comments
Samantha McVey Mccoury
11/8/2014 09:38:35 am
Loved the interview. Please do more soon
Reply
Brittany Alexander
11/8/2014 09:44:55 am
There are a bunch more if you scroll through the blog section!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |