Written by Stacey Rourke
Hey Bookworms! I’m coming at you with another great author interview! It has been so fun for me to introduce you all to some of the hottest names in the literary world, and today will be an extra special treat! Not only is today’s feature author making quite the name for herself in the urban fantasy genre, she also happens to be one of my best friends on the entire planet. Without further ado, let’s crack open the cover with Becca Vincenza.
I’m putting you on the spot, Vincenza! It’s Twitter challenge time! Describe your book, Art of Death, in 280 characters or less.
(talking unnecessarily fast considering there is no time limit) Art of Death is an Urban Fantasy that starts a series following a pair of necromancer twins as they both try to find a way to escape the fate has been set for them by their parents when they were babies.
Well done. I know one of the twin’s is male. What’s the most difficult thing about writing the opposite sex?
Everything. I second guess my choices on words, actions everything. But I had an amazing editor who once told me when reading one of my books in the male POV (and the editor was male), who said remember guys don’t overthink so much. Which is something I love to do. So I try to write more streamline and instinctual with my males.
You? Overthink? Gasp! Tell me, what does literary success look like to you?
Literary success to me is to be able to support myself on my writing alone with that as my sole career. And being able to know I have dedicated readers out there who are excited about any next new release.
And dedicated readers you do have! So, let’s say you’re starting a new book. What kind of research do you do beforehand?
Right…research. I do next to none before beginning a book. More times than not I find the greatest joy in writing UF/PNR is because I don’t have to research. With Art of Death I did end up doing a bit to look up different plants or crystals that can be used with the magic my necromancer heroine/hero use.
That is one of the best things about writing fantasy; the limits of reality can be bent and molded. Shifting gears a bit, let’s talk book boyfriends. Have you ever fallen for one of your own characters? Who and why?
I think it’s impossible not to fall for your own characters. After all, more times than not I know that I write a character I want to love. If I don’t believe it, why would my readers? But most recently, it has been Abel, who is one of my twins from Art of Death. He is the twin I always saw as myself, and on a very personal level I can relate to that. (Not that I am saying my twin is anything like Rowan!)
You are incredibly modest and humble about your literary accomplishments. Do you think having a big ego can help or hurt authors?
I think a healthy ego is a benefit. Too big and authors won’t take criticism or grow in their craft which we should all strive to do. If that’s not your goal, you’ll be stuck in the same place for years. Too little of an ego, any sort of criticism or dip in sales will cut an author to the core and leave them waiting to quit more than they want to strive ahead.
A healthy balance is key. Well said. Let’s get back to your books. What is the hardest scene you ever had to write?
There were a couple parts in Art of Death that were difficult because I hate hurting my characters. Yet, I have to put them in tough situations for their growth as a character, and for the sake of the story.
So true. It was Stephen King that said, “Kill your darlings, even when it breaks your egocentric little scribbler’s heart.” Sometimes, the story demands that the characters suffer. What about hiding secrets in your books? Do you leave little Easter eggs for readers to find?
I have, on occasion, slipped a mention to a friend’s book, or a book I love vaguely into my novels. Most recently again was with in the Curse Breakers Series, in book 3 which is due to release in September. I collaborated with a fellow necromancer author for a funny mini scene with her character in a passing part.
(clutching imaginary pearls) Does this fellow necromancer have an undead pig?
Perhaps.
I have an idea of who it is, and readers NEED to find that fun little cross-over! Now, taking things a bit deeper, what early experiences taught you that language holds power?
Probably my entire childhood. Dyslexic along with speech classes, I had been way behind in my grade reading as a kid. For younger me reading wasn’t pleasurable but a difficult and often disheartening task. But it was also something I desperately wanted to do. I wanted to be able to enjoy books like my friends. And my imagination was way too wild, so I wrote (badly) my own stories. It was my way of “reading” before I could really enjoy the experience… as I thankfully do now.
That is such a huge accomplishment, to not only overcome, but excel at something you once struggled at. Good for you! For readers that are eagerly awaiting your next release, tell us what projects you’re working on that they can look forward to?
I have book 3 in the Curse Breakers Series, titled Dance with Death, coming back from edits that is due to release in September . Writing wise, my current WIP is Drowned, book 4 in my Rebirth Series. After that, I’ll be tackling a fae book, which has no release date quite yet. Lots to be excited about!
Yes! I love her books!