Interview With Author Vivienne Branson
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
My name is Vivienne, and I’m an emerging author. I grew up surrounded by art and history in Imola, Italy, a town known for the F1 races.
Since I was a child, I have always loved writing. I still keep a personal diary that I wrote over thirty years ago, and it covers six years of my life.
My favorite authors are Agatha Christie, Lord Byron, Marie Shelley, and Edgar Allan Poe. They influenced me as a human and a writer. I have published one book; it’s a Victorian-style Gothic short story.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my book is Athanasia: A Gothic Short Story. Athanasia means immortality in Greek. In this story, we have two love stories in which the protagonists — who belong to the living and the dead — face important issues such as identity, grief, and immortality. I love Théophile Gautier, and his work, Clarimonde, was the inspiration behind my tale.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I act out my characters’ dialogues. By doing so, I can perceive their emotions on a deeper level.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Tolkien, the Romantic and the Victorian authors are my influencers. For me, Romanticism was a rebellious era in human history where emotions flourished and resonated with the love of nature throughout the arts. Instead, the Victorian period was a flourishing time for science and industry. The Victorian writers also denounced social issues, like poverty that increased in the urban areas. Through these two periods, the Gothic style changed, reflecting the realities of society. In Athanasia, there’s an emphasis on emotions, and one of the female protagonists lives in London, not in a castle settled in a rural area. Hence, my Gothic stories are influenced by these two periods.
What are you working on now?
I am working on two books. The first book is about magical realms where witches, hybrids, reptilians, and elves live. Tolkien is my inspiration in this novel. The second book is about a Bulgarian vampire who lives in Greece and is divided between a mysterious woman and his servant.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still exploring the different methods. I use social media platforms, newsletters, and Amazon ads. Giveaways are an opportunity to entice people to read your book. You get some exposure. However, planning is crucial for a successful giveaway.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Having the right mindset is everything. Have a plan, be smart, patient, and above all, don’t let fear be your guide. Educate yourself and take action. Don’t wait for the right moment, it doesn’t exist.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Courage is being afraid and doing it, anyway.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading Carmilla by Sheridan Le Fanu and The Garden of Promises and Lies by Paula Brackston.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I want to write a collection of Gothic short stories, and possibly complete my novel inspired by Tolkien’s works.
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 Alchemist by Paulo Coelho; The Poetical Works of Lord Byron. Collected and Arranged with Notes by Sir Walter Scott, Lord Jeffrey; The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien; The House of Spirits by Isabel Allende.
Author Websites and Profiles
Vivienne Branson Amazon Profile
Vivienne Branson’s Social Media Links