Velda has been published in historical romance, regional non-fiction, articles in newspapers and magazines, short stories in anthologies and non-fiction in anthologies. Her book, Fly With the Mourning Dove was a Willa Award Finalist, and she was recently honored as Distinguished Citizen of 2010 by the Washington County Historical Society. Her latest books are The Boston Mountains – Lost in the Ozarks and Arkansas Meals and Memories.
Velda has been a writing mentor to hundreds of writers, sharing her knowledge of writing, marketing, blogging, publishing, and anything "writerly."
I hope you'll learn something new about Velda from the following interview:
Q. You’ve written several fiction (Images in Scarlet,) and non-fiction books (Fly With the Mourning Dove, Arkansas Meals and Memories, The Boston Mountains: Lost in the Ozarks.) Do you prefer writing fiction or non-fiction?
A. I am totally into writing fiction. It carries me away into the world I’m creating and it’s fun. However, writing and recording our history in nonfiction form is so enjoyable I have to continue doing it. I’m fascinated by the lives that went before us and the paths that were taken to make us who we are. So I guess I have to say I prefer writing period. Rather than say mowing grass, cleaning house, knitting, or the like.
Q. Do you have a single favorite book that you’ve written, and if so, why?
A. I can’t say I do. In the fiction books, I think the best one was Images In Scarlet, but I enjoyed writing them all and still enjoy remembering the stories. I think the Boston Mountain book is my best achievement in nonfiction. It’s the culmination of 20 years work and I’m very proud of it.
Q. I still remember the thrill of being notified of my first publication. In your career, you’ve been a Willa Finalist for Fly With the Mourning Dove, and you were recently designated as a Washington County Historical Society Distinguished Citizen. What has been your biggest thrill as a writer?
A. You know what? I so appreciate and am honored by the awards I’ve won, but my biggest thrill still today is being with other writers and sharing their expertise. So many wonderful writers have passed through my life, many I may never see again. But I’ll never forget a single one of them.
A. It begins after our mid-day meal. I’m not a morning person and can only manage things like cleaning or staring out the window at the valley below before noon. My brain kicks in after we eat and I’m in my office from 1 til 3 when hubby insists I get up a while and take a break. We chat for 15 minutes or so, then I’m back to work till anywhere from 4:30 to 6, depending on what I need to work on. I have a weekly schedule that I try to stick to except during emergencies. On Mondays I’m on the Internet promoting: Facebook, Twitter, website and other sites that need work; Tuesdays I work on articles on deadline for newspapers; Wednesday through Saturday I work on my WIP, which is usually works in progress because I often have a short story, a novel, and a nonfiction book underway at the same time. On Sunday that’s my day and I play. I don’t even like to take phone calls to do with the business of writing.
Q. For the last few decades, you have mentored hundreds of writers. I know I have learned so much from your classes, as well as our weekly critique group. With the wealth of information you’ve shared with writers, this may be a tough question, but can you summarize what you believe to be the most important thing a writer should know?
A. The craft of writing is important, of course, and polishing your work until it shines. That done, I believe once a writer has created her best work, the most important thing is perseverance. So many get a few rejections (100 or more) and they give up. I’ve seen writers give up when their first book doesn’t sell, and what a shame. Because it could be the third or tenth book that will be the one that sells.
Q. You’ve become very skilled in how to market your books. What do you think has been your most successful marketing technique?
A. I’m still trying to keep up with marketing online and have a lot to learn, but I’m working on it. I think personal contact with groups and word of mouth will ultimately sell more books for writers, but this is a difficult thing to achieve. I like marketing in small towns through libraries and independent bookstores because in most cases these people don’t have large book stores and welcome getting together with writers. Networking online gets the word out to more people, but when I’m marketing regional books it’s more important to remain within the area of highest interest in my product, so I concentrate on those places included in the book. It’s all a crap shoot, though. We do all we can to promote and market, and some things that work for me probably won’t work for others. Everyone needs to find their best promotional tools and stick with them. I’m going to speak on promotion and marketing of regional books at OWFI in May of 2011 and will do a lot of research this winter to find all the best ways.
Q. Can you tell us about some of your upcoming projects?
A. Yes, I’m really excited about trying to break into Ebooks, but I’m still working on selling a women’s fiction to a New York House. I don’t think print books will be killed by Ebooks, but I think they will exist side by side, equally. I’m also working on a biography for Old American Publishing and I have a memoir that I write on when the mood strikes me, or I recall a vivid story I want to include. I also have a new women’s fiction underway about a woman whose past tragedy is recreated in the life of her granddaughter. She must choose between the ghost of her lost lover and this girl she raised.
Q. If you could “pick the brain” of any writer (or anyone) living or dead, who would it be and why?
A. Most writers would choose someone well known, someone who has created classics, but I’ve always been fascinated by Ayn Rand’s beliefs. They were so “out there” for the times and she was such a strong woman who had survived dreadful experiences. I think she’d be one of my top choices, though there might be others. I’ll stick to writers here, since there are many great people who have literally changed the world and who would be fascinating to spend time with. I’d like to know what makes writers like James Lee Burke tick. How he can see and present the world with such exquisite precision is entrancing. I’d like to ask him how he does it, but I’d bet he couldn’t tell me.
If you'd like to learn more about Velda, her at the following sites:
http://www.veldabrotherton.com/
http://www.veldabrotherton.blogspot.com/
http://www.vbrotherton.blogspot.com/
Leave a comment for a chance to win Velda's book, Fly With the Mourning Dove. Drawing will be held on Monday, November 15. Watch for winner notification on Facebook and on this blog. Good luck!
What a wonderful interview. Velda is an inspiration to me. She gives her time freely and openly to up and coming writers and I admire that greatly. I've learned a lot from her and know if I pay attention, there's a lot more lessons to be learned from her.
ReplyDeleteWhen I picture Velda's face, I see a big smile and twinkling eyes. That in itself feels supportive.
ReplyDeleteBut it's the way she is directly encouraging, without it ever feeling pushy, that I most admire.
Thanks, Jan for your post. And thanks, Velda, for your fine modeling.
I enjoyed Velda's workshop, too. The practical help she gives goes beyond what goes onto paper. She has such an encouraging manner about her and down-to-earth advice. Although she does not flaunt it, it is obvious that she's very market-wise and has come to grips with the "tech-y" side of writing, too. I drop everything I can to get to her workshops and conferences. Velda, you are my heroine!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jan for interviewing me, and thanks for the comments so far. I really appreciate all the kind words. Now I'd better get to work.
ReplyDeleteVelda, I enjoy learning new things about you! You have given so much to the writing community, and as you can see, you're much appreciated!
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading the interview. I've only had the pleasure of knowing Velda about a year & a half, but have learned volumes from her. She has touched so many lives in a positive way and is a great role model. I'd like to know more about when she started writing and all the twists & turns in that journey. Maybe you could write her biography, Jan.
ReplyDeleteVelda, I like your organization of writing tasks by days of the week. I seem to get off course so easily that I think I will try your system. Of course, then I have to remember what day of the week to day is!
ReplyDeleteJan, thanks for interviewing Velda! I'm also looking forward to the next ones you've got coming up.
ReplyDeleteVelda, since I started attending the writer's group in Fayetteville, I feel like I've grown so much as a writer. Much of that is attributed directly to you.
Thanks for being such an inspiration :)
Velda is the Hallmark of our group because she cares enough to give her very best all the time.
ReplyDeleteMany dozens of us at the NWA Writers group have been coached through Velda's patience and wisdom. We are so lucky that she is willing to travel a long way to put up with us, her occasionally unruly and sometimes stubborn students. She's a bona fide blessing!
ReplyDeleteVelda is such an inspiration. She is so knowledgeable and so kind. She knows how to say just the right thing to both teach and encourage. I am so thankful to have met her. Thank you Jan, for sharing this interview.
ReplyDeleteJan, thank you for sharing this interview.
ReplyDeleteVelda is a wonderful gift to this community. Not only are her books delightful to read, she has an untiring dedication to help aspiring writers. She is an inspiration to us all.
Velda, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for your words of encouragement, your support, and passing on the knowledge you have gained.
I've learned a few semesters' worth of college creative writing in Velda's workshop. It's that "roll your sleeves up and down to business" approach to critique that helps new writers learn about several aspects of the business in addition to writing skill.
ReplyDeleteIt is to our benefit that a successful writer like Velda isn't too busy to help those starting out. It's like tithing creativity.
A lovely interview, Jan! I just set up an opportunity for a group of elementary teachers to hear Velda speak. Your interview gave me added insight and made me realize my group is really in for a treat! Thanks Jan and Velda.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to Jim Fairbanks! He is the winner in the drawing for Velda Brotherton's book, Fly With the Mourning Dove!
ReplyDelete