Lucky 13 Interview With V.L. Valentine

1 – Can you start by telling us a little about your current book?

It is a murder mystery, medical thriller and a tribute to one of my best friends, Pia, who let me live with her in London while I was getting my master’s in the history of medicine. That year was a dream come true.

Plague Letters begins in the middle of one of the worst plague epidemics ever to hit London, in 1665. The book was also partly inspired by Samuel Pepys, who, it seems from his diary entries, ran around like a sex-obsessed maniac that summer. He was always sex-obsessed. But in plague times, when you expect people to run and hide, he kicked it up a notch. And that’s what I wanted to explore. Death falls down from the sky, what do you do?

2 – Are you a plotter or a panster?

I’m a panster. To my own detriment. I have to do a lot of drafts because of this. I am jealous of the natural plotters.

3 – Savoury or sweet?

Savoury.

4 – Three books to a desert Island. Go!

The Hobbit. I’ve listened to or read the opening chapters more than 100 times. It is so comforting.

The Woman in Black. What was it like for Alice Drablow to live in that house?

And if I have no more time to make a decision, The Man On A Donkey, because it’s a fat book and I have not yet finished it.

5 – Star Wars or Star Trek?

Old Star Wars, Picard’s Star Trek.

6 – If you could have any superpower, what would it be?

Flying. When I was four years old I used to ride my big wheel up the hill in front of my house. Thinking I could launch off the top and fly. I used to also spin around and twirl this gold metal baton in thunder storms, convinced if I kept spinning I could command the storm and fly. My parents are very practical. I don’t know how it escaped them that I was doing this really dangerous, stupid thing in the front yard.

7 – Music or Silence when writing?

Silence. But I’ve learned to write anywhere at any time, in order to fit in writing around day job and my beautiful little boy, etc. I can’t afford to be fussy, I have to just get it done. I type out some mess, cheer myself on with word count, and tell myself I’ll fix it in the editing.

8 – If you could live anywhere in the world, and take everything that you love with you, where would you choose?

An old house on a sea cliff, with lots of wind and moody skies. The house should look haunted, but not actually be haunted. Or smell haunted. #gothicforever. And there needs to be a village full of warm folk right around the bend.

9 - Your favourite karaoke song?

Prince’s When Doves Cry.

10 – One piece of advice to an aspiring writer?

Don’t stop. No matter what.

11 – You win £1 million, but you must give half to charity. Which charity do you chose, and what do you do with the rest of the money?

Unicef. International Rescue Committee. A local charity that helps mothers and children. I strongly believe that if we protect children and families, we’ll go a long way toward protecting the plant. Most of the rest I would invest.

12 – Horror films, yes or no? If so, any favourites?

Yes, yes and yes. The Exorcist. There is such a quietness to that movie – outside of the heading turning 360 degrees scene.

13 - What are you currently working on?

Begars Abbey, due out April 2022 from Viper Books. I will admit that during this past pandemic year, when I’m alone and stressed, I will have Downton Abbey on in the background. I pretend I’m Daisy or Anna, getting it done without complaint. I find it calming. Life at Begars Abbey is the opposite of life at Downton. It’s like, I love the fantasy. But here is my reality. (My reality only, I am casting no shade whatsoever on Downton.)