Interview With Author Victoria Terrinoni
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a long-time freelance writer. I have written one book, and I am working on the second one now, coming this fall. I moved 18 times with my husband, a retired Air Force Chaplain, including twice to Fairbanks, AK and once to Hawaii. We have shared experiences, and I feel blessed.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My book is called Where You Go, I Will Go: Lessons From a Military Spouse. I wrote the book after reading social media and hearing how lonely and lost many new military spouses are. This book is for military spouses or those who are curious about the military lifestyle.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Not really. I write directly on my laptop, not long hand as some writers do. I think that comes from my days as a newspaper reporter under deadline.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
In non-fiction, I like Gretchen Rubin and her books on habits and happiness. I am also a fan of a fellow military spouse Kristen Strong, who writes about change, which is something military spouses know all too well. And I love A. J. Jacobs because he is hilarious.
In fiction, I am a fan of Janet Evanovich and W.E.B. Griffin and the way they both make the reader fall in love with their characters. I often feel like I’ve lost my best friend when I come to the end of one of their books.
What are you working on now?
I am writing a book about my husband’s experiences in East Africa. It is a book of hope and how meeting some people changed my husband’s, and my, view of the African continent.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I engage with my audience on social media — Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. I also have own website where I blog about being a military spouse.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Make sure you know your subject and your ideal reader before writing. It will help you keep focus on what you want to say to them.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Puke it up and clean it up later. I don’t even remember who told me that, but it was back in my newspaper and magazine days. Basically, get the first draft out. Editing will turn it into the product you want it to be.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading a lot of books on writing and also military spouse related. Right now I am reading National Guard 101 by Mary Corbett. It is a guide for Guard and Reserve spouses to understand their place in the military cog.
But I just finished A Man Called Ove by Frederick Backman. What a fantastic book. When I finished it, I sat quietly for a few minutes ruminating.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Promoting my first book and writing my second one. It is a non-stop job.
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?
The Bible, Emma by Jane Austen, All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, and Beyond the Beautiful Forevers by Katherine Boo.
Author Websites and Profiles
Victoria Terrinoni Amazon Profile
Victoria Terrinoni’s Social Media Links