Indie Author Interview: Valarie Lovelight

Interview with Valarie Lovelight - Author of the Christian Romance Seeing Through the Eyes of Love.

Valarie Lovelight is an Indie Author and an administrative professional, who deals with people who are sick, dying or have lost family members. Often, these beset and bereaved people need a ministerial visit for prayer, comfort and other services.

Over the years, Valarie has interacted with people who have touched her life in their struggles and tragedies. This is where the heart strings of her writing stems from. Being able to draw on their emotions in what she has seen and heard.

Interview with Author Valarie Lovelight

Author Valarie Lovelight

Alan Kealey (Indie Author News): What is your (writing) background?
Valarie Lovelight: I’ve always had an active imagination and would write a couple of lines to describe my thoughts when I was young. I’ve never written anything professionally, I just kept a lot of personal journals. I wondered if I could write a book and dabbled here and there but never completed anything. In 2009 I entertained the thought of publishing a book. However, it wasn’t until this year I actually decided to follow through with my desire.

Who are your favorite writers, your favorite books, and who or what are your writing influences?
I really don’t have a favorite writer because there are some many talented and gifted writers past and present. As far as my favorite books, that would be anything that entertains, enlightens and produces self-growth. I will read a children’s book, poetry, fantasy novel, allegories, and biography, mystery, some suspense and thriller novels. Whatever interests me, I will read.

When did you first know that you wanted to be a writer?
When penned my first manuscript in 2009, although I didn’t publish it, I was amazed at how many people thought it was good.

"I would just sit down and start writing what I mentally saw."

Tell us about your writing process. Do you have a writing routine?
Truthfully, I didn’t even know that there was a process to writing until I wrote this book. I would just sit down and start writing what I mentally saw. I had no outline or storyboard, no sticky notes or anything else to follow. As I typed, the storyline would start to unfold. I never knew what was coming next, how the story would evolve or who the characters where until it was time for them to speak. Even when I thought, the story was heading in one direction; it turned and went another way.

"I never start at the beginning."

What do you find easiest about writing? What’s the hardest?
It’s easier for me to start my story out on paper, not typed in the computer. I know it seems redundant but I enjoy using pencil and paper. Also, allowing my story to define itself. The hardest thing about writing is where to begin. I never start at the beginning. I may write a chapter from the middle, the end, and then maybe the beginning or close to it. Somehow, it all comes together.

Valarie, please tell us a little about your debut novel 'Seeing Through the Eyes of Love'.
Seeing Through the Eyes of Love is about a woman and her harsh view and treatment of homeless people and those on public assistance. She meets a homeless man asking for food and belittles him. Afterwards, she sees him over the next few weeks and engages him in brief conversations for amusement. However, she spends one afternoon in an abandoned lot with him and others, which compels her to reevaluate her values, actions and beliefs. She’s forced to see how cruel and hurtful she has been to so many people adding to their pain.

Seeing Through the Eyes of Love (Valarie Lovelight)

Click to Read an Excerpt

What inspired you to write the book?
The subject matter came from my actual interactions with people during street ministry; and my working in the past with people who were on public assistance. I thought about what people living on the streets were going through and people in general. I realized everyone has a story and struggling to survive even with jobs. So, people and life in general are the biggest inspiration for my writing.

Who do you see as your target audience and where can we buy the book?
This book is PG/PG13 because some of the content should be explained to a younger audience. I have had men, women, and a few teens read my book and enjoyed it. My book is available on Amazon in paperback, Kindle and Nook and coming soon to Smashwords.

How would you describe the success of your book so far?
I had no expectation being new to publishing how many books sold meant success. If I had to look at Amazon, I would be disappointed hoping to have sold more. However, marketing is a critical piece in selling your books and another side of self-publishing I’m learning. Still, I consider my sales good. Word of mouth is the best form of advertising I’ve tapped into. I’ve had my first book signing which was a success and getting ready to do another one with radio advertising. I’ve received an Indie Book of the Day award in September and the reviews have been great even the couple that were a matter of taste. I have received many reviews via Facebook and email from people who don’t have Amazon or Barnes & Noble account, so I’m happy.

How long did it take it to write the book?
This book took about 2 weeks to write a completed first draft.

Please, tell us where you self-published the book.
Createspace

"The [self-publishing] process for me wasn’t smooth at all."

How smooth went the self-publishing process? Any issues? What are things to look for when self-publishing a book?
The process for me wasn’t smooth at all. This was all new and I was unfamiliar with terminologies like trim size, uploading my cover within a certain file size, bleed lines, CMYK etc. I had several issues from selecting who to use and learning how to format, especially page numbering. I would say if you choose to self-publish, make sure you have the time, monies and resources to do so.

Did you hire an editor and/or Cover Designer for your book?
Absolutely, I would have been lost without my copyeditor who is also an established author. She walked me through the process as much as possible. No matter what my questions were, she took the time to answer them. I went through a couple of Cover designers and changed my cover twice. The second designer helped me to conceptualize my cover and helped me with uploading and resizing online.

"...hire someone who knows what you don’t."

Can you give some tips for other Indie Authors regarding the writing and self-publishing process?
It’s best to do your research or hire someone who knows what you don’t. Copyeditors cover designers and proofreaders cost but they are all necessary. Exercise patience when starting out and don’t short cut to cut cost or save time. Don’t rush the process! Take the time to make sure your book is ready before you make it available for others to read. More importantly, if you find it still has errors, don’t be afraid to pull it back and make the corrections. If you want people to buy your book, make it worth buying.

Are you working on another book project? Can you tell us a little about it?
I’m in the process of deciding whether to self-publish or shop for an agent for my non-fiction book called ‘The Importance of Love’. This book deals with how love directly affects our Salvation. Why loving your neighbor is important and understanding who your neighbor is. It’s a religious read and will be listed under Valarie Richardson to separate fiction from non-fiction. I also have a poetry book that I’ve finished as well. Also, I’ve begun to pen the sequel to ‘Seeing Through the Eyes of Love’. So I have my work cut out.

Are you planning to move forward as an Indie author or are you looking forward to have one of your next books to be traditionally published?
I’m not sure, although the sequel will be self-published because the first one was. I have no problem with self-publishing. It was a learning experience that I’m glad I had and this time I’m more wiser.

Where do you see the book market in 5 or 10 years? Will there be only eBooks and will book stores disappear like record stores disappeared?
I think bookstores have and will continue to change and evolve as eBooks continue to embed themselves in the industry. There are still enough people to keep a few bookstores in business. Also, record stores, although few, still exists in brick and online.

"Someone has to pay the copyeditor..."

Do you write full-time or do you have a day job?
I work full-time and write a quarter of the time. Someone has to pay the copyeditor and publishing cost.

How can readers connect with you?
Facebook, Twitter, My Blog.
[See Links below].

Thank you very much for the Interview, Valarie.

About the Book Seeing Through the Eyes of Love

Click to Read an Excerpt

Ramona Carson is a Christian who is extremely opinionated, even judgmental, especially toward homeless people and those on public assistance. She sees nothing wrong with how she treats people or her attitude. While enjoying lunch in the park with her coworker Liz, a homeless man interrupts, asking for food. So much for loving thy neighbor and walking in love–she begins to belittle and insult him.

However, things are about to become interesting. Seeing him over the next few weeks, Ramona engages him in brief conversations, and learns his name is Gary Dividson. From their very first encounter, she has no idea just how much he would affect her world and shatter her preconceived notions. She begins to question her heart and walk with God, facing her hurts and disappointments.

They say pride comes before a fall... so, watch out! One afternoon spent in an abandoned lot with a reverend and homeless people compel her to reevaluate the Christian values she previously prided herself on having. Now she’s forced to see how cruel and hurtful she has been to so many people and ask for forgiveness while finding love for herself. Maybe...

- "This is a book for all people. It will teach all of more about how we should treat others and live our lives. [...] A must read for everyone!!! "

Click here to Read an Excerpt of Seeing Through the Eyes of Love