Q1. Hello Ma’am, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
I’m Victoria Day-Joel, 42 from Gloucestershire, England. A published Poet and Author through Olympia Publishers London. Poetry Inspired by Oliver 2018 and New Beginnings 2020.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘ Poetry Inspired by Oliver ’ book?
My challenges came after the writing of Poetry Inspired by Oliver. The writing was very secretive as I wrote poems to share my innermost feelings to Oliver, my friend and muse. I didn’t set out to write a book, but it became one! Nobody knew I could write including myself so it was all about following the moment, a hidden talent discovered in my late 30’s brought about by the situation I was in.It felt like I was sharing my private journals to the world, it felt so powerful I felt compelled to send off my manuscript.But also I wanted to give a book as a gesture of love to my friend.Olympia Publishers were the only publishers I sent it to and It was accepted.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
I write from the heart and only started reading poetry after I had written my first book. I’ve had no training or study, so I’m not technical in any way. I’ve discovered Anais Nin as my writing was compared to hers, but I love discovering new poets too. So many talented people who are unknown
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
I live near Lakes and Parks. In Cirencester my hometown we are privileged to have ancient parkland which continually inspires me, I’ve written in New Beginnings, the poem ‘Corinium’ in Cirencester Park and ‘Lake Story’ by the Cotswold Lake whilst drinking coffee. Cirencester will always hold a special place in my heart wherever I am.
Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?
With Poetry it’s all about capturing the moment, the mood, the inspiration, the thought, the desire before it leaves. I will write lines on the go on my mobile phone and come back to them and piece together later. So far, It is pretty much chronological.
Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘ New Beginnings ’ book?
New Beginnings was written over a two year period. Life has to happen to record it! It all came together in that time span. Early 2018 to early 2020 before the pandemic.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find your books to buy?
Worldwide; Amazon. Olympia Publishers. Hive. Blackwell. Wordery. Book Depository. Books etc. Waterstones. World of Books. Booktopia. WHSmith. Bokus. Foyles.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the cover and the title of your books?
Book Covers; it’s a collaboration between the design team and I, My vision for Poetry Inspired by Oliver was a male and female silhouette, Olympia came up with the rest. I didn’t have any colour ideas but as soon as I saw the hot pink it fit perfectly with the passion and romance. For New Beginnings, I wanted the continuity as it follows on chronologically even though they can read in a separate order. I knew I wanted the blue colour, a female silhouette and sunshine to fit perfectly with the narrative. I’m perhaps half way through writing my next book but can already visualise the front cover! Book Names; They both fit perfectlyto describe the narrative.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
As life evolves I write my personal experiences, since New Beginnings, we’ve entered a pandemic and the whole world has suffered sadness, fear and a shake up. This is documented in my next book but balanced with stories of happy memories so it is not too macabre, it is more political and provides other views I’m not expressed in my first two books.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
Both books have a Whitesnake song mentioned within a poems. It wasn’t intentional. Rock is my favourite genre of music.
Poetry inspired by Oliver in the poem ‘Our Harmony’ the original line was ‘If Saturday was my only memory, I could hold forever in your company’, the addition has double meaning as it was a song I chose to play on an evening with Oliver where the poem was inspired from. So the line became ‘Forevermore’ in your company to incorporate the song.Then ‘Mother Moon’ poem from New Beginnings mentions ‘In the still of the night’ it is now customary to add a new song title in each book. I have written the next one already in book three. Maybe my readers can find it!
Book Is Available On Amazon
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