Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hi, I’m Victoria Ravenwood. I love all things fantasy – books, games, movies etc and I’m the author of a young adult fantasy series, the Water-Folk Saga. I live in the UK, and my other mega hobby alongside writing is birdwatching. I record all the birds I see, keep a life list and my lifetime goal is to see half the species of birds in the world! I’m currently only at 10% though. Some people say that is a bit dorky, but to them I say – get outside and find the joy in birdwatching!
I’ve written and published one book…so far! It’s called Jade and Tar. I am currently nearing the end of first draft of my second book, Copper and Smoke. Then it’s onto book three!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Jade and Tar is my first book, a young adult fantasy adventure that’s currently out on Amazon. In my non-author job, I’m the head of a primary school and in Jade and Tar, the main character (Cali) is stuck in ‘the Academy’, which she is desperate to escape. So I guess you could say that I took some inspiration from real life there!
I also adore the Monkey Island games and Guybrush Threepwood. I love how he is a bumbling fool at times but still ends up OK in the end. I took lots of inspiration from him for Dagwood, one of the key characters. It’s also set on a tropical island with pirates and sea voyages – escapism? Yes please!
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
There are key scenes that I know I want to write that I play over and over in my head. Then when I get to the actual writing and finish the scene, I get really disappointed that it’s over and have to leave the book for about a week before I write the next chapter! I might be a tad too invested!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Robin Hobb’s books. I adored the Farseer Trilogy when I first read it when I was seventeen. There is a key moment in that book for me, which I won’t share here because of the massive spoiler, and I vividly remember reading it to this day. I would love for my writing to have that type of impact on someone.
The Liveship Traders trilogy is also a big influence for my current series.
What are you working on now?
I’m on Chapter 21 of Copper and Smoke – it’s a slog, because I’ve just written a scene that I had planned out for such a long time. However, I find when I come back to the chapter and re-read it, it’s not as bad as I thought, and it’s only the first draft still.
I am also slowly planning book 3, which doesn’t have a name yet. I have key scenes mapped out but the bits in-between aren’t quite there yet. I need to get thinking and invest in some ‘dream time’ as the great Michael Morpurgo calls it!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
If only I knew! I find social media like Instagram is great to connect with readers and other authors & bloggers. I’ve just got to remember that I am not a professional bookstagrammer and there’s a reason my book pictures don’t look like theirs!
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Yes, read books on the craft of writing. Everyone says to read a lot and in your genre, which is definitely true, but craft is also important. One of my favourites is Save the Cat by Jessica Brody. It helped me to see which parts of my novel worked (the bits that came naturally from reading a lot) and which parts could be tweaked.
I’d also say just go for it. If only one person in the entire world reads your story, it’s one more than if you hadn’t written it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
I’m not sure if this is a piece of advice or just something I’ve picked up from spending my working life in the education sector but the way we talk to people is so important. For example, a teacher would never (I hope!) tell a child in their class that their work is all wrong, they’ll never get any better and they’re rubbish, even if deep down they think it. So why does this stop when we become adults, both in the world of work and in our personal lives? It’s too easy to put others down and be negative. Find a way to say something constructively without crushing someone.
What are you reading now?
I am reading Sabriel by Garth Nix. I’ve only just started it but I am loving it so far!
What’s next for you as a writer?
Release Copper and Smoke in January, get Book 3 planned out and write, write, write!
Also, to escape that blasted Academy I mentioned earlier!
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?
I would take:
1. The Lord of the Rings – all 3 books in one (hopefully that’s not cheating!)
2. The NEW Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Expert Advice for Extreme Situations – I had to Google this one and figured it would help me last more than a few days.
3. Jade and Tar – I know that sounds cheesy but I think it’s good to celebrate achievements and plus it’s set on a tropical island, so the content should be relatable!
4. 1984 by George Orwell – it is an all-time favourite of mine!
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