“…and I love it when a book makes me feel as though I’ve taken part in the adventure too. I want my readers to feel that; like they were part of the journey, like they belong to the story as much as the characters.”

We are delighted to continue our author interview series with V.K. Dixon, the talented author of two incredible fantasy series. We’ve asked her all the questions about her writing process, her experience with indie publishing, and all things books! Keep reading for insights into her streamlined writing process, her secrets to productivity, and a behind-the-scenes peek into her fantasy series.

If you have any questions for V.K. Dixon, please leave them in a comment below or connect with her on Instagram or her website:

Find her on Instagram HERE!
Find her FREE Romantic Fantasy Series HERE!

First Things First, Though!

Before we continue on to our interview, we want to tell you about V.K. Dixon’s debut novel, Lake of Glass, which released on October 18, 2022. Lake of Glass is an atmospheric supernatural fantasy novel that follows brothers, Peter and Spencer Collins, as they claim an unexpected inheritance in the tiny and secluded mountain town of DeVerre, Washington. They quickly realize that the town is not what it seems as secrets and deception bring the monsters of their mystery writing into the flesh, threatening their future and their lives.

You can read a full review of Lake of Glass HERE and find it on Goodreads HERE. Be sure to get caught up before the second book in the series, Vault of Stone, releases later this year!

We’ll be chatting with V.K. about her romantic fantasy series, Warriors & Mages, so keep reading!

Now, Onto Our Featured Interview!

Pro Book Edits: Thank you so much for the opportunity to interview you today! Fire & Night from Warriors & Mages is such a beautiful, captivating, atmospheric introduction to your romantic fantasy series! We loved the romance you created between Evylin and Deckard! Pure swooniness! What inspired you to write this story?

V.K.: My original idea for Fire & Night came with the concept of Mulan but set in the U.K. and instead of “hidden identity” make it “marriage of convenience.” From there a bunch of things changed and it morphed into a totally different story, but that was my original inspiration.

Pro Book Edits: Not only is the concept of Fire & Night unique and intriguing, but the setting is also uniquely atmospheric with delightful echoes of a Jane Austen novel. If you had to pitch your book to a stranger in an elevator, what would you say?

V.K.: Fire & Night is an epic fantasy romance about heroism, idealism, and discovering what it is that you really want.

Pro Book Edits: What a perfect way to describe a novel that definitely has all of these qualities! Did you have a specific strategy for developing the main characters in Fire & Night?

V.K.: I go through the same process with all my characters. First and foremost, I search Pinterest and select the appropriate actor/actress to use as a template for the character. Sort of like casting the role. I find it extremely helpful to have an image/personality to shape the character from, even if it’s not the actor’s true personality. It is far easier to develop a character while looking at a face/persona granted through a picture than to do it all in your brain. Once I have them selected, I go through an “interview” template that I’ve developed over the past fifteen years. Primarily I’m looking to discover their internal conflict as well as their overall personality so that I can give them a strong voice.

Pro Book Edits: Your character design strategy is a really effective one because your characters have distinctly unique personalities and vibes. Was your book inspired by a vision for the storyline or by a specific character?

V.K.: You know, I think it was a little of both. For me, stories almost always start with characters, but they generally come with a storyline. Particularly, a romantic storyline.

Pro Book Edits: Romance is front and center in Fire & Night, for sure. How would you describe this particular book’s aesthetic or mood?

V.K.: If Jane Austen wrote a romantasy.

Pro Book Edits: If our audience takes a peek at your social media, they will notice your organized approach to story development. As you approach a story idea, what is your basic plot development process?

V.K.: It’s changed a lot over the years. Presently, I tend to take a ton of notes as I’m coming up with the overall story idea, capturing those thoughts before I even begin to plot. Then I’ll gather all those ideas and cobble together a rough timeline. After that, I sit down and work through a blend of the 3 Act Story Structure and the Save the Cat method, honing in on my characters’ motivations and how that can drive the story forward. I keep my outlines pretty loose because I know they will inevitably shift.

Pro Book Edits: Your plot creation method is clearly working well! If you had to just pick a single point, what is the one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book?

V.K.: A sense of belonging. It may sound strange, but I know for myself, my greatest desire is to feel like I belong, and I love it when a book makes me feel as though I’ve taken part in the adventure too. I want my readers to feel that; like they were part of the journey, like they belong to the story as much as the characters.

Pro Book Edits: Absolutely love this! A book that pulls you in and gives you that sense of home and belonging is so memorable. Let’s talk about books that make you feel like you belong–if you had to pick only three, could you share with us your top three favorite books?

V.K.: Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen, Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling (Prisoner of Azkaban if we’re getting specific), and Pawn of Prophecy by David Eddings.

Pro Book Edits: All three of these books definitely deserve to be favorites! Are there any authors who inspire you? Has their work influenced your approach to writing in any way?

V.K.: I was talking to my friend the other day and I think the authors who have most inspired my own “author voice” are David Eddings, Rick Riordan, and J.K. Rowling. If you read any of their books, I think you’ll find bits and pieces of me hiding in there.

Pro Book Edits: It’s so true that bits and pieces of our favorite authors find their way into the spirit of our books! Let’s go back to your book for a moment, do you have a favorite line from Fire & Night?

V.K.: “I shouldn’t think there’s anything more romantic than marrying a woman you’ve just met for mutual promotion, only to discover that you never could have loved another.” — Chapter Twenty-Five of Fire & Night

Pro Book Edits: That quote! It’s absolutely swoony! Great choices! If you’re ready to share, what project are you working on next?

V.K.: I’m currently working on the next book in my series Archives of the Warden. It’s a contemporary fantasy with mystery, paranormal suspense, and slow-burn romance. My debut novel, Lake of Glass, is from that series.

Pro Book Edits: We encourage all of our readers to run out and get caught up with both of your series! Whether you love adventure or romance, you’ll find new characters to fall in love with! Since our services and blog are mostly geared toward indie authors, let chat about that for a moment. Why did you choose to independently publish your book?

V.K.: There are several reasons, but I’ll stick with the one I felt the most strongly about: I wanted to write what I wanted to write. As a Christian author, there are a lot of agendas being pushed within the traditional publishing space that I’m not comfortable with. And I knew I wouldn’t be willing to alter my stories to satisfy their demands. However, I also knew that even if I went into the “Christian” space of traditional publication, I’d have to make concessions to what I believe strengthens my stories. (e.g. I allow my characters to swear if it is an accurate representation of how they would talk.) I didn’t want to weaken the integrity of my storytelling to fit “the market” on either side. And while it might be harder for me to find my ideal readers because of it, I am much happier knowing that I am 100% satisfied with how my stories turned out.

Pro Book Edits: Indie publishing has given authors such autonomy over our work and the ability to really hone our ideal reader. So, what advice would you give to new indie authors?

V.K.: Take your time. There is no rush and you will be happier if you go slow. Take as long as you need to write your book—or even your whole series. Don’t rush through edits or publishing decisions. Build your community and write at your own speed.

Pro Book Edits: It can be so hard to slow down and not feel the pressure to rush to publish, so that is really great advice!

Now, for the Rapid-Fire Round!

The book or the movie? The book, always.
Favorite drink while writing? Honestly, just water.
Music while writing or silence? Music. I have to have something going in the background to stay focused.
Favorite part of the book writing/publishing process? Drafting—particularly the moments during drafting where you’re finally getting to write the scene that’s been in your head for days/weeks/months/years.
Favorite genre? Fantasy
Plotter or pantser? Planster; because I plot, and then everything inevitably changes once I start drafting.
Morning writer or evening writer? Evening, for sure.
Instagram or TikTok? Instagram

Pro Book Edits: Thank you so much, V.K., for joining us today and giving us such a fun, behind-the-scenes peek into your books and your process as an author! We can’t wait to read the next book you publish!

Readers, thank you for joining us today! Please connect with V.K. Dixon on her Social Media and Substack to read Fire & Night, her epic fantasy romance serial novel. And be sure to purchase Lake of Glass and add her books on Goodreads because you don’t want to miss a new release!

Have an idea for which author we should interview next? Send us an email or leave us a comment below!

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Photo Credits: V.K. Dixon, used with permission.