Very pleased to welcome Vikki Patis who is here to tell us about her writing life.
What genre would you say your
novels fall into, or do they defy classification?
Psychological thrillers
Psychological thrillers
What made you choose that genre?
I actually didn’t intend to write psychological thrillers! I wrote what would probably be classed as women’s fiction, but my publisher helped me turn it into more of a psychological thriller.
I actually didn’t intend to write psychological thrillers! I wrote what would probably be classed as women’s fiction, but my publisher helped me turn it into more of a psychological thriller.
How long does it take you to
write a book?
I wrote the first draft of my first book during NaNoWriMo, then spent some time editing, so maybe two months in all. Though it went through several editing phases with my publisher! Usually I can get a decent first draft done within six months.
I wrote the first draft of my first book during NaNoWriMo, then spent some time editing, so maybe two months in all. Though it went through several editing phases with my publisher! Usually I can get a decent first draft done within six months.
What is your work schedule like
when you're writing?
I work full-time as well as writing, so I mostly snatch an hour here and there to get some words down! I have started taking a day off my day job every couple of weeks in order to dedicate some time to writing, and I treat it as a normal workday – up early, sit down with a cup of tea, and write.
I work full-time as well as writing, so I mostly snatch an hour here and there to get some words down! I have started taking a day off my day job every couple of weeks in order to dedicate some time to writing, and I treat it as a normal workday – up early, sit down with a cup of tea, and write.
Tell me something about yourself
your readers might not know.My books are always quite personal to me. I know a lot of authors would say the same, but writing about real events or themes in my life is a form of therapy for me. The traumatic event that Lauren goes through on Bonfire Night in The Diary happened to me when I was her age, and the relationship between Isla and Jake in The Girl Across the Street is loosely based on the abusive relationship my parents were in when I was growing up. And The Girl Across the Street is set where I live in Hertford.
When did you write your first
book and how old were you?
For my first published novel, I was 25, and I self-published a collection of short stories when I was 23.
For my first published novel, I was 25, and I self-published a collection of short stories when I was 23.
What do you like to do when
you're not writing?
I love to walk, to read, and bake cakes! I’m also a big fan of binge-watching shows on Netflix.
I love to walk, to read, and bake cakes! I’m also a big fan of binge-watching shows on Netflix.
What was one of the most
surprising things you learned in creating your books?
For me, it was the process a book goes through from first draft to published novel. There are so many stages!
For me, it was the process a book goes through from first draft to published novel. There are so many stages!
How many books have you written?
Two books published.
Two books published.
Do you Google yourself? What did
you find that affected you most (good or bad)?I do occasionally – how vain am I! – but I’ve only found links to my books and reviews. The best thing I found was a discussion on Goodreads where people were talking about my book. It’s such a bizarre feeling!
As a child, what did you want to
do when you grew up?
Cliché, but I always wanted to be a writer. I used to pinch exercise books from school and fill them up with stories, giving them to friends to read on the school bus.
Cliché, but I always wanted to be a writer. I used to pinch exercise books from school and fill them up with stories, giving them to friends to read on the school bus.
How many unpublished and
half-finished books do you have on your computer?
A few! I recently stumbled upon an unfinished book which I believe I started when I was a teenager, which featured Greek mythology and sirens. I don’t think I’ll continue with that one!
A few! I recently stumbled upon an unfinished book which I believe I started when I was a teenager, which featured Greek mythology and sirens. I don’t think I’ll continue with that one!
Bio:
Vikki
Patis is the bestselling author of psychological thrillers The Diary and The Girl Across the Street, published by Bookouture. She is also the author of
Weltanschauung, a self-published short story collection, and her BSc
dissertation, I Ink, Therefore I Am, was published by Lambert Publishing in
2016.
When she isn’t writing or working as a Regulatory & Compliance Manager, she can usually be found drinking tea, baking cakes, or taking walks in the Hertfordshire countryside. She lives with her partner and two cats.
When she isn’t writing or working as a Regulatory & Compliance Manager, she can usually be found drinking tea, baking cakes, or taking walks in the Hertfordshire countryside. She lives with her partner and two cats.
The
Girl Across the Street: https://amzn.to/35ETkOP
The
Diary: https://amzn.to/31n04xo
Amazon
page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Vikki-Patis/e/B01MRGDDFF
Twitter:
@PatisVikki
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