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[May 10th, 2018] Click on the play button below to listen.
In today’s episode, we’re featuring our conversation with Victoria Aveyard from the archives! During the time of the original release back in January 2016, Victoria just celebrated her 21st week on the New York Times list for “Red Queen”, the first book in her series. Movie rights for the series were also sold to Universal Pictures with Gennifer Hutchison (from “Breaking Bad”) penning the film adaptation and Elizabeth Banks in talks to direct.
Since the time of her episode release back in 2016, Victoria has now published three #1 New York Times bestselling and USA Today bestselling books, and two New York Times bestselling novellas. The Red Queen series is currently being translated into 37 languages and counting, and the fourth and final book to conclude her beloved series, “War Storm”, is releasing next week on May 15!
In the archived episode, we discuss story ideas and character development, how Victoria got her foot in the door with her literary agency, the ups and downs throughout her writing career, the publishing community, the importance of family, and a lot more incredibly inspiring stories and advice.
I specifically pulled this conversation from the archives because a lot of our listeners have shared that they’ve been struggling with getting through their first draft and are held back by the idea of “perfection”. If you’re struggling with this too, be sure to pay special attention to Victoria’s episode.
[January 2016]
Storytellers & Friends! O-M-G we’re kicking off the return from our hiatus with the ever-so-humble, talented, funny, and inspiring Victoria Aveyard.
Victoria is the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of the RED QUEEN book series, which just celebrated its 21st week on the New York Times list! Movie rights for the series were sold to Universal Pictures with Gennifer Hutchison (Breaking Bad) penning the film adaptation and Elizabeth Banks (Pitch Perfect 2) in talks to direct. According to The Hollywood Reporter, RED QUEEN is similar to HUNGER GAMES, GAME OF THRONES, X-MEN, and CINDERELLA.
In today’s episode, we discuss story ideas and character development, how Victoria got her foot in the door with her literary agency, the ups and downs throughout her writing career, the publishing community, the importance of family, and a lot more incredibly inspiring stories and advice. You’ll learn so much from her episode and my hope is for you to feel just as refreshed, inspired, and motivated as I did after our interview!
“Finish. Finishing is the most important thing no matter what you have to do.” -Victoria Aveyard
“I must be writing; in some way, shape, or form, to be happy.” -Victoria Aveyard
What You’ll Learn From This Episode:
- Victoria’s journey of transitioning from screenwriting to crafting her first novel
- How Victoria built her RED QUEEN series off of a single image and how this technique can help you craft your next story
- How Victoria creates an outline for her novels and how her advice can help you find your perfect outline structure
- The importance of knowing where your character comes from to create their perfect personality
- How writing for the fanfiction world indirectly became a writing workshop for Victoria
- Victoria shares writing techniques and tips used to grab readers’ attention at the beginning of a novel
About “War Storm”
The #1 New York Times bestselling Red Queen series comes to a stunning conclusion in War Storm.
VICTORY COMES AT A PRICE.
Mare Barrow learned this all too well when Cal’s betrayal nearly destroyed her. Now determined to protect her heart—and secure freedom for Reds and newbloods like her—Mare resolves to overthrow the kingdom of Norta once and for all . . . starting with the crown on Maven’s head.
But no battle is won alone, and before the Reds may rise as one, Mare must side with the boy who broke her heart in order to defeat the boy who almost broke her. Cal’s powerful Silver allies, alongside Mare and the Scarlet Guard, prove a formidable force. But Maven is driven by an obsession so deep, he will stop at nothing to have Mare as his own again, even if it means demolish everything—and everyone—in his path.
War is coming, and all Mare has fought for hangs in the balance. Will victory be enough to topple the Silver kingdoms? Or will the little lightning girl be forever silenced?
In the epic conclusion to Victoria Aveyard’s stunning series, Mare must embrace her fate and summon all her power . . . for all will be tested, but not all will survive.
Learn More About Victoria Aveyard
Victoria Aveyard is an author and screenwriter, born and raised in a small town in Western Massachusetts. Both her parents are public school teachers, as well as avid film, television, and literature fans. Victoria grew up on a steady diet The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Harry Potter, and LOST. She pursued a degree in Writing for Film & Television at the University of Southern California’s School of Cinematic Arts. After graduating college in 2012, Victoria moved home from Los Angeles and began writing the manuscript that would become Red Queen.
She has since published three #1 New York Times bestselling and USA Today bestselling books, two New York Times bestselling novellas, and continues pursuing her writing career while living full-time in Los Angeles, California.
The Red Queen series is currently being translated into 37 languages and counting.
Victoria’s Recommended Books:
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien
A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin
