Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I spent as much of my childhood as I could lost in a good book. I spent most of my adult life lost in a good job as a nurse, midwife, CEO, coach, and facilitator (amongst other things). After years of encouraging my children and clients to follow their dreams, I finally got around to remembering what I wanted to be when she grew up – so I began writing fiction.
“Ochre Dragon: The Opal Dreaming Chronicles Book 1” was my first fantasy (in a book). I hope you get lost in it. I’m currently completing “Soul Staff: The Opal Dreaming Chronicles Book 2”, which is due for release in early 2021.
My novelette, “Peace on Earth”, was published in “Christmas Australis: A Frighteningly Festive Anthology of Spine Jingling Tales”, along with stories by seven other Australian authors.
I also write as Veronica Strachan and teamed up with my daughter Cassi for a new children’s picture book series, “The Adventures of Chickabella”. Book 1 is “Chickabella and the Rainbow Magic”, and book 2: “Chickabella Counts to Ten”. Book 3: “Chickabella Shapes Up” is coming mid 2021.
Also as Veronica Strachan, you will find my memoir, “Breathing While Drowning: One Woman’s Quest for Wholeness”, as well as a guided journal “The Wholeness Quest Workbook & Journal”.
I live in a mudbrick home in north-central Victoria, Australia with my ever-patient husband and a menagerie of animals.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Ochre Dragon: The Opal Dreaming Chronicles Book 1 was inspired by all the magical, dragon-filled fantasy books I read as a child, but influenced by all the brilliant women I’ve met in my career as a coach and facilitator. So many women just needed a little reminder to believe in their gifts, believe in their strengths, and follow their dreams.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Perhaps not unusual, but I do get up at 5:15am each morning to write in the quiet, before the real world gets going. I check in with a fabulous group of writers on Twitter – the #6amAusWriters for support and ideas and then write for a couple of hours.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Ursula Le Guin, JRR Tolkien, Robert Jordan, Traci Harding, Julian May, Sara Douglass, Jane Austen, Jasper Fforde, Gloria Steinem, Marianne Williamson, Steven Erikson, Kate Elliot, A.A Milne, Stephen Donaldson
What are you working on now?
I’m currently working on the second book in my epic fantasy series ‘Soul Staff: The Opal Dreaming Chronicles Book 2’, as well as a co-authored supernatural-action-adventure-romance ‘Beneath a Burning Heart’. And just finishing up the illustrations for my third children’s picture book ‘Chickabella Shapes Up’
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Amazon ads work quite well and as an Australian author, Australian Book Lovers is a good website to be a part of.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Take your time and persist. Balance your creative writing with learning more about the industry. It’s never too late to start – or to start again.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
For life? Never live with regret!
But for writing… write the book you want to read – then edit, edit, edit.
What are you reading now?
Darkening: Queen of Spades Book 2 by E. J. Dawson
Relics, Wrecks & Ruins – a scifi, fantasy and horror anthology edited by Aiki Flinthart.
Inkspell by Cornelia Funke
Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
(I always have a few books on the go – some ebooks, some paperbacks)
What’s next for you as a writer?
More writing…
Publish Book 2 of The Opal Dreaming Chronicles, draft Book 3. Publish my co-authored supernatural-action-adventure-romance and get my third children’s picture book out in the world.
More involvement…
I’m working on building up the Australian author community, especially for under represented groups, which includes a podcast (AustralianBookLovers.com) to help promote and support other Australian and First Nation authors.
More book business…
And working on getting better at marketing my books, and all the other business elements of the book world!
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Only 3 or 4? Too cruel.
I love fantasy series so I’m going to smudge the rules and say: The Ancient Future Trilogy by Traci Harding, The Axis Trilogy by Sara Douglass, The Lord of The Rings by J.R.R Tolkien, The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan, and The Chronicles of Thomas Covenant by Stephen Donaldson.
Okay, I know that’s five and way more books than I’m allowed, but we can always dream, right!
Author Websites and Profiles
V. E. Patton Website
V. E. Patton Amazon Profile
V. E. Patton’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account