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Interview with Viv
Where are you from?
I was born in L.A. but I still live in the same
house I grew up in here in Southern California, pretty close to
the happiest place on Earth.
Tell us your latest news?
Well, I have officially decided that I will continue
the story of Lucas and Justin. I received such a response from
readers about Days of Silence, and truth be told, I really love
Lucas’ character and can’t wait to explore it some
more so I will be writing a sort of spin off series about Lucas
and Justin called A Time for Truth. I just started writing chapter
twenty of From Behind Those Eyes and I am still having a hard
time believing it has come this far, but it’s awesome for
sure.
When and why did you begin writing?
Well, I love to read, and for a while as a teenager
I was really into romance novels, but if you’ve ever read
one you know that the heaving bosoms and burning loins are definitely
well represented in those stories and at some point I just stopped
reading until I came across Comicality’s stories and then
proceeded to read every one he has posted, he’s amazing.
At some point his site lead me to GA and more authors and more
great stories, and eventually I met some people, friends who I
helped out, but one friend in particular, Matthew PazCastillo
helped me by suggesting I try and write something.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
This is a great question because it’s funny
how you write and write but never once actually consider yourself
a writer until something happens and then all of a sudden, you
do. For me, I had been reading this story called Josh Evolving
by Cole Parker and I got an email from him about From Behind Those
Eyes saying how much he was enjoying it and I was shocked that
he was writing to compliment me and my story so of course I emailed
back saying… ‘Cole Parker?? As in the author, Cole
Parker? Hmmm, well if you are, wow!...’ and then proceeded
to smile all day. He wrote back saying he didn’t think of
himself as an author really and that shocked me just as much,
so I took a few minutes to write him back and tell him just what
I did think about him and his story I had been reading, only to
find out that I had already read three other stories by him. Basically
when someone you consider to be a talented author calls you one,
it sort of clicks in your head and stays there.
What inspired you to write your first story?
I can tell you now that at the time, I practically
laughed out loud at the idea of even writing something when Matt
suggested it because there is so much amazing talent out there,
but he pushed, prodded, asked, provoked, and mostly motivated
and believed in me and so I tried… for him. I know that
sounds weird, doing it for someone else instead of myself, but
I sort of have this rule for myself, if I can’t do something
well, I just don’t do it. I know myself, and I know I won’t
quit, never could just give up on something, and I hate to lose.
I wrote a few paragraphs in secret, I didn’t tell anyone
at first because I was so sure it would be awful and it would
go nowhere but he was really supportive and excited and that was
all the incentive I needed, praise from someone you admire is
a powerful motivator. Thanks Matty for being you and believing
in me!
Who or what has influenced your writing,
and in what way?
Well, stylistically I would say reading stories
around GA is an education in itself, between Dom Luka and Comicality
and a few others from other sites it’s hard not to be influenced
by the abilities they have. I guess I love the way Dom’s
stories have the power to transport you to the scene, like his
every detail is accurate enough to let you vividly imagine what
you are reading. I absolutely love the way that I can actually
picture Comicality’s characters and their thoughts are so
clear, like if it was me in those situations, those would be my
exact thoughts, and he never misses one. I think everyone comes
into their own style, like Matt is more straight forward and to
the point and that’s a redeeming quality to have also because
I’m never bored when I read his stuff, and it’s usually
intense with feeling and emotion.
How has your environment/upbringing colored
your writing?
This is a great question too and I was just telling
a friend yesterday that I think that it is because of how I was
raised that I am so non judgemental and non discriminatory. For
example, if I was going to describe someone to another person,
I would say the blond lady; she’s tall and had on an orange
sweatshirt or the guy with the glasses and black jacket instead
of the old lady or the white dude. To me, it’s just who
you are and not a description I guess, I really can’t stand
how society has made everything so labeled and discriminate…
we are people, everyone of us is different and the same in certain
ways but there are some things that I believe are non descript
when it comes to human beings.
Do you have a specific writing style?
Hmmm, I guess I do, but what it is or how to describe
it, I have no idea. I know some authors plan out there stories
and have outlines or notes… I don’t do that at all.
I just come up with a plan, turn my music on, and write until
I get stuck and then I brainstorm with my collaborator/ super
best friend Dave and he gets me going again along with making
sure it’s realistic and accurate.
What genre are you most comfortable writing?
Well so far I have written just two stories and
both are teenage, high school style romance style stories. They
both have angst and sadness and anger, but they both also have
love and acceptance and forgiveness and pride for who you really
are and I think that is so important.
How did you come up with the title for your
story(s)?
Well, with From Behind Those Eyes, I had the title
in my head by the end of the second paragraph and it just stuck
with me, haunted me in a way that was so fitting for the story
and with Days of Silence it was sort of a play on words since
that was the short story I wrote for the spring anthology which
was supposed to be somehow involving Day of Silence and I thought
it fitting to change the word Day to Days since it was four years
of Days. I already seem to have the title for the spin off series
for that and I haven’t even written one word of that yet,
but it popped into my head and is so aptly fitting so I guess
we’re stuck with it.
Is there a message in your story that you
want readers to grasp?
You know, I never really thought about this much
to be honest, but yeah, there is. I want the people that read
my stories to know that they are worth something, that their lives
are worth living, that they deserve to be loved and have someone
to love, that they are perfect the way they are and if they aren’t
happy with the way things are, to work towards changing them.
I want them to know time isn’t something in endless supply
for any of us and regret and anger take up too much energy, go
after what you want, create your own happiness, and live each
day to the fullest extent you can because some day, it will be
your last day. I want people to know that they should be who they
are and that whoever that is, I respect you and I hope you respect
yourself, have pride in yourself, and believe in yourself.
How much of your story is realistic?
Hehehe, well, since I am a straight girl…
not a lot, but there are definitely real traits and personalities
and events that I have used from my own life, real emotions and
experiences that I have based certain things on.
Are experiences based on someone you know,
or events in your life?
Some are yes, or friends of mine who have told me
stories and given me their permission to use certain similarities
in the stories.
What books/stories have most influenced
your life?
As a kid I loved Charlotte’s Web and the Where
the Sidewalk Ends books and as I grew up more, I was the typical
girl that read series like Sweet Valley High. As an adult I haven’t
read much that isn’t on the net, but I will say that I read
Tuesdays with Morrie and The Five People You Meet in Heaven by
Mitch Albom and they are phenomenal books that contain everything
that is really important in life on their pages. Seriously, read
them!
If you had to choose, which writer would
you consider a mentor?
Well, I’m going to have to go with Matt here
I think, because really, he is the one that motivated me, helped
me be aggressive and go after success, and believed in me, allowing
me to believe in myself.
What are you reading now?
Oh my, so much! What am I not reading, I read like
crazy! Some of my favorites are What Lies Within by Rickdog, anything
Comicality, Second Wind by Mickey S., there are so many really.
Dom Luka is always awesome and Snow Angels that Dave got me hooked
on 101 chapters later and still going strong. Personally I have
some friends who I think are magnificent also, like KenderCleric
and Matthew PazCastillo.
What new author has grasped your interest?
Well, these guys are definitely not new, but new
to me and so talented. Luc and I sort of do this funny thing back
and forth where I tell him how amazing I think his work is and
he giggles and says that means a lot coming from me and then vice
versa but he really is a powerfully moving and descriptive writer.
Also, Vance has captured some of my attention, he is really great
too. There are a few others who would probably appreciate if I
didn’t publicly mention them, but I really think there is
some potential for greatness there if they would keep at it and
believe in themselves like I do, and of course there is Dave who
is budding and blooming and growing and excited more with each
day, he could definitely be spectacular also.
What are your current projects?
I’m trying to finish From Behind Those Eyes
and I am working in something for the summer anthology and then
after that I will write A Time for Truth.
Name one entity that you feel supported
you outside of family members.
Well, I definitely think of him as family so maybe
this is cheating, but Dave for sure, without a doubt. He has held
my hand and saved my ass so many times I lost count after chapter
one, so a HUGE thanks, and I have Joey, my HTML/vocabulary man
who never asks for a thank you but has done some hand holding
of his own for sure, and definitely all the readers who have written
me to tell me how much they were moved by my stories or how they
connected with them. How they have smiled, and laughed, and cried,
and actually felt and remembered things, it’s indescribable
how that really makes me feel.
How does your family and/or friends feel
about your book or writing venture in general?
To be honest, none of my friends even know I write.
No one ever asked and I have never told them, probably because
I haven’t had the confidence in my work to do that. Rich
and my kids are amazing though! I spend an awful lot of time in
here typing away and I know it’s hard on them, but he know
I love it and it means something to me and that makes it all worth
while.
Do you see writing as a long- or short-term
career?
Career? Wow, I would love it if it could be, but
for now I’m going to go with long term hobby.
If you had to do it all over again, would
you change anything?
This is a trick question, I swear it is! But, no…
we learn from our mistakes and from our experiences and so no,
I wouldn’t change one moment.
Is there anything additional you would like
to share with your readers?
Thank you for everything, for your support and your
amazing words and thoughts. Believe in yourself because I do,
and I guess just stay in touch. I know I get busy and life gets
crazy and hectic, but you all mean a lot to me and I love ya lots!
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