It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with VM Roberts, author of Imprints of Her Decisions, I Am Spivey and Merry Molly Ambassador

Author’s Bio: VM Roberts’ hobby is writing. It’s a passion she discovered in fourth grade at East Suffolk Elementary School. This hobby has led to publishing fiction and non-fiction titles over the past thirteen years. She has written a two-set collection of her memoirs, crime thrillers, women’s fiction, young adult novels, and a series of children’s books for a total of 26 books. She’s working on a humorous romance book of short stories and a historical fiction novel.

A Suffolk, Virginia native, Ms. Roberts resided in Trenton, New Jersey, for ten years, eventually settling in the City of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for thirty years.   These cities and their surroundings are often the settings for her writings. She currently resides in Howard County, MD.

 

Ms. Roberts is a healthcare administrator with over thirty-five years of experience in the industry. This experience has allowed her to serve as a college instructor for fifteen years.

 

She holds an MPH in Epidemiology, an MBA in Health Administration, and a BA in Journalism.

  

Deliah Lawrence: What is your writing process?

VM Roberts: Wow, it’s complicated. I employ the use of technology 99% of the time. When an idea pops into my head at odd times, I grab my phone, type it into the notes section on my iPhone, and email it to myself.

 

Ideas are constantly popping into my head regardless of where I am – Walmart, the doctor’s office, a road trip, in the middle of dinner (lol). I’ve held up the line in the market a few times, jotting things down on my phone so I don’t lose my thoughts. I’ve been known sometimes to allow folks to go ahead of me.

 

I maintain a spreadsheet of names, fictitious places, career titles, etc., so I don’t have to search for what I’m looking for when I need it. Random searching for things like this slows me down. I have over 700 first and last names in my spreadsheet. I use street names and names from movie characters from the 30s, 40s, and 50s. I use last names as first names and vice versa. As far as fictitious places-restaurants, colleges, and medical facilities-I place them in real neighborhoods & streets.

 

I Google highways, neighborhoods, towns, etc., to ensure my geographical information is correct. (Don’t you love technology?)

 

About my spreadsheet, when I write, I name each book title per tab [right now, I have ten titles I hope to complete by the end of December 2024]. This is where I outline my plots and subplots. The subplots allow me to keep things moving logically in the book. The order of my information is crucial. I can’t have Noble getting married in one chapter and two chapters over, she’s dating a guy from Florida (lol).  

Every adult character in my books has a medical condition, is educated, and has a physical flaw. It’s the way of the world. Think about the people that you know. Do you know anyone twenty-five or older who’s not being treated for at least one medical condition? Everyone that you know has some type of education-whether formal or informal. Formal is more visible. Ask a bus driver who’s been on the job for 10-15 years. They could write a how-to book. Physical flaws are natural. Some are hidden with makeup, but it’s there.

 

DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way, either growing up or as an adult?

VMR: Not really. I have favorite authors, though-Richard Wright, James Baldwin, August Wilson, Zora Neale Hurston, Alice Walker, James Patterson, Patricia Cornwell, David Baldacci, and my all-time favorite-Louis L’Amour. He writes Westerns. One of these days, I’m going to attempt a Western. I love’ em (lol)

 

DL: If you could choose a superpower, what would it be and why?

VMR: Heart Zapper. If I see a person who’s selfish, unkind, inconsiderate, etc. I’d zap them a new lifetime heart.

 

DL: If you were hosting a dinner party which three authors would be your dream guests and why?

VMR: David Baldacci (political suspense with that lawyer’s touch), James Patterson (contemporary crime writer), and Louis L’Amour (western). All three are pretty intense, detailed, and thorough writers in their genre.

 

DL: What are the keys to success in marketing your book(s)?  

VMR: I market in the local communities where I’ve lived and worked and where my family lives. Social media is good, but I rely on my old stomping grounds to get the word out-Philly, Jersey, and my hometown-Suffolk, VA.

 

My husband is quite supportive as well. He’s from North Jersey and always tells his family and friends when I have a new book released. My budget is relatively small, so I determine the best use for my dollars.

 

Example: If you had $250 to spend over a three-month period, which would you choose-1 Facebook ad or 3 book festivals in your local communities over five months?

 

DL: What tips would you give to aspiring writers?

VMR: I would give them the following tips:

• Never Stop Learning About Writing (it’s a never-ending process)
• Don’t (try) copy someone else’s style. Develop your own.
• Enrich Your Vocabulary by Reading (it really doesn’t matter what you read, as long as you read)
• Research. Fiction writers do research. Contrary to what the public thinks, there are facts in fiction writing. If your research skills are not up to par, begin to develop them by researching things you know nothing about. 

DL: What are three fun facts about yourself?    

VMR: Here you go:

1. I was a writer for my high school newspaper.
2. I wrote for the college paper when I attended Mercer County Community College in Trenton, NJ. I interviewed Maya Angelou.
3. I was a writer for the Temple University (Philly) yearbook during my last two years of college.

DL: Would you like to share an excerpt from Imprints of Her Decisions?

VMR: Sure! Here’s an excerpt (In Her Care) from Imprints of Her Decision which is a book of 10 short stories:

 

Essex stood up abruptly and pointed her finger at her youngest brother. “Maybe if you had the guts to tell her, we wouldn’t be in this predicament. So you, mister, just shut up!”

She strode across the room to the table in the dining room, grabbed her purse, and returned. She stopped before Butler and pulled an envelope from a side pocket of the purse.

“Take this letter.” She thrust the envelope into the woman’s left hand.

“Our endearing mother died because of you. Your clumsiness and stupidity are beyond me. I don’t care how long you’ve been working with patients. You should have never tried to handle a 300-pound patient by yourself. When you caused her to fall and hit her head, she suffered a concussion and went into a coma; days later, she died. We are suing you and the nursing care agency. Your name is at the top of the list.”

Butler’s mouth dropped in disbelief! Thinking back, over the past year, she recalled the silent treatment, going out without her, the meetings with his sister and brother, and family functions without inviting her. All this time, her husband blamed her for his mother’s death. 

She stared at all of them. How could they? This was unreal. The fall was an accident. The envelope clutched in her right hand, Butler left the room, tears streaming down her face. The anniversary celebration is an afterthought at this point.

 

Note: I Am Spivey was released May 11, 2023 and Merry Molly Ambassador was released May 16, 2023.

 

DL: What new projects are you currently working on?

VMR: I’m working on the following projects:

Adult

• A historical novel (based in Philly)
• A book of 10 short stories-romance humor (based in Virginia, Philly & Jersey)
• Book #3 of a political series based in my hometown (Suffolk, VA) 

Children

• Book #5 of My Life With Leah Chandler Series
• Glover Cousins Book #1 of a new children’s series 

I try to write 4 books a year. The goal is to complete 3 more books for 2023 from the ones above. I’ve started them already. It’s a matter of making it to the finish line with 3 of them (lol).

 

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and purchase your book(s)?

VMR: Readers can find more information here:

• Website: https://mysuffolkgirlbooks.wixsite.com/my-site
• Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B00XIIP0VK/about
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VMRobertsAuthor62
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/suffolkgirlauthor62/
• Blog: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18822204.V_M_Roberts/blog

DL: Thanks so much for being here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.

VMR: Thank you very much!