Written Interview
Tell me about yourself. What do you like to do outside of writing. What is a day in the life like for you?
Outside of writing, I am very creative-oriented. I like to work on a variety of craft projects: painting, cross-stitch, sewing, and making scrapbooks. I spend most of my day working on various aspects of my writing and publishing efforts.
What inspired your first novel? What was the thing that got you into writing in the first place?
My first novel was inspired by a poem I wrote. I thought it might make a good song, and I approached a more musically inclined friend about working on that together. And that’s where my idea was born.
I got into writing in third grade. My teacher had us write in a journal every day, and I discovered that I really enjoyed expressing myself that way.
How do you come up with characters? Are they spontaneous or meticulously planned?
I don’t have one particular method for developing my characters. I utilize various questionnaires and templates, depending on the mood I’m in. I also incorporate visual representations of these characters. My core characters always have some sort of bio about them. A lot of my minor characters are more spontaneous.
What are some of your favorite genres to read? Are there any books you’d recommend to first time readers or people looking for something new?
My favorite genres to read are psychological thrillers, romance, mystery, and biographies/memoirs. I gravitate towards stories about animals and road trips. I don’t have any book that I would recommend across the board because reading is such a personal experience. I would ask about their interests and go from there.
What’s the most difficult thing about being a writer?
Being disciplined and writing every day. There are so many ways to get distracted and put writing on the back burner. I strive to write five days a week. I don’t always succeed, but I keep going.
What is your process to completing a novel from outline to final product?
I used to use 3×5 notecards for my chapters with a summary on each card. Now I use Plottr, and that allows me a lot more freedom and flexibility. I make detailed character profiles and can have multiple story lines tracking all at the same time. It’s such a helpful tool.
What’s the most unhinged thing you’ve written in your novel? Don’t worry, we don’t judge here.
This is going to sound pretty tame, but there is a spontaneous skinny dipping scene in my first novel.
What’s one thing about being a writer that absolutely drives you up the wall?
Waiting for other people to finish their job (editing, cover creation, etc.) so I can take the next step towards publishing my next novel.
What does being a successful writer look like for you? What type of life do you want to live as a writer?
I will feel like a successful writer when I’ve sold a million copies of my books. And hit the NYT Best Seller list at least once. I want to be able to have a custom home built for me with an indoor swimming pool. So I can swim year-round instead of only three months out of the year.
Describe your writing journey. If you had to write a story centered around it, do you think you could pull it off?
I have had several periods during my writing journey where I have been too sick to write. Literally fighting for my life and unable to write in any kind of creative space. I really don’t want to relive it by writing about it. Hard pass.
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About
Selina Violet is a writer, entrepreneur, and author. She is passionate about sharing her stories with others. Before establishing Violet Publishing, Inc., Selina honed her skills in the education, banking, and health care industries. She loves 80’s music and movies, concert tickets, and Hershey Kisses. When she’s not glued to her keyboard, you can find her reading, crafting, or planning her next epic road trip. Selina lives in Pennsylvania with her children and two spoiled
recues, a dog and a cat.
Social Media
Website: https://selinaviolet.com
Instagram: @selinavioletauthor
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