For those who don’t know you, tell us a little about you?
I’m a lot of things, but nothing perfect, just the way I like it. I’m a wife, a baker, and now—in an odd turn of events—an indie Latina author, writing contemporary steamy romance. In many ways, I’m just your girl next door with a shelf full of smut.
What is your writing origin story? Or when did you realise you wanted to be a writer?
Writing was always for fun, and never did I think it could be more than just that. Growing up I would write for personal purposes through journaling. I always had a creative side, and imagined myself in different situations—I.e. stories—and how I would resolve them. In college I took many creative writing classes as a way to separate my stressful course load with something more fun and relaxing. This was the highlight of my time at college, I even participated in a journal where we would publish creative stories and poems for college students to read. It wasn’t until the pandemic that the prospect of being a writer actually came to mind. My husband and I were working from home and spending a lot of time discussing the books I was reading, all of which were steamy romance. It wasn’t until one morning while we were out for a walk that the motion was set to start a story. The conversation began with, what would I write if I were to be an author, and transformed into characters, plots, and events. These walks became more frequent where we would discuss more on this world I made up, almost creating a whole story by him just asking me questions and me pondering the answers.
Tell us about your debut novel Burning little secrets?
Burning Little Secrets is about an engaged woman who finds herself stuck in a toxic relationship with her fiancé, who in many ways controls the prospect of her career and future. Our heroine, Julia, is a small town girl who fled to New York City for school and longed to live her story there. But when the toxicity became too palpable, she went home a week before her wedding and met Nathan, a small town hero, and firefighter who has secrets of his own that he doesn’t want to reveal. In an attempt to be free for just one night, Julia finds herself in a secret whirlwind romance the moment she locks eyes with Nathan from across the bar, (queue steamy romance).
Fun fact about Burning Little Secrets, the characters and setting were composed by an Instagram poll I created, where I asked followers to help me create the perfect book boyfriend. By the end of everyone’s input, Nathan was created; a 6’2, small town firefighter with hazel eyes, total cinnamon roll with abs. From there we created a story around the character and setting.
You have taken the publishing world by storm this past year with the release of your debut Burning Little Secrets and your new book coming out! I am so happy for you and excited to dive into this new world you have created! But I know that you have a full time job from what you have said on your instagram, so how do you balance writing, marketing, social media, life with a full time job? Everyone has their own way but I’m curious about yours because I am still in awe of your daily word counts in your instagram stories.
Balancing isn’t the word I would use. I tend to jump into things with both feet. I suppose I can recognize where my attention should be when needed. At work I’m focused on that, compartmentalizing that into a separate part of my life. Once I'm off the clock, the next one starts ticking. I spend most of my free time writing, marketing, posting, and creating content to engage with the community that I love. Luckily, (though hard work), this all falls within more enjoyment than the opposite. I feel like a lot of what I did in the past has lead me up to this. I used to
be a photographer for a fashion company. I managed their social media, web design, writing, and content. It all seemed to have prepared me for this one moment when I truly realized what I wanted to do. Thank you universe.
If you were to tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Be patient and don't feel the need to compare yourself to what others have accomplished. This is true for many things in life but writing especially. You should never get so focused on this idea of perfection, that you now lose the fun of writing. Once that is gone, there’s nothing left.
What is something you struggled with when writing your debut?
Most of what I have written in the past was short stories. I think the biggest struggle I had with Burning Little Secrets is adjusting my previous approach to something more drawn out. Pacing and structuring the novel was my most difficult task. Burning Little Secrets is a shorter novel, a way to dip my toe into the pool. I certainly learned a lot though, which has carried over into my next work in progress.
What is your favourite part of the writing/editing/publishing process?
My favorite parts are the ah-ha moments I get while writing. Oftentimes while in the midst of a story, I will get an idea that gives it an entirely new twist, a surprising element I had never thought of until then. My goal is to entertain—not only myself—but the readers that pick up my story. Reading is a commitment and I want to give them the thrill that I would hope to receive with any novel. I’m here for the emotional angst.
What are you currently reading?
I’m currently re-reading Someone Else’s Sky by Jessica Hawkins. I can’t get enough of the series. I love the development of the characters, and of course, Manning is my favorite book boyfriend.
What inspires you the most with writing?
With everything I write there needs to be a message. What inspires me is to tackle topics that may make others uncomfortable, for the sake of forming a connection with a reader who may be going through something similar. I also like to ask why a lot. Why would someone stay in a toxic relationship? Why would someone cheat? Does everything need to be morally wrong, or is it more complicated? I want to empathize with those in a situation, and I want to transform the possibility for a new perspective. Amongst this inspiration, is the desire to put into words the things that are difficult to express. Here is the creativity, here is the reflection of what I feel inside.
Any writing quirks?
Maybe not so much quirks, but maybe more a tradition. I usually get in the head space to write with mood lighting, music, setting a vibe that makes me feel immersed. This puts me in the zone, and without it I feel a little lost.
Do you work on one book at a time or multiple? If multiple, what is your process?
I work on one book at a time, but there are multiple ideas in progress, if that makes sense. The bulk of my time is dedicated to one project and that is seen through until it is completed.
How many hours a day do you write, or do you go by word count? Night writer or morning writer?
Having a day job during the week limits my writing habits to be at night. Setting a writing schedule has helped me to keep all of my tasks organized. For example, writing time is usually eight to ten at night. As my writing routine evolves it becomes less about word count and more about quality. Compiling a draft is difficult when you only put two hours each day during the week, but during the weekend I treat it as a workday, with 5 to 8 hours spent at the computer.
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
If I’m not writing, I love spending all my time with my husband, where we divulge in our guilty pleasure; Junk tv. I also love to bake, thrift, and make homemade pizza. Oh and my husband and I love to laugh and give one another a hard time, all in fun.
In your experience, how long does it take you to write, edit and publish your books?
This is still a learning process for me as a new author. I used to think having a specific range of publishing was a key to success, but that’s changed. I don’t know what my range for publishing is and I’m ok with that. So far between both novels it has varied, but my current work in progress has turned into two books instead of one. So naturally there is more time being spent on it upfront, but the results will be publishing the two books within a shorter time frame from one another. I think with more experience, I’ll have a better idea of how long it takes from start to finish.
Favourite book boyfriend?
Hands down my first and current favorite is Manning Sutter from, Something in the Way series by Jessica Hawkins. He’s a complex character who has a tragic backstory involving his family and his true love is a forbidden one, one that goes against everything he believes in, really.
How do you develop your plot and characters?
When it comes to developing plot and character, I complete them in separate stages. Plot comes first when I outline, developing the challenges and topics that I wish to tackle. Characters come second, and act as place holders during the first draft, as I begin to discover who they are. They truly become their own people, and I'm telling their story as if they exist. By the second draft I'm adding much more depth, now knowing the people that live within the story. Each character has a piece of me in them, whether a preference, a trait, a fantasy or habit. Eve in Burning Little Secrets is obsessed with 90’s pop culture, and brings up topics that I grew up with, (i.e. my own extensive Beanie Baby collection). There are always little easter eggs to the characters as well, something I leave in for the people I know, a wink so to speak.
Describe a typical writing day.
With a day job, my typical writing day is spent at night each day of the week. At night I focus on the chapter at hand, first outlining the specifics and goals of the chapter, (this is separate than the main outline). This more specific goal tackles inner dialogue ideas, quotes or vibes I wish to express and topics that need to be addressed—whether it's from past chapters or to set plot points for future chapters. After this clearer objective is completed, I move forward with beginning the chapter, always struggling with the opening sentence or paragraph. Once that is done, its all down hill from there.
What books or authors have inspired your own writing?
Jessica Hawkins is by far my favorite author. She’s an inspiration when it comes to the hard topics she writes about. The awareness in topics she brings such as a female main character not wanting children, I absolutely relate to this and is what I aspire to have in my writing. I want to represent women who don’t have traditional views on relationships that society has placed. I want to see women who don’t want to get married and are happy being in a relationship. I want to see women who are happy being single, or finding a new path of love in their journey.
What are you currently working on?
Lawsuit and Leather is my current work in progress, involving a love triangle between two childhood best friends and a celebrity bad boy who changes it all. The official blurb and cover are being revealed December 16th, 2021! I am thrilled to share this with everyone and you can stay up to date by following me on my social media!
Fun fact, Lawsuit and Leather was supposed to be my debut novel, however I kept getting stuck on ideas. I took a break from it to try something new, thus Burning Little Secrets was born. Lawsuit and Leather was the concept my husband and I would talk about during our long walks, and holds a special place in my heart. I’m excited for it to finally come to life and share it with the world.
Any advice for new writers still navigating the writing trenches?
Always keep writing. Something I like to do is seek out writing prompts to develop a story. This truly helped me discover what my writing style was. Believe it or not, when I first began writing Lawsuit and Leather early 2020, I wrote it all in third person, because I thought that was what was expected. However, I realized three quarters of the way in, that I didn’t like writing from the third person perspective. It didn’t feel like me at all. So I switched it to first person and felt so much happier and complete in my writing journey.
Want to learn more about Vivian and her books?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vivianmaewrites/
Website: https://www.vivianmae.com/