Author’s Bio: Victoria Kennedy
is a fiction writer whose stories range from fun and romantic to insightful
explorations of cultural and societal challenges. Sometimes all these elements
are combined to create stories of Black love and woe. Victoria’s work is
included in The Dating Game anthology
and the self-published collection, Where
Love Goes, which includes “The Uninvited Guest,” adapted into an eponymous
stage play.
Victoria
is the founder of Zora’s Den, a writing group for Black women writers that
entails a closed Facebook group, a series of writing workshops, and a monthly
reading series based in Baltimore. Her debut novel, Sometimes Love was published by Brown Girls Books in August 2017.
Her next novel, Don’t Walk Away, will
be released in February 2019.
DL: What inspired you to write your book?
VK: Insomnia inspired me to
write my first book. I don’t sleep very much and I fill those sleepless hours
with all things creative – from writing, to playing music, or reading.
DL: Describe your writing process? Do you use an outline or let it
flow organically?
VK: After loosely planning
what my story will be about, I don’t outline. I write, as the story develops,
very organically. I identify as a “pantser” as opposed to a “plotter.”
DL: What do you think makes a good story?
VK: I think interesting
characters placed in relatable circumstances make for stories in which readers
can see themselves or fantasize about. I like having readers imagine being in
my stories. It drives them to invest emotionally.
DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in
any way either growing up or as an adult?
VK: The first novel I ever
read was Harper Lee’s To Kill a
Mockingbird. It showed me the magic of engagement in a story. It was the
beginning of my love affair with reading, which to me is the gateway to writing.
DL: If you were hosting a diner party which three authors would be
your dream guests?
VK: They would be:
a.) Zora Neale Hurston
b.) Beverly Jenkins
c.) Colin Channer
DL: What are the keys to success in marketing your book(s)?
VK: These 3 keys have been
successful for me.
a.) An online presence (social media, blogs, website).
b.) Participation in conferences and readings.
c.) Local promotion (It’s important to create
familiarity where one is located physically).
DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers?
VK: I’d advise aspiring
writers to create a regular practice of writing, to read widely (across genres
and interests), and when possible, interact with other writers.
DL: How about sharing an excerpt from Don’t Walk Away?
VK: Here you go:
The candlelight from the votive on their
table created an ambience that relaxed Leah and made her glad she’d accepted
the dinner invitation. The seafood restaurant he’d chosen was located right
above the marina at the Inner Harbor.
Floor to ceiling windows framed an endless view of black with occasional
twinkles on the face of the water. Except for three other couples, the place
was almost empty. Leah was glad for that. She liked the idea of having Morgan
all to herself, but she couldn’t forget her own rule about them not dating. She
had no right to yearn for his kiss again, yet she couldn’t shake the
reminiscence of tasting his succulent lips.
“Did you enjoy your food?” His eyes
communicated something else, a question where he asked for permission to touch
her and even though the words were not spoken, he reached across the table to
take Leah’s hand.
“Yes, very much.”
“You have very soft hands. You know
that?” The steady rhythm of his hand
rubbing hers was doing things that made being in a public place uncomfortable.
Each stroke of his flesh across hers made her mouth drier and her panties
wetter. Leah crossed her legs and cleared her throat.
“No. But I’ll take your word for it.” She
withdrew her hand from his.
Morgan smiled. “You’re not going to make this easy for me,
are you?”
“It seems you’ve got the impression this
is easy for me.” She raised her brow in
a questioning gesture. “It’s not, Morgan.”
“Well, let’s make it easy.”
DL: What’s on the horizon for you?
VK: After releasing my next novel, I’ll be publishing
an anthology from Zora’s Den. Other personal projects include resuming work on
a short fiction collection and the sequel to Sometimes Love.
DL: Where can readers learn more about you and
your book(s)?
VK: Readers can find me here:
·
Website: www.victoriaadamskennedy.com
·
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Victoria-Kennedy
·
Facebook: Victoria
Kennedy, author page
·
Twitter: @vickiewambui
It’s been a pleasure
having you here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you
and your work.
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