Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Hello!
My name is Vivian Mae, I am a steamy contemporary romance author with one published book, Burning Little Secrets, and an upcoming book, Lawsuit and Leather, to be published February 22, 2022!
A little bit about myself, I am a Latina author and will be exploring cultural diverse characters starting with Lawsuit and Leather.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My debut novel and single published title is, Burning Little Secrets.
What inspired Burning Little Secrets to come alive is actually a funny story. I was taking a break from the first novel I was writing, Lawsuit and Leather, and intended Burning Little Secrets to be a short story.
During writing, I realized the characters needed a much longer storyline. So I thought it’d be a novella length and nope! It ended up being a novel length.
My biggest inspiration was Julia, the heroine, she was going through a toxic relationship that I wanted to see her come out of. There is cheating in the story and while it’s “frowned” upon in romance novels, I am happy I did, because I received a few messages from readers that loved it. They related so much to it.
Fun fact about Burning Little Secrets, the characters and setting were composed by an Instagram poll I created, where I asked followers to help me create the perfect book boyfriend. By the end of everyone’s input, Nathan was created; a 6’2, small town firefighter with hazel eyes, total cinnamon roll with abs. From there we created a story around the character and setting.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Maybe not so much quirks, but maybe more a tradition. I’m all about mood and atmosphere! I usually get in the head space to write with mood lighting, music, setting a vibe that makes me feel immersed. This puts me in the zone, and without it I feel a little lost.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Although I’ve been reading romance novels for a long time, being part of the Bookstagram and Booktok community is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. There are so many tropes that I never knew existed and therefore didn’t truly have a sense of any authors that I truly enjoyed enough to be influenced. However, once I began reading romance as a romance writer, I fell in love with Jessica Hawkins and the way she writes her heroines.
Something that truly stands out to me each and every time I read one of her books is her storylines. Jessica Hawkins doesn’t shy away from tough topics and I admire that. That is something I aspire to write about and help make a difference in women’s lives when it comes to my writing.
I want women to be able to relate to the heroines I write, to feel the characters and the journey they are part of.
What are you working on now?
Currently I am working on a steamy contemporary romance, Lawsuit and Leather that is a love triangle combined with a few others tropes: childhood friends, celebrity, good girl/bad boy, unrequited love, and age gap.
I know, I know. Love triangles apparently are on their way out, but not for me and many others. I can’t help but root for one man until the end. Love triangles are deeply rooted in movies, tv shows, and books. What can I say? Lets enjoy this ride together, because this story will be very angsty.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Although I have a website, my best method to promote my books comes down to marketing on social media by connecting and engaging with readers. Tiktok and Instagram are my all time favorite platforms, so you’ll catch me there the most.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
There are so many tips I’d love to provide, but here is one that helped me when I struggled through my very first draft.
Your first draft is going to be bare, it’s not going to be pretty, it’s going to be the start of your foundation.
Don’t beat yourself up if you read it back and you don’t like it or feel discouraged because it doesn’t sound like your favorite best selling author’s book.
It won’t be, because it takes multiple drafts.
Think of your drafting process as a skeleton. Each draft you revise will be muscle added, tissue, nerves, flesh, etc…
And no matter what, there will always be readers for your story, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My favorite quote was truly when I was struggling with writing. I compared myself to others who started around me or who has been established. Don’t ever compare yourself to anyone else, because you are unique, the way you see your stories, the way you create will not be the same as anyone else.
Tell your story, because it’ll make a difference to someone.
What are you reading now?
I just finished Vow of Deception by Rina Kent on audiobook.
Oh that cliffhanger has me DYING!!
Yes I listen to audiobooks and yes they are a form of reading.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Lawsuit and Leather was supposed to be a standalone, but the story has become so grand that it is a duet.
Honestly… at this point with my track record, I wouldn’t be surprised if it became a trilogy.
I’m kidding.
But… also not kidding.
What is your favorite book of all time?
This is hard, because the most I read the harder it becomes to keep myself tied to my favorite, favorite. Something in the Way by Jessica Hawkins is one of my favorites. The angst and forbidden love story of Lake and Manning has my heart forever.
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