Victoria Hamel

“Welcome, Victoria! I’m so glad to have you here today. Let’s kick things off with a fun one. If No Gouda Without You became a movie, who would play your main characters?”

Dakota Johnson as Nicole and Miles Teller as Sean.

“That would be such a great pairing. Do you remember the first story you ever wrote? And do you still have it?”

I don’t remember, and I don’t have it.

“A mystery lost to time, I guess. Do you believe in writer rituals or routines?”

I believe in them for other people.

“Fair enough! Do you have any of your own?”

No.

“Honest answer. Where do you usually write? And what’s your ideal writing environment?”

I write in my bedroom or on my couch or at my kitchen table. I don’t have an ideal writing environment. I think writing is hard wherever I do it.

“That’s so relatable. Do you snack while writing?”

I don’t. I usually drink seltzer water.

“Simple and refreshing. So what’s next for you? Any upcoming projects or goals?”

I am starting a new Sapphic, bi, nonbinary small-town romance series.

“That sounds like something we need more of. Do you prefer writing series or standalone books?”

I like writing romance that is a series, but each book has its own couple and HEA. I enjoy that because it’s so fun to watch the town grow and become a character.

“That’s such a great way to build a world. Have you ever collaborated with another writer?”

Not yet!

“There’s still time. Do you believe in luck or destiny?”

No.

“Straight to the point. How about Australian slang? Know any?”

I know slang that overlaps with British slang. I know “rock up.”

“Nice. If you could instantly learn one skill, what would it be?”

I’d like to wake up and know sign language.

“That would be incredibly useful and meaningful. Do you read your reviews?”

Not anymore. They just stress me out.

“Totally understandable. What’s your go-to comfort food?”

All forms of fried potatoes.

“The best answer. Do you talk to your pets like they understand you?”

Yeppers!

“Same here. What role does research play in your writing?”

Most of what I write is based tangentially on my life experiences or stuff I have some knowledge of. Or if something sounds interesting, then I’ll research it.

“That’s a great balance. What’s your guilty pleasure movie?”

Grease 2.

“Iconic. When did you first realize writing was your passion?”

When I was four.

“Starting young. Do you outline your stories or just dive in?”

I need an outline to start.

“What’s your favorite useless fact?”

This fact is not really useless. But it is a favorite of mine. All you need to make sourdough is flour and water. Once you mix the flour and water, the starter will get yeast from the air. Your sourdough will be different from a sourdough from somewhere else in the world because the wild yeast by you is different from the wild yeast somewhere else. Pretty cool.

“That is very cool. It's something I'd like to make, How do you balance creativity with the business side of publishing?”

Poorly? It’s a definite work in progress.

“I think that’s true for many of us. Do you plot your stories in advance or see where they go?”

I like an outline, but it’s not destiny.

“How would you describe your voice or style as an author?”

I hope readers feel like my characters talk like actual people and that they enjoy the humor I try to have in my books.

“That’s something readers definitely connect with. Have you ever had to cut a character or scene you loved?”

No.

“Lucky you. What’s one trope you secretly love?”

Cheating. This is very scandalous, I know.

“That is a bold pick! For me it's the getting caught part and the psychological fallout that follows. Do you have a bucket list? And what’s at the top?”

I don’t have a bucket list. I think it’s too jinxy. I don’t want to tempt fate.

“I get that. Is there a book you wish you had written?”

There aren’t any existing books that I wish I had written. I want to write a cozy mystery series. I have a good method of murder, I just need everything else to start the first book.

“Now I’m very curious about that method. Are your characters inspired by real people or purely imagined?”

Yes. 🤣

“Perfect answer. What’s one app you can’t live without?”

Kindle. I read a ton on my phone.

“Same here. Last question. What’s the most spontaneous thing you’ve ever done?”

Applying to become a special education paraprofessional, a teacher’s aide.

“That’s such a meaningful kind of spontaneity. Victoria, this has been so much fun. Thanks for hanging out and sharing all this with us.”

Thanks for having me, Ajay. This was so fun!

“To the readers:

Be sure to follow Victoria on social media, links are down below. Show your support by grabbing a copy of their books, diving into those fantasy worlds, and most importantly, leave a review. We live for that feedback, and it helps more than you know.

Until next time!”