Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. Hey there! I’m hoping all is well with you and yours. I am Vivienne Wallace Culp. My friends call me V or Mz V. Former students still refer to me as “Mother.” I am married to a wonderful man I call “My Everything,” mother and doting grandmother. I am a former machine stenographer, Para Legal, executive secretary, CPS in-service provider, developer of interactive educational media, and Master Tutor. I was an exceptional singer before developing nodules on my vocal cords due to overuse. I love drawing, painting, and creating 3d art projects. I still twirl my baton on occasion. I am an avid league bowler. Brick by brick, I created a wonderful basketball court for my son that stands today, a patio, and I climbed onto the roof and repaired it. No more leaks. YouTube is a great teacher.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “The Truth About Humpty’s Fall”?
A2. The challenge I faced was the lack of peace and living in an environment steeped in negativity and abuse. Although I’ve written before, I started this book more than ten years ago. Most often, my environment did not allow me to relax or think freely. During the day, I homeschooled. When I did write, it was likely between the hours of 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. I’m still a night owl. I slept with the bedroom door locked. For additional security, I’d move my heavy nightstand against it. God delivered me.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. The authors I lean toward do not influence me in my writing. However, Mario Puzo, Sidney Sheldon, and Danielle Stelle are among my favorites. Nursery rhymes influence me. After reading them to my children and students, we discussed what made sense and what didn’t. From there, I created a short story with illustrations about Humpty Dumpty. But it wasn’t until a dream that I began writing this series’ first book.
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. My favorite spot would be relative to the reason for my visit. Since I love bowling, I enjoy any place a tournament is held, regardless of the weather. We visit Detroit annually. Last year, we were on our way to Vegas for a tournament via California, where we stayed for a week visiting friends and relatives. In the beginning, it was wonderful. Then, we were involved in a vehicle accident. The only things that made it to Vegas were our bowling equipment.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘The Truth About Humpty’s Fall’?
A5. A vivid dream about the character inspired me. I researched the origin of Humpty Dumpty and was enlightened when I discovered it was a cannon atop a castle wall that fell. Can you imagine!
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘The Truth About Humpty’s Fall’?
A6. I started writing it more than ten years ago. When I was no longer living in turmoil, I was able to write consistently. “The Truth About Humpty’s Fall” was completed in 2023. I’ve pinned one other book during that time and started the second book in the series of “Our Twisted Tales.”
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. Readers can purchase “The Truth About Humpty’s Fall” at these sites. https://ourtwistedtales.com https://www.lulu.com, and https://amazon.com Kindle. However, as of this writing, I discovered that a company called “All Time Fans” has highjacked my book on “Amazon” and put it on sale for $24.23. The paperback is 14.99. The eBook is $9.99. Both are supposed to be secured and sold by Amazon. There is also a coloring book. The paperback is $7.99, and the eBook is $3.99. Like the reader, it appears it’s being sold by “All Time Fans” at a price of $16.64. I’m currently awaiting a response from Amazon. I am confounded by this. Be diligent in your undertakings and aware of things that can go wrong in the most trusted avenues.
To purchase reputably and at the correct price, please visit my website or Lulu.com. Thank you.
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘The Truth About Humpty’s Fall’.
A8. For the cover, I gathered all of the characters, placing them in a specific order and gave my idea to my illustrator, Robert K. Walker. He is magical! There was really no process by which I came up with the name because the fairy tale is not factual. Remember questions three and five. I developed the character and his journey how I saw fit.
Q9. When writing a book, how do you keep things fresh for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. This is a hard question. On occasion, I removed myself from the writing when I started to ramble and continued a few hours or a day later. I also read aloud to small groups and listened to their questions and comments. It was great. From this, I discovered key information that would have made some chapters cohesive was left out. The group helped me become more focused on the who, what, when, where, how, why or why nots. I took notes and focused on each chapter, sometimes having to return and adjust the tale to tie into the complete story. A rhyming dictionary was also handy because I enjoy writing in free verse.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?
A10.I wasn’t given any advice. However, I learned early in life to accept constructive criticism, not to change my idea to someone else’s and not to depend on my memory. I always kept a small spiral notebook and pen with me to record random thoughts about characters, scenes, what they might say or do, and how they interacted with Humpty Dumpty Eggleston and the cast. The result is a book I am proud of. It is a coming-of-age, gut-wrenching, heart-warming, humorous piece of entertainment and includes deception, common life lessons, morals, or a lack thereof, parenting and its absence. My advice is to keep an open mind. A closed mind is like a closed window with the curtains drawn. The room behind it never receives the freshness or light that comes with every new day. I am humbled.
Buy The Truth About Humpty’s Fall on author’s website
Sassy Reviews 