Author Interview ~ Valerie Wicks

Hello Literary Lunchbox Friends ~

After a short hiatus, I am back in the blogosphere. Yay! 

I am delighted to post an interview with my new friend and fellow author - Valerie Wicks.

Here goes...

                                          Who is Valerie Wicks?

My name is Valerie Wicks and I love worlds, characters and stories. I am the author of the middle grade fantasy/adventure series, Seven Spectral, and I suppose my lifelong obsession with books, movies, and video games got me there. My mission is to entertain you! :) I want you to have fun, expand your imagination, and dive deep into a world you've never seen with characters you trust. Growing up, that experience meant more to me than anything. I will never forget the journeys I've taken into the books, movies, and games of my life. In a way they built me, so my hope is to give a gift to you. I want to give you something you loved and lived. 

What got you interested in writing?

I've always loved telling stories. I wrote four ridiculous books in high school. I wouldn't suggest reading them, because I was in high school, but it was great practice! I went on to learn storytelling in film school, then became a video game producer where I told stories in a totally different way. I even did theater for a while. Now I've come back around to books thanks to a little floppy disk I found cleaning out my room in my parent's house in Atlanta. It had a story I wrote when I was ten about seven worlds, each a different color of the rainbow. I loved the idea so much I took it back to LA with me and wrote my first book, Seven Spectral: Into the Red World.

Is Middle Grade your favorite age category?

The short answer is yes. Everything I write comes out middle grade, young adult, or some crazy mix of the two. Middle grade is really my jam though -- so much adventure, magic, and character. I love books like Harry Potter and shows like Doctor Who. It's all very middle grade. 

What is the hardest part of writing for you?

Time. I always just want more time. I can write forever -- I can write my way through writer's block without much issue. I just need the time to be able to do it. I want to start putting out two books a year, so we'll see if I can do it!

What is one of your favorite books? Why?

You have to ask the difficult questions, don't you? Hmm, since I have a forum to explain my answer, I'd like to say Ender's Game. It was my favorite book growing up before all of the controversy. The whole situation makes a good argument for keeping authors behind the keyboard and out of the spotlight, because the book is still so striking despite its writer's upsetting beliefs. As far as the book goes, I love the psychological exploration of a character so young and so damaged by war, and forced into leadership through that damage. I love the discussion of what it means to communicate with someone foreign. I love the world, or universe rather. And I've always been one for strategy. It's an irresistably painful book, but it's growing pains, for sure.

If you could have any literary characters over for dinner, who would it be and why?

Probably the hobbits of Lord of the Rings, because you KNOW they would do it second breakfast-style. They'd bring lots of laughs and great stories. And afterward, they could introduce me to Legolas and Aragorn. Talk about yum!

Tell us about your latest book.

My latest novel is the second book in the Seven Spectral series, The Orange World Outlaw. It's set in the wild western frontier of the Orange World and follows the second of seven heroes in the series, Javier Jones. Don't worry though, Emer will be back! They all will -- there may even be some sign of her in this book…

Here's a description!

Javier Jones never wanted to leave his comfy home, loving family, and blossoming career as a troublemaker. But when his town is attacked by a horde of outlaws, he must hitch a ride with a traveling circus and journey to the capital for help. Little does he know, the circus is up to more mischief than even he can manage, and it all centers around a mute jester-girl and her magical Green pyramid. Can Javier and his strange new companions put an end to a plot that could mean the downfall of all seven spectral worlds?

Where can readers find out more about you and your books?

You can find out tons about my books and my seven worlds on my website www.sevenspectral.com. You can also see trailers for both books there, and later in 2014 I will be launching a Seven Spectral video game where you can explore each color world! Join my mailing list and follow me on twitter for all the latest updates!

Blog you later!

Ali B.