Below is my interview with YA fantasy author Victoria Liiv. This artist turned author has self-published her novel, Through Hell and Highwater. Learn more about her book, her writing process, and her enthusiastic view of the world she has created for herself, both real and imagined.
About Victoria Liiv
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
Author links (links will open in a new tab)
Through Hell & Highwater book summary
In university Volo Noscere, located in Rome, where a new academic year brings forth a lot of new challenges and questions. When the world becomes increasingly unpredictable, are the humans reason for it all, or is there more to it?
Evyline and Lisanna believe there must be magic behind the changes. Tylon doesn’t care about what doesn’t affect him and RocTar just wants to make it through the year without failing class.
Like it or not, they get pulled into discovering what the world has in store for them.
Book excerpt
Evyline looked at her friend. He looked winded. He must have run all the way up to the 4th floor. His little too long hair was messy and his eyes looked wild.
“I have not seen the news, Alfie. What forest was burning?” Evyline asked calmly, although her own heart started beating faster by the news.
“Bialowieza Forest,” Alfie said in a rush. “Wildfire, everything burning. Can’t reach anyone-”
“Have you tried the grapevines?” Evyline said, her own worry growing. The elven village her parents lived in was not too far away from the Polish border either.
“The grapevines? Evy! There is nothing left of the grapevines,” Alfie moaned desperately.
“Oh right, the fire must have burnt them all.” Evyline looked at her companion. Alfie was standing in the middle of the empty training space looking helpless. His eyes were pleading. Evyline wasn’t sure she knew how to help. She couldn’t even punch a dummy. “What about the water bowl?”
“The water bowl. Yes, the water bowl…” Alfie turned around and ran out of the room. Evyline looked at the lifeless dummy that she was left with, shook her head and then ran out right after the guy.
Alfie was so occupied in getting to the Green Tower that he only noticed Evyline next to him after he closed the dormitory door right behind her.
“I mean, it is a one way connection, but at least we would see they are alright,” the elf continued like they hadn’t even left the castle. Alfie on the other hand was wheezing and trying to catch his breath.
Talking Shop
What famous books can you compare to your own?
It is not my idea to compare my book to Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, but first when I started telling people about it, they kept on bringing up those two titles. Magical school. Yes, right, Harry Potter had that too. Oh, you’ve got orcs and elves. Lord of the Rings had them, too. Those two are so big and famous that I in all my humble existence would never dare to compare Through Hell & Highwater with them myself.
How long did it take to write your book from the day you got the idea to write it to the day you published it?
From plotting to publishing it took me a whole year, during which I had long writing spurts, recovering and gathering inspiration periods, endless editing and worst of all waiting for publishers to answer my submissions. In the end, I decided to self-publish.
How long have you considered yourself a writer? Did you have any formal training, or is it something you learned as you went?
I have called myself a writer (in my head) since high school. I didn’t dare to say it out loud for the longest of times. I had little to show for it. Some short stories that were left unfinished, a few poems, a few tries at starting a book that ended after inspiration ran out the door and were forgotten soon after.
Even now, after having published my first book, I still sometimes feel like I’m trying to deceive people by saying I’m a writer. I suppose I hold that title in high regards.
I have had no formal training in writing. When choosing my path, I did briefly consider studying literature and writing but decided against it.
If you don’t make a living exclusively writing, what is your day job? How, in any way, does it relate to your life as a writer?
I studied architecture in university, which has little to nothing to do with writing. I am currently working as a 3D and technical drawer for a big stand-building company. My drafts become spaces for people to show and sell their art in. Connection to art is the closest my current occupation comes to writing. Stories, after all, are an art form.
What were your expectations for writing and publishing your first book? Have they changed since then?
There are a lot of people who consider publishing a book hard. Yes, finding a traditional publisher willing to invest in you is definitely no piece of cake. It is time consuming and most reply back with “not interested.” Self-publishing, however, has completely changed the game. I never expected it to be that easy!
“What If” Scenarios
If you could have one person that you admire, living or dead, read your book, who would it be?
I am both terrified and excited for anyone I admire to read my book, but if I had to pick one person I would say S.M. Boyce.
If you could be in a writer’s group with up to four famous writers, who would they be?
George R.R. Martin, J. R. Ward, S. M. Boyce and Patricia Briggs. I have no clue what that group would talk about together, but I would certainly have a blast.
You’re offered a contract to rewrite your book in another genre. Which genre do you choose and why?
It would be interesting to rewrite it as a romance. There are a few places in the story where things can get heated up. But I think the real challenge would be to write it as a sci-fi novel and the process would create something incredible. Magic replaced with science. Elves, Orcs, Fae, Nymphs, Vampires and Werewolves replaced with space aliens. The idea does excite me!
Would you rather own your own bookstore or your own publishing house, and what would you sell or publish?
The idea of owning a cozy bookstore of my own is very inviting. A place with a fireplace at the corner, endless hot chocolate and tea and rows full of books of all kinds. It is a place of dreams. I imagine there’d be a section devoted to rare and old books that need to be cherished. I love fantasy and romance. Therefore, those two genres would probably overflow the store and leave little room for anything else.
You have the means to hire a full time assistant to help you with your writing. What tasks do you give them to do?
I would assign them to a research duty, let them try to figure out the words that are playing hide-and-seek in my head, while I am doing my best to explain what kind of word I am really looking for, editing out my grammar mistakes (which certainly want to stick around even when I tell them to shoo off the pages!).
Just for Fun
One year of your life you’d like to relive or do over.
I’m never the one to look back and try to change how things have played out. In fantasy it is possible, but I have learned to accept that real life cannot be compared to fiction. Although, if I could choose to go back I wouldn’t try to fix anything (all of it made me into who I am today). One of the best years of my life was when I met my boyfriend. I would probably relive that year and indulge in the undeniable spark our relationship started with three years ago.
One bucket list item you’ve completed and one that’s still on your list.
I was never one to create a bucket list, but writing a book would have definitely been on it. Obviously, I did succeed in that! Other things that I really wish to do would include swimming with dolphins and seeing the Grand Canyon I’ve yet to do
Favorite time of/part of your day.
The moment I come home from work and step through the door, my boyfriend calling out “Hey moppie!” and me calling back “I’m home!”
Food you’d like to win a lifetime supply of.
CHINESE!!! Where can I apply for a chance to win? This stuff is from heaven.
A talent you have and a talent you wish you had.
I have a talent for drawing and painting, and it is nice and all, but I really wish I could sing!
When time travel is achieved, do you go forward or backward?
Do I only get one choice? I would want to go everywhere! I figure if I go to the future first, they have the same technology and I could always travel back.
Buy it!
Buy a copy of Through Hell & Highwater here, and help support local bookstores! This is an affiliate link, and I will earn a commission on any sales.
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Great interview! This sounds like such a great read!