Interview with Bree Vanderland

We've also conducted an interview with Author Bree (Brianna) Vanderland and here are her answers. Again, we have two different sets of questions, the second set being crazy and optional! Here are her answers!

1.       What does your writing process look like?

It’s honestly a mess! I have something to eat, something to drink, me in my pajamas! Not really a sight that anyone wants to see.

2.       Do you have any strange writing habits (like standing on your head or writing in the shower)?

I don’t know how to answer this. I honestly don’t think I do, do I? I don’t think I do and I certainly don’t write in the shower!

3.       What book do you wish you could have written?

This is a difficult one. I’m not sure. I’m jealous of these bestseller authors and their success even though one of my books hit the bestsellers list, but they’re doing so well and GAH! I wouldn’t say I wished I wrote any of their books.

4.       Just as your books inspire authors, what authors have inspired you to write?

Cameo Renae was a GREAT help in everything. When I startedgetting serious about writing and publishing, she helped by giving me a LOT of advice and helping me reach my goals.

5.       If you could cast your characters in the Hollywood adaptation of your book, who would play your characters?

This is another hard question. I think Michelle Trechenburg would be a good idea to play Lily from Dark Crown. I’ve alwayys admired her since Buffy the Vampire Slayer and I would be happy to have her.

6.       How important are names to you in your books? Do you choose the names based on liking the way it sounds or the meaning? Do you have any name choosing resources you recommend?

I choose names that I like. For my upcoming books, my main character’s name is Kaylin and another important character is Viessa. I like names that are unique and stand out.

7.       What do you consider to be your best accomplishment?

If I can help give advice to just one person, then I feel like I’ve done my job. Shatter Me has reached #1 on Amazon in it’s category though, so that really helps too!

8.       Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Let’s see… I’m… that old… and in ten years, I’ll be this old and I think I could be… Anywhere I want to be. Why should I put a limitation on it or even try to guess where I’ll be.

9.       Were you already a great writer? Have you always like to write?

I like to consider myself a GOOD writer, but at the same time, I feel like there’s always room for improvement.  I have always loved to write something whether it be grocery lists or homework assignment, but as a musician, we’re told one thing in all of our classes – there’s always room for improvement.

10.   What writing advice do you have for other aspiring authors?

My advice to all writers is to never give up. There will always be people who will try to bring down your success, but don’t let them. There’s no need to have those negative in your life, no matter how painful it is to leave those people behind.

11.   If you didn't like writing books, what would you do for a living?

I would bake! I love baking and I would do it all day every day if I could. I bake around the holidays, cakes, and cupcakes, and cookies… hang on… I need a cookie.

12.   Are you a plotter or a pantster?

Honestly, I’m a pantster… I don’t plan much, I just write. I know the beginning and the ending and everything else that happens is the character’s choice. I listen to them and I write everything.

13.   Do you read your reviews? Do you respond to them, good or bad? Do you have any advice on how to deal with the bad?

I do read all of my reviews as I like to know what people like and what they don’t like. As far as the reviews, no, I don’t respond to any of them unless they’re people in my street team who post them in the group I have. As far as dealing with bad reviews, take into consideration what they said, what they didn’t like, and leave it be. I read about the one author who practically stalked a blogger because she gave her a bad review and that’s way too much. Just know that you can’t please everyone.

14.   What is your best marketing tip?

SHARE YOUR BOOK – EVERYWHERE! I would contact a local newspaper as many of them are interested in interviewing a local author. Also, look at different review pages on Facebook. They would read, review, and more than likely do an author interview or an author takeover.

15.   What is your least favorite part of the publishing / writing process?

Editing my own damn work. I can edit other people’s pieces, but I can’t edit my own and it’s frustrating.

16.   Is there one subject you would never write about as an author? What is it?

Honestly, I don’t know. I feel like I would be up to writing much of anything, but I would have to try. Like, all of my books so far are Fantasy or Romance or Anti-bullying stances. I would love to expand, but a little at a time.

17.   Do you have a favorite conference to attend? What is it?

Currently I haven’t been to any, although I wish I had the time and money to go. I keep hearing about UtopYA and I feel like that would be my favorite since literally ALL of my favorite authors go! So jealous over here!

18.   Is there a certain type of scene that's harder for you to write than others? Love? Action? Racy?

My anti-bullying stories are always hard for me to write. They always have something that is near and dear to my heart. Many of them leave me crying by the end of them.

19.   How many books have you published if any?

I have quite a few out on amazon and B&N.com.  I think with Drowning Destiny now on preorder, I have eight out!

20.   What are you working on now? What is your next project?

My current project is to get Drowning Destiny edited for the release on December 7^th. I have started a new book and so far, it’s still in the beginning stages. It’s title is AmorVincit Omnia (Latin for Love Conquers All) and it is a Fantasy Romance of elves! I’m excited about this and hopefully everyone else is too!

Crazy Author Interview Questions (Optional)

1.      Do you write naked?

No, I don’t write naked! I am usually in my pajamas!

2.      What is your biggest failure?

My biggest failure? Would getting a C in Statistics count? I try my best at everything I do and to me, that isn’t a failure no matter the outcome.

3.      What is the biggest lie you've ever told?

Do we really have to get into this? I know they’re crazy questions, but that is a crazy personal question!

4.      Have you ever been in trouble with the police?

Only if you count my car accidents!

5.      Have you ever gotten into a bar fight?

No. I’m a non-adventerous person!

6.      Characters often find themselves in situations they aren't sure they can get themselves out of. When was the last time you found yourself in a situation that was hard to get out of and what did you do?

I think the last major situation I was involved in was someone harassing me online, trying to bring me down. For awhile I let them, but one day you realize that enough is enough and you can’t put yourself through that anymore. I know that’s crazy and something so simple, but it still takes a lot out of you.

7.      Do you drink? Smoke? 

Occasionally I drink, but I NEVER smoke. My lungs are bad enough without adding to them.

8.      What is your biggest fear?

Spiders. I hate spiders. That and losing the ones I love the most.

9.      What do you want your tombstone to say?

I’d rather not think about this. Hopefully I’m far away frm death and don’t have to think about it anytime soon!

10.  If you had a superpower, what would it be?

The ability to type and read super fast. Then I would put out all the books that I have stored in my brain!

11.  If you were a super hero, what would your name be? What costume would you wear?

How about Super Bree? I like that idea! I would wear pajamas, messy hair, and the “yesterday’s makeup” kind of look only because I’d be too lazy!

12.  What literary character is most like you?

If I’m being honest, I would say Hermione Granger. While I was in school, that’s most of what I thought about, but out of school, after high school, I grew and realized that there are more important things than school. There are people out there scared to wake up that morning because they’re being bullied and there are people that are starving.

13.  What secret talents do you have?

I can do complicated math in my head. I’m a musician and… hmm… I know how to fix cars thanks to my dad who is a mechanic. Do those count?

14.  Where is one place you want to visit that you haven't been before?

Italy! I would love to go to Italy and see the sights and GAH! I want to go!

15.  If you were an animal in a zoo, what would you be?

A cute penguin. I don’t know. I like penguins. They’ll rule the world one day!

16.  What is something you want to accomplish before you die?

I would like to accomplish… everything before I die! I don’t know! My hard work and dedication will give me something and whatever I get, I know it will be the thing I deserve.

17.  If you could have any accents from anywhere in the world, what would you choose?

An Australian accent!

18.  Do you have any scars? What are they from?

I have a few tattoos, those count as scars, right? I have one in between my knuckles of my pointer finger and middle finger on my right hand from an overn burn. I have a scar on my upper left arm from a cat who scratched me rather deeply.

19.  What were you like as a child? Your favorite toy?

As a child, I believe I was shy. I loved to read though and books were my toys!

20.  Do you dream? Do you have any recurring dreams/nightmares?

I do have dreams and honestly, I can’t remember all of them. Some of them are good and I wake up and I feel happy or for ones that weren’t so happy, I wake up scared with my heart beating in my chest. I don’t mind the ones that I do remember though. They help me come up with new book ideas! 

For more information on Bree and her books, please feel free to follow her:
Author Bree Vanderland (Facebook) 
Author Brianna Vanderland (Facebook)
Twitter: @AuthorBreeV 
Email: Author.Bree@gmail.com