Writing with Victoria James

Victoria James shares her writing process.

Every book must begin with a cup…or two of coffee :). Next I always set up a playlist-sometimes I’ve started the playlist before I even start on the book. If a song I feel is right for the book I already know I’m going to be writing, I’ll start the playlist ahead of time.

I think I write character driven books, and it’s usually characters that will speak to me and intrigue me enough to begin a story idea. I’ve learned to always have a notebook for jotting down ideas or quick snippets of dialogue.

I always have to submit a synopsis to my publisher, so I will refer to that before I begin writing the book. Then I’ll break it down chapter by chapter. Sometimes I’ve written that synopsis over a year ago, and I’m always amazed at some of the details I’ve forgotten as I reread that synopsis before I begin writing. I do tend to stray from the synopsis-quite a bit sometimes.

I try and get the first draft written quickly and try not to edit as I write it. I will also write certain scenes out of order if they are just begging to be written. The second draft usually involves me massaging the scenes and getting everything in order. The last draft is all about looking for inconsistencies, grammar, etc.

I do have a hard time letting characters go but I’m so happy when the book is released and I can share them with my readers!

Thanks for having me on your blog!

Victoria

Falling for the PI Still Harbor # 1 by Victoria James
Release date: August 10th, 2015
Published by: Entangled Bliss

Synopsis

Teacher Kate Abbott’s fresh start in Still Harbor was the beginning of the life that she and her two best friends always imagined for themselves. Still, being a working single parent of a special needs daughter hasn’t exactly improved Kate’s love life. But Kate’s preference for nachos over men quickly disappears when she meets the oh-so-sexy Matt Lane.

Until she finds out he’s a cop.
Matt is a former cop-turned-private investigator, and he knows fear when he sees it. A cop clearly spooked Kate…or hurt her. Still, something about the gorgeous professor catches his attention, and despite his “no settling down” policy, he can’t resist her. But all of the attraction in the world won’t be enough to overcome Kate’s past…

Add Falling for the PI to your Goodreads shelf.

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About the Author

Victoria James is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romance.

Victoria always knew she wanted to be a writer and in grade five, she penned her first story, bound it (with staples and a cardboard cover) and did all the illustrations herself. Luckily, this book will never see the light of day again.

In high school she fell in love with historical romance and then contemporary romance. After graduating University with an English Literature degree, Victoria pursued a degree in Interior Design and then opened her own business. After her first child, Victoria knew it was time to fulfill her dream of writing romantic fiction.

Victoria is a hopeless romantic who is living her dream, penning happily-ever-after’s for her characters in between managing kids and the family business. Writing on a laptop in the middle of the country in a rambling old Victorian house would be ideal, but she’s quite content living in suburbia with her husband, their two young children, and very bad cat.

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