An Interview with Victoria Scott (author of Fire & Flood, Four Houses & More)

Recently I was lucky enough to interview the lovely, wonderful, talented, and funny Victoria Scott! First, here is a bit about her:

AUTHOR BIO

VICTORIA SCOTT, THE COLLECTOR

Victoria Scott is a YA writer with a deep love for dark and humorous books. Her work is represented by the fabulous Laurie McLean of Larsen-Pomada literary agency. She has a master’s degree in marketing, and is a member of the Writers’ League of Texas and Teen Shiver. Victoria lives in Dallas with her husband, Ryan. When not writing, she can be found scouting cotton candy and snuggling obese cats. To earn her undying affection, visit her website at: 

http://www.victoriascottya.com/ 

And now, for your pleasure, is the interview! I hope you enjoy it! :)

Amanda: When did you make the decision to take on writing a novel and why?

Victoria Scott: I thought about it for several years, but was afraid writing a book would kill my love of reading. Eventually, about two years ago, I decided to take the plunge. It’s been a wonderful experience and has only heightened my appreciation of reading.

Amanda: Do you think it could be advantageous for writers to tackle a short story, and if they’re pleased with it even look into options such as Barnes & Noble’s Pubit service?

Victoria Scott: Absolutely. I like the thought of giving readers a sampling of your work for cheap, or even for free. Plus it helps get feedback so you can incorporate that into your longer works. 

Amanda: What made you decide to write in the Young Adult genre?

Victoria Scott: Honestly, I just love reading YA. So I couldn’t imagine living/writing/working in any other genre.

Amanda: Do you listen to music while you write? Does each project have a different soundtrack?

Victoria Scott: Sometimes, but not as often as other writers I know. I generally only use music with problem scenes. For example, I used a Limp Bizkit song to write a fist fight scene. Bet many of you can figure out which song. ;)

Amanda: Marketing is a big part of this business that many aspiring authors don’t know a lot about. Any general advice? 

Victoria Scott: Be prepared to spend just as much time marketing as you do writing. Subscribe to marketing magazines or read online articles often. And remember, we’re not salespeople. It’s more about building a relationship with others in the hopes that one day they’ll buy your book without you asking. 

Amanda: In regards to Facebook and Goodreads, did you set up Author pages before or after you had an agent?

Victoria Scott: Definitely before. Agents want to know you “get” marketing before they sign you.

Okay, now that I asked the “Serious Questions” on to some “Fun Questions.” Here it goes:

Amanda: If you could listen to only one song forever, which song would you choose and why?

Victoria Scott: Probably 50 Cent’s In Da Club, because I like a little gangsta’ in my life: 

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5qm8PH4xAss 

Amanda: If you could read only one book forever, which book would you choose? Why?

Victoria Scott: The first Harry Potter. It just has everything I want in a book. 

Amanda: If you could cast yourself as a character in any book which book would that be and why?

Victoria Scott: Oh, oh! I want to be Elena in The Vampire Diaries. Two boys fighting over me and long, swishy hair? Yes. I’ll take that, please.

Amanda: I know that you’re a big Harry Potter fan. So I was wondering, if you were an animagus what animal would you want to transform into? Why?

Victoria Scott: I would like to transform into a lion. Because who would mess with a lion? Exactly.

A BIG THANK YOU to Victoria Scott! This is a great interview! Informative and fun! 

And everyone, don't forget to visit Victoria Scott's website and to check out her short story Four Houses! The link can be found on her website and in my review of Four Houses on this blog! 

Thanks for reading this! :)  

Short Story Review: Four Houses by Victoria Scott

 Title: Four Houses
 Author: Victoria Scott
Release: eBook June 26, 2011


Synopsis:
A young girl faced with four choices, must make a decision that will forever haunt her.



Excerpt:
The door in front of me is the ugliest shade of plum I've ever seen. It's a prune Grandma would eat, a raisin on its last leg, a swollen bruise in the most inconvenient of places. 


The waiting is the worst part, wondering who will open the door. But this time the waiting is killing me, tearing me down piece by piece and devouring me with its insatiable jaws. 


I bite my lip and raise my hand to knock. 

Review:
I loved this story! Certainly one of the best I have read. I've read a few in my lifetime and it's hard to come across Young Adult Short Stories -unless I'm missing something and if I am please let me know. The writing in this story was poetic and lyrical yet still realistic. I could picture what was happening each step of the way. I'm legitimately getting chills up spine now just thinking about it. 
The way the story is formatted is also very unique. I will admit when I looked at the first page I was thrown off, but after reading it I have to say the format fits the story perfectly.
This story is about decisions. Decisions. . .a word often dreaded. Even the simplest ones can be so hard to make. When we have to make one that will affect us forever, it is even harder. The main character Victoria has created has to make arguably her biggest decision ever.
A wonderfully haunting beautiful story. Don't miss this one!  
Rating: 5 Stars!

Get Victoria Scott's Four Houses here: http://www.victoriascottya.com/work/fourhouses/

Happy New Year!

I've been making resolutions ever since high school I think. Maybe a bit earlier than that. I didn't actually keep any of them until my 2011 resolutions. Because I made them more like specific goals. I did the same thing for this new year of 2012! 


So here they are, my New Year's Resolutions/Goals 2012:
1. Read 17 books in 2012.
2. Finish the first draft of my novel.
3. Edit my novel.
4. Send out queries to agents and publishers.
5. Set up an Etsy shop.
6. Practice yoga at least once a week.


For some reason, I think number 6: "Practice yoga at least once a week" will be the hardest to stick to. 


As for my blog, it's still fairly new and I'd like to make it better. I want to do more reviews, and I would love to start to receive books for review. I want to participate in more memes and would be absolutely ecstatic to do interviews with authors, writers, agents, editors, publishers and so on. 


The first review I desperately must do is of Four Houses by Tori Scott. I've been saying I would do a review for too long now. So my next post better be a review of Four Houses! 


<3 Amanda Leigh