Interview With Author Vastine Bondurant
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’ve written stories since I was a child, many of them were done with sketches until I dared to try and actually write the stories.
I didn’t start writing seriously until 2009, and was first published in 2011.
Including my latest book, I’ve written five books.
My books, so far, have been historical fiction; however, I like to classify them as ‘vintage’, as, although they do take place in other eras, they’re not as focused on history as they are the images and hearts of those eras.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is titled “Joseph’s Coat, Book One, Jettatore.’
It had been inspired, back in 2009, by a dream of a character. His image, anyway.
It took years of writing and re-writing him and his ‘world’ until 2022, when I finally realized WHO he was and WHEN he was.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I wish I had writing habits!
The only habit I do have, which I suppose is not so unusual, is that I cannot write without music. Always with earphones on.
And every character has their own soundtrack, every scene is geared toward whichever music is the inspiration.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My favorite of all time is J. D. Salinger. Not only his writing which is odd and yet perfect, but his loyalty to his work and his head-strong way of sticking to the integrity of his stories, not matter what.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on the second book in the series of my just-published book.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
It’s been so long since I did promote my books, and that’s a learning adventure right now. I do promote regularly on “X”, on my Facebook author page and on Instagram.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
I feel so new myself, even though I’ve written ‘professionally’ for a while.
But I can say, from experience, to trust your gut with your story but always be humble enough to be open to learning from those who’ve been before you.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
About writing? So much fabulous advice, it’s hard to say which has been the best.
But the biggie, the one that I cling to: Not so much to write only what you know, but to write what you LOVE and then research, immerse yourself in it, so that you DO know it.
What are you reading now?
I am reading “The Archers of Saint Sebastian’s, Book Two: Squires” by Jeanne Roland.
What’s next for you as a writer?
To write the second and third installments of “Joseph’s Coat” and to relax, now that the first book is published, and to ENJOY the writing of it all.
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?
Wow. Hmm. Well, “The Catcher in the Rye” (J.D. Salinger); “American Tabloid” (James Ellroy); “The First Man in Rome” (Colleen McCullough) and “Dark Lover” (Emily Leider….a biography of silent film star Rudolph Valentino).
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