Spotlight on... Victoria Schmidt

Victoria, on behalf of all the Savvy Author members, I would like to thank you for taking time out of your schedule for this interview. I came across your craft books last year, and I’ve found your teachings and exercises extremely helpful to me. Okay, fangirl squee out of the way... on to the interview!

Name: Victoria Schmidt
Occupation: Author
City of Residence: Los Angeles

Now, a bit about you, how long have you been writing?
I wrote my first full story at the age of 8, a Charlie’s Angels episode, and continued to write on and off my whole life.

What convinced you to get started on your first book? Were there any major challenges that almost prevented you from going ahead with it?
Well I never thought I’d wind up writing non-fiction, I love non-fiction and read it constantly so it’s only natural for me but it wasn’t a goal I set for myself. While I was in film school we were told not to write female leads and told there was no female hero’s journey model so I got upset and set out to discover one and write a book about it… next thing I knew I was a published undergrad. There were no major challenges, it was as if it were meant to be and just ‘was’. When you find your niche things seem to just come together.

Did you ever imagine that you would become a published author? Did any major celebrating go on? J
I’m still waiting to have a big book party LOL life was pretty crazy back then… actually life was pretty crazy when I wrote all of my books so maybe there’s something to be said for ‘craziness’ J I kept a photocopy of my first check and went to the bookstore to take pictures of the book on the shelf. When you actually see it in the bookstore, it feels ‘real’. I expected to feel more excitement but it felt ‘normal’ somehow like ok this is what I’m meant to do.

What are some of your favorite authors, genres, and/or books?
I love Stephen King and Anne Rice for their rich description and intense themes. As a kid I loved Agatha Christie. In non-fiction, I read way too much to choose! I enjoy books that have tangible techniques that one can put into practice.

You know, description is something I think I struggle with in my own writing. Unfortunately, I’m scared to death at the prospect of reading another Stephen King novel. I read It when I was ten, and I’ve not gone near that man’s writing since-lol


What do you do in your down time for fun and relaxation, assuming you have any J ?
Not much but I do love to do things that feed the muse… belly dancing is a MUST for women writers you have to just try it to see what I’m talking about! Martial arts is great to get back into the body and out of the writer’s head and walks in nature are so very helpful. I also know a lot of creative techie types who hold interesting events, I love to try new things and meet new people whenever I can.

Ahh, I do enjoy belly dancing myself. I find it very invigorating and it helps me to tap into my creative side.
Yes It’s one of those things you just have to experience.It really loosens up your energy and your joints, it wakes you up.


Now, a bit about your work. What inspired you to write craft books designed to helped writers complete their books?
I wrote the books I needed as a writer. When I had trouble with something and couldn’t find help, I started researching and wrote down what I needed in order to move forward.

I love Book in a Month and have personally found it a huge asset in my own writing process. What made you decide to write this book? Did you face any major challenges writing this particular book?
I was conducting research on achieving goals and how habits can be changed in 30 days and I just kept thinking this would be great for the writing process. We make the process so much harder then it has to be! We need to let go and just spit it out… worry about the specifics later. We’ve all seen hundreds of films and books, we know what to do, we just have to sit down and do it. Then I read about how important it is to do what you love and found that applied to writing in the sense of picking the right project to work on, nothing stops you more then working on something that isn’t ‘you’. Trouble is most writers don’t know what is important to them and just jump into a genre. They really need to look at what they are passionate about before going with a story idea.

I must admit, I have my eyes on Story Structure Architect. What advice/help do you have for authors that struggle with laying out their plots in such a way as to keep the readers hooked and engrossed in the story….
While this book is about plot, the way you keep readers hooked is really not about plot, but about how the writer and the hero care or feel about the plot. It’s the details and the emotions behind it all that keep the reader hooked. You use the plot as a foundation to get those deeper feelings and messages across.

Thanks for sharing a bit about you and your work with us Victoria. Before we wrap up, do you have any upcoming releases or projects you are working on?
I am working on a few programs for Book in a Month right now, either working with me or with an audio program. I’m uploading audio files from some informal teleseminars and including some for free when you sign up for the newsletter…. Actually I’ve been studying with the top marketers in the business and I’m learning a LOT about how to build a platform and I’m adding that to this program. VERY interesting stuff. I will also be branching out into more mainstream non-fiction soon.

Nice, please keep us posted on this.
Certainly, it’s begging to be written. Just way too much is floating around in my head about it. Did you know you could partner with non-profits to promote a fiction book and reach thousands of readers for free? Yes, I need to get this stuff out of my head J

Do you have any reader events coming up (workshops, book signing, tours, etc.)?
Uploading some teleseminars right now, and getting the audio course version of Book in a Month completed.

How can your readers stay in touch with you?
Through my website www.VictoriaLynnSchmidt.com There is a free Book in a Month group and newsletter there.

What advice or encouragement do you have for aspiring authors?
Write what you love, of course… but mostly accept the fact that this is a business. You can hide away and write but at some point you have to come out and do some marketing… just embrace it J

Once again, thanks Victoria and continued success to you.
You too, this is a wonderful group and I’m excited to meet you all.

About Victoria
Dr. Victoria Lynn Schmidt is an author, instructor, and holistic minded explorer of psychology, spirituality, and creativity. Her books combine her unique interests in ways that allow her readers to think differently about subjects while offering them practical tools to explore things on their own. Her first book series is the best selling Creative Writing Series - 45 Master Characters, Story Structure Architect, and Book in a Month. These books combine all of the above to show readers around the world how to hone their craft and reach their dream of writing a book or screenplay. (45 Master Characters was recently translated into Korean) You can find her at www.VictoriaLynnSchmidt.com




About the Interviewer
LaTessa Montgomery is a marketing coordinator and an avid reader of all things fiction, and have been since since she was a child. Her love affair with reading began at the age of five where she would literally beg her mom to drop her off at the library on Saturday mornings while she did her shopping. LaTessa's early years were spent reading every Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew book she could possibly get her hands on, and from there she transitioned to the Sweet Valley High series. As she grew older, she discovered the enchanting world of romance and has been hooked every since. Find out more about LaTessa at www.LaTessaMontgomeryAuthor.com.