H. Schussman's Interview with Venita Louise

Venita Louise Interview

Heidi:

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

I live in Southern California and collect books, dust, and thoughts. Lots of thoughts. So many that I keep a list of them on my web site. I am most often found glued to my computer or reading.

Heidi:

What genre do you write?

Venita:

Wow, I wish I knew. I certainly don't recommend being eclectic but that is what I am. I started with romance and moved on to humor to accommodate a challenge and then mystery and paranormal. 

Heidi:

When did you start writing?

Venita:

I got kind of a late start, as with just about everything in my life. I have always been involved in the arts though. I was a portrait artist for many years but after getting a taste of how many changes people wanted for their images, more hair, straighter teeth, smaller nose and fewer wrinkles, I moved on to drawing and painting animals. Pets are not so particular and never insist that you remove their freckles.

Long ago, back in the late 1900's :) I woke one morning with an idea for a story in my head. I tried to forget about it but my mind is very insistent, especially in the mornings. I often hear it say, "oh good, you're awake!" before it begins its tirade of obscure ideas. I gave in after a few weeks of obsessive thought-lashings about it and sat down at my computer to drain my brain. Nine months later, 'In The Rough' was born. This romance novel was eventually published by Loose-Id in digital format but is only available through my website now,www.venitalouise.net  

Heidi:

What are you working on now?

Venita:

Actually, it is a mystical/supernatural novel, sprinkled with humor and lessons I have learned from my own challenges and transformation. It takes me a little longer to finish stories now. Aside from working full time, I sing lead in two bands that my husband and I put together. The original band is called, White Smoke. We perform all of our original music that we have written together, the other is a cover band called Meridian, very eclectic and covering popular songs from the 30's to current songs on the pop chart. Needless to say it I have to juggle my time. 

Heidi:

Who is your favorite character in your stories?

Venita:

I love the character I am writing now, Xoni, she's funny, doubts herself a little and is struggling to believe the strange and mysterious things that are happening to her. Of my previous works, I would have to say I like Tom Trask, a 1940's hard-working, hard-drinking, lady-loving detective. His humor is dry and a little sarcastic but when he falls in love it's the forever kind and Olivia is a lucky girl. 

Heidi:

Do you see yourself in any of your characters?

Venita:

Most of my characters love excitement and surprises. I'm more of a routine kind of person, not exactly rigid but more introverted than they are. We do share the same type of humor though. Without humor, I would have been dead a long time ago. 

Heidi:

Where do you write? Describe your workspace?

Venita:

I have a little nook in one corner of my living room where I write. My desk is usually cluttered with notes, reference material and Diet Pepsi cans. My husband tells me if I would simply get organized, my writing would flow more freely. I just laugh and explain that it is my 'comfort clutter' that helps me to write in a feasible manner.  

Heidi:

Who are your all-time favorite authors?

Venita:

I love the descriptive writings of Jack London. I belonged to The California Writer's Club for over five years which was founded by Jack London. I like Stephen King when I feel like having the bejeebers scared out of me. Erma Bombeck and Loretta LaRoche have had me doubled over at times. I also like Mary Roach who wrote, Stiff and Gulp, stories of cadavers and gastric systems. Her writing could almost be considered a mystery writer's reference guide because of her detail to science, but her humor keeps it quite readable. 

Heidi:

Did you find writing a query letter a challenge? If so, how did you overcome it? Do you think there was a key phrase or idea in your query letter?

Venita:

You bet I did. I don't think I will ever think I have it conquered. It's just something that is necessary if you want to be published. I feel better about a query letter that describes the story without a personal opinion of it, or myself. 

Heidi:

What advice do you have for a writer aspiring to be published?

Venita:

Don't give up. When you have enough rejection letters to paper a room, consider yourself a professional. 

Heidi:

Would you like to acknowledge someone for their help/assistance/faith in you?

Venita:

First, I would like to acknowledge Dawn Carrington and Vinspire (formerly Vintage) Publishing for believing in me.

My son, Joel, may he rest in peace, he always encouraged my creativity. Bernice Bowers for her continued enthusiasm for my work and of course to my husband, BJ, for his help and faith, but most of all for understanding that writers need quite a bit of alone time.

Thank you, Heidi, for giving the writers at Vinspire more exposure and the opportunity for readers to know them better.

Heidi:

Absolutely! I enjoy it immensely.

Venita Louise invites you to visit her at:

Meridian

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