Book Talk with Victoria Gilbert

How long have you been writing?

I’ve only been writing professionally for around ten years. In that time, I’ve written 17 books – 2 of which are shelved, one published but now out-of-print, two indie published, and 11 trad. published, with 1 more that’s completed and coming out later this year.

Do you have any advice to offer for new authors?

One thing I always tell new authors is that you shouldn’t be afraid to experiment. Try out new genres, age categories, writing styles, or POVs. Don’t lock yourself into one thing, especially if you aren’t having the success you desire. Sometimes, unless we try a few different things, we don’t know where our talents truly lie.

I started out writing YA fantasy and science fiction, and while I still love working in those genres, I’ve discovered that my strengths as a writer lie more in the mystery genre. If I hadn’t tried something new when I experienced some difficulties in my earlier writing years, I wouldn’t have the career I have today.

What is your writing process? For instance, do you do an outline first? Do you do the chapters first?

I always create a synopsis, then develop that into a chapter-by-chapter outline. With mysteries, I think it really helps to know the entire arc of the plot before you begin. However, I’m not rigid about sticking exactly to my original plans. When the book is coming to life, new and better ideas for scenes, character arcs, and so on often occur to me. I definitely allow those ideas to change the original outline.

What are common traps for aspiring writers?

Focusing on one book too much is one thing I see a lot. Of course, we all love our books, especially our first one, but sometimes you need to put that book aside and write something else, especially if the market isn’t receptive to your particular genre, story, or tone. That doesn’t mean I think writers should toss anything – just set it aside and come back to it when the market changes (as it always does). But beating one’s head against the wall for years and years trying to get one book published when you could spend the time writing several other options that could jumpstart your career is, in my opinion, not the best way to achieve success.

Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?

I honestly think it is difficult to discern what readers want. Perhaps they don’t even know themselves until they pick up a book and it speaks to them. So I guess I try to be original – or perhaps authentic is a better word – while staying within the general expectations of my genre, of course. But I don’t chase trends, because that doesn’t interest me.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?

Don’t wait until you’re in your fifties to complete a novel! I think I had too much fear of failure when I was younger, so I always hesitated to dive into writing. But if I could have convinced my younger self to just take the chance, I would’ve had time to write many more books.

How long on average does it take you to write a book?

I have six months between deadlines at this point. It generally takes me around three months to actually draft a book of 75,000 to 80,0000 words, but I need more time for brainstorming, outlining research, and revision. Unless there is some major disruption in my life, I find six months works for me.

About Victoria Gilbert

Raised in a historic small town at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Victoria Gilbert turned her early obsession with books into a dual career as an author and librarian. Now retired, she’s worked as a reference librarian, research librarian, and university library director.

Victoria writes the Blue Ridge Library Mystery series, the Booklover’s B&B Mystery series, and the Hunter and Clewe traditional mystery series for Crooked Lane Books. When not writing or reading, she likes to spend her time watching TV and films, gardening, or traveling. A member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers, Victoria lives in North Carolina with her husband, son, and two very spoiled cats.

About the Book

A Cryptic Clue A Hunter & Clewe Mystery Book 1 by Victoria Gilbert

Genre: Mystery

A retired librarian gets back to the books—and into a devilish murder case—in acclaimed author Victoria Gilbert’s new series, the perfect literary adventure for fans of Kate Carlisle and Jenn McKinlay.

Sixty-year-old Jane Hunter, forced into early retirement from her job as a university librarian, is seeking a new challenge to keep her spirits up and supplement her meager pension. But as she’s about to discover, a retiree’s life can bring new thrills—and new dangers.

Cameron “Cam” Clewe, an eccentric 33-year-old collector, is also seeking something—an archivist to inventory his ever-expanding compendium of rare books and artifacts. Jane’s thrilled to be hired on by Cam and to uncover the secrets of his latest acquisition, a trove of items related to the classic mystery and detective authors. But Jane’s delight is upended when a body is discovered in Cam’s library. The victim, heir to a pharmaceutical fortune, was the last in line of Cam’s failed romances—and now he’s suspect number one.

Cam vows to use his intelligence and deductive skills to clear his name—but with a slight case of agoraphobia, rampant anxiety, and limited social skills, he’ll need some help. It comes down to Jane to exonerate her new boss—but is he truly innocent?