Vicki B. Williamson is the self-published author of two thrillers featuring museum curator Ellen Thompson: Finding Poppies and Key of the Prophesy. She’s working on a fantasy trilogy, and has dabbled in children’s fiction and short stories.
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
I have always loved to write, but in 2015 I wrote a short story that ended up becoming my first novel, Finding Poppies. I was hooked after that.
How long did it take you to write your first novel? What was the hardest section to write?
It took me about eleven months to finish Finding Poppies–that’s betas, editor, everything. First draft was done in about five months. My favorite scene is when my protagonist, Ellen Thompson is running and hiding from the bad guy onboard a bullet train going from Paris to Marseille. It flowed when I wrote it, and the final version was almost unchanged from the first.
Since you’re working on both a series and a trilogy, what are the differences between writing/planning?
Well, I’m a ‘pantser’ so I don’t plot, so very little changes. I’ve often said that I watch my characters and document what they do. I have some background, and some ideas of what I think will happen, but often that changes and things happen I don’t expect.
What is your favorite genre to read? To write?
I read a lot of different genres. I don’t think I have a favorite. If the writing and story are good, I’m all onboard.
My first two novels are thrillers and they were fun to write–doing the clues and the solutions. Fun. I got to do poetry as a clue and discover some real secret societies, etc.
My current WIP is a fantasy trilogy and that’s been fun and challenging in a different way. More true imagination–which is both the fun and challenge.
Do you have any writing routines?
No. I try and write everyday, but that doesn’t always happen. When it doesn’t I try and not kick myself too hard. Guilt doesn’t help the creative process. Even when I’m not writing, I’m thinking about the story.
If you could give one piece of advice to someone, what would it be
Writing: Just write. Don’t edit. Get the story down. The first draft is just yours so it doesn’t matter how much crap you think it is (and all writers think their story is crap). Just keep writing.
What are you working on now?
As I said, my WIP is a fantasy trilogy. I’m on the third book of the three. The first two are done, but just rough drafts.
Is there anything you’d like to plug?
My books! Finding Poppies is the first of a series and Key of the Prophecy is the second. They’re thrillers and once they start, they really don’t stop.
*As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.