Here at Olympia, we love hearing from our authors, getting an insight into their lives in writing and asking them what their advice would be to future authors. This week we had the pleasure of interviewing Victoria Day-Joel about her book.
What has been the biggest highlight of this journey so far?
The initial news of having a publishing contract was the most exciting time, the reviews I’m receiving of how the readers are connecting with the book now is wonderful.
How much research did you do in this book?
It required no research, it was very much expression from the heart.
How many hours a day or week did you write?
I wrote over a 10 month period so roughly 4 poems a month, whenever inspiration came I would write at any hour, the quickest poem I was walking through Cheltenham and the lines filled my mind and other poems could be workings over a long period to re-visit.
Did you edit anything out of this book?
No, but there were things I missed and came across later. I write with whatever means I have, mascara when I’ve not had a pen to hand or text myself in the middle of the night not to forget any fleeting thoughts, I found lines in many different notepads which could have been added!
What was the first reaction you had when you held your book for the first time?
A proud moment and quite surreal that the book you have visualised and only seen on screen is right before your eyes.
What was the hardest part of the book to write?
The book came naturally to me, the back cover blurb was hard, I found it hard to see how others would perceive it as I was immersed in the emotion. Was it unrequited love or was it about the love affair with a friend, would they get together?
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
Follow your heart, do what feels right and don’t give up, if you feel moved by something write about it, don’t let the time pass as each moment is a creative opportunity. Also, write when it comes to you no matter how insignificant you think it might be, as you can go back and re-work it after it might be that hidden gem!
What is next for you, as an author?
I’m writing another Poetry book which is a very natural process documenting real life as it happens so there is no timescale. I would also like to explore different types of writing in the future.
What was your experience like with Olympia Publishers?
Excellent, this was my first book and I appreciated all the help and assistance throughout the process, I couldn’t have done it without them. The artistic content was not changed in any way making it very fluid and quite joyous knowing you’ve created something together
