An Interview with Author Victoria Roder

Sylvia: Hi Victoria, it is such a pleasure to interview you.  I know how busy you are so thank you for your time.  Please give our readers a brief introduction of yourself and a little about your book.

Victoria: Sure, I am Victoria Roder and I was born and raised in Wisconsin where I still reside with my husband, Ron and a house full of pets. I love to camp, hike, snow-shoe and motorcycle ride. I am the author of action thriller, Bolt Action, Champagne Books, paranormal romance, The Dream House Visions and Nightmares, Asylett Press, and Inspirational Devotional book, It’s Not You – It’s Them: Six Steps to Healing and Thriving after abuse, Dancing With Bear Publishing.  My short stories have appeared in Chicken Soup for the Soul, A Cup of Comfort, and Latke Hound a Christmas Anthology from Dancing with Bear Publishing. I have three children’s books coming soon, and I write articles, and create puzzles for magazines and activity books.

Sylvia: Wow, you are one writing mama! Let’s talk more about Bolt Action. Give us a glimpse into it?  

Victoria: In Action Thriller, Bolt Action from Champagne Books, Detective Leslie Bolt is a smart talking, gun hording, Harley riding investigator forced to work a serial murder case with her sexy ex-lover.  After a childhood of abuse suffered at the hand of her father, Leslie sleeps with a Ruger Blackhawk .357 under her pillow, has a Browning A-Bolt Stainless Stalker rifle in her broom closet, and a Saturday night special stashed in her road-hog cookie jar. The body count mounts and Detective Bolt must conquer her own past, as she races to capture “The State Quarter Killer” before her sister is the next victim.  Secrets of the past, murder, deception, sexual tension, and “The State Quarter Killer”, Bolt Action offer it all.

Sylvia: What inspired you to write Bolt Action?  

Victoria: The idea for my second novel, Bolt Action started with my personal story of adoption being published in A Cup of Comfort for Adoptive Families, Adams Media 2009.  That publication has inspired many people to share their own stories of adoption with me. I am sorry to report I also heard a few troubled stories of adoption, and one comment remained in my thoughts and stalked me.  That sole comment became the disposition for one of the sisters in my novel, Bolt Action.  Tasha is bitter that she was given up for adoption and believes the world owes her something for her misfortune.  Her sister and the main character, Detective Leslie Bolt may deal with people through sarcasm, but she is grateful to her adoptive parents for the opportunities they have provided, and the love they have shown her. The difference between the sisters is their attitude. Remember, whether good or bad we each choose our attitude.

Detective Leslie Bolt’s sarcasm, chip on her shoulder and kick butt attitude are fashioned after one of my own sisters. I have five of them, so good luck guessing. Need a clue? Watch the video trailer. The sister I fashioned Leslie Bolt after actually resembles the woman on the motorcycle.

Sylvia: Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

Victoria: As a former victim of child abuse, in both of my novels I touch on the effects of child abuse on self-esteem and adult relationships. My latest release is an inspirational pocket book entitled, It’s Not You – It’s Them: Six Choices to Healing & Thriving After Abuse. It is a Bible study for biblical encouragement on attitude, God’s plan, worthiness, forgiveness, learning to trust, and joyful living after abuse. You can’t change your past, but you can choose your future. Learn to claim your promises from God, heal, thrive and live a joyful life. https://www.createspace.com/3655938

I also work my animals into my writing. My cat, Baby and my sister’s dog, Teddy are in Bolt Action. My cat, Zues is in The Curse of King Ramesses II, my dogs Tucker and Rocky were both featured in articles for FarmLife Magazine. Tucker is also the German shepherd service dog in The Haunting of Ingersull Penitentiary, and my dogs Molly and Rocky are in my children’s chapter book, Adventures in Dog Sled Racing.

Sylvia: Any words of advice for unpublished writers?

Victoria: Set your goals, be determined and persevere. Expect rejection, it is part of the process. The difference between quitting, or becoming a published writer is what you do about that rejection. Work hard and resubmit.

Sylvia: What is your power word?

Victoria: My power word is TRY! I may not be successful at everything I do, but if I don’t try, I’m successful at nothing. I never imagined I could write a book until a recurring nightmare from childhood became constant. I began to record that dream and my first novel a paranormal romance, The Dream House Visions and Nightmares was born. Dream sequences foretell of sins of the past and forewarn of danger in the present. Hope Graham travels to her hometown only to discover…the truth can be more frightening than a nightmare.

On a side note, I want to share with you that since I wrote The Dream House Visions and Nightmares I have not had the recurring dream. Also, due to recent health problems of the publisher, this book is only available through my website. I only have 20 copies left! www.victoriaroder.com

I also didn’t realize I could create puzzles that magazines would purchase. It is just something fun I did with my brother. Years and years before I ever submitted to a magazine, I would write to him in codes. If I didn’t try because I worried about rejection, I wouldn’t have over forty puzzles in print. Trust me; I’ve gotten forty rejections as well!

Sylvia: What are your current projects?

Victoria: I have finished a paranormal thriller entitled, The Haunting of Ingersull Penitentiary. I have three children’s books under contract and coming soon. For Christmas my husband gave me Final Draft script writer and I have begun my first mystery comedy script.

Sylvia: Victoria, I’ve enjoyed getting to know you and your work.  Would you like to share any last thoughts?

Victoria: Thank you so much for hosting me, Sylvia. As a writer, I wanted to share that everything I see, touch, taste, hear, smell or observe is potential for a story-line, character, or setting.  I don’t want the readers to be nervous, but I’m out here jotting down notes about your clothes, your attitude, work ethics, your humor, your kindness, or quirkiness.  I might mix it together with traits from my mailman, but be careful…I’m watching.

Sylvia: oh, by the way, my readers would love your contact information.

Victoria: Absolutely!  Here goes: 

Contact:
Website: www.victoriaroder.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/victoria.roder
Video Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EqcYL_G7h7s

Bolt Action is available in e-book and paperback:
http://www.amazon.com/Bolt-Action-ebook/dp/B003ZUY58U/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_t_3
http://champagnebooks.com/shop/index.php?route=product/product&path=27_49&product_id=82

Sylvia Browder

Sylvia Browder is CEO of Specialty Home Services LLC, a Home Improvement Company; a Small Business Consultant at Browder Consulting Group, a startup consultancy firm to help women with startup assistance, marketing, website and graphic design work and other support services. In addition, she has co-authored several published books; publisher of ‘Sylvia Browder’s Blog for Women Entrepreneurs’ a lifestyle blog; and publisher of ShopSpendBlack.com Business Directory & Blog platform created to help consumers find black owned businesses in a searchable format. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband of 30 years; 5 adult children and 5 grandchildren; church; friends and motorcycle riding.