Victoria's back, and this time with an encouraging and insightful interview! (If you didn't catch my review of her latest release, Once I Knew, this morning, you can read it here!)
Now, let's not waste time in introducing the lovely Miss Victoria Lynn - an inspiring and ambitious Christian author, editor, entrepreneur, marketer, author coach, and the list goes on!
What first inspired you to write and what has continued to motivate you?
I started writing simply because I didn't have enough stories that I wanted to read that I liked, so I ended up writing them simply for myself. It wasn't until about 7-8 years later that I realized others may like to read them and I have been motivated by the fact that stories are important and they have power to encourage and change peoples lives! Can you name any authors who have inspired your voice in different ways? How can you see their influence in your writing?
L.M. Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott have both massively inspired me. Their style definitely has seeped into my writing as I purposefully have an old fashioned form of prose that reminds me of them. Lord of the Rings definitely inspires me as well, though I didn't get into that till later in life. Looking back, what has changed for you as a writer—be it how you write or what you write about—over the last few years?
I think what God is talking to me about in any given moment definitely influences my writing. God has a way of having me do things I never thought I would do and taking me out of my element to try new things and step out of the box. That's something He tells me often, that I wasn't meant to be inside of a box and do what everyone else seems to think is the right thing. He has called me to do what He has called me to do, even if that is against the norm. What's the story behind Once I Knew? What has inspired you to persevere through your work on this novel?
I started writing it for a writing prompt on my blog. It was going to be super short and that was going to be the end of it. BUT... the Lord had other plans. I wrote another chapter, then another and then I had the idea for the entire story and I couldn't not write more. I started writing it as a novel but then God asked me to take a break. Life got really intense and there was a lot going on, so I did. It was super hard to stop, but I knew it was important to be obedient to what He was asking. He opened the door in 2021 and asked me to finish writing it. It was like an instant faucet had been turned on, and inspiration came back. I also felt it important to get the story into the world so I was determined to finish it! What do you want, most of all, for readers to take away from Once I Knew?
I hope they are filled with hope and reminded that God has a plan for their lives. I pray that they are inspired to pursue what God has called them to and embrace their destiny and legacy. What has being a writer taught you?
Not to give up and that God cares about our stories as much as we do! What led you to choose self-publishing? Will you continue to self-publish, or do you have plans to traditionally publish one day?
I'm open to whatever door the Lord opens for me! I feel led to continue self-publishing for as long as I can, but I would love to be a hybrid author someday!
What are your thoughts for other aspiring writers on writing and publishing?
Find your people! Pray and ask God for them! He cares about your stories as much as you do and He has a purpose for your stories and for your books!
about the author
Victoria Lynn has an insatiable desire for truth, light and beauty.
Traveling to destinations of beauty created by our Heavenly Father, reveling in creative pursuits that fill her with joy, or pouring her heart into words of life are some of her favorite things to do.
She seeks to bring the life giving words of the Savior to a dark and broken world that desperately needs to know of His sacrifice.
A writing and publishing coach, author, journalist, seamstress and creator, she loves spending time with any of her 8 siblings, exploring her native state of Michigan, and sewing gowns fit for a princess.
You can connect with Victoria on her website and through her newsletter, or follow her on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, Goodreads, and Amazon!
the tour
June 22:
Kaitlyn Jones // IG Post
Drew Taylor // IG Post
Adriana // Story Only
Faith Mathewson // IG POST
Morgan Smith // IG POST
Naomi Sowell // IG REVIEW & INTERVIEW
Robin Degan // IG and BLOG REVIEW
Gabrielle Childers // IG Review and Reel
Katie Marie // IG REVIEW
Virginia Burford // IG Spotlight
Sarah Young // IG Review, Blog Review, Author Interview
Natalie Claire // IG spotlight, Blog Spotlight
Brynn // IG Review/Spotlight
Alexandria Grace // Story Interview
Lily // Blog Review and Spotlight
Samantha Beiser // IG Spotlight
Eva-Joy// BLOG REVIEW
Ella // IG spotlight, IG reel
Joy C. Woodbury // IG spotlight, Blog Spotlight
June 23:
C. K. Heartwing // Author Interview
Victoria Marentette // Author Interview
June 24:
Maryam Obeid // IG REVIEW
Kate // IG spotlight, Author Interview
June 25:
Kristina Hall // IG Review, Blog Review
June 27:
Crystal Grant // interview
Marissa // IG Review, IG Reel
June 28:
Claire Tucker // IG Review, IG Interview, Author Interview
Abigail Hayven // IG Review, IG Interview, IG Reel
June 29:
Kristianne // IG Reel, Blog Review
Samantha Beiser // IG REEL
June 30:
Emily Hebert // IG Interview, IG spotlight, Author Interview
Holly // IG Review, Blog Review
July 1:
Kylie Hunt // IG spotlight, IG Reel
July 5:
Eliza Noel // IG Review
Anna Augustine // Author Interview
July 6:
Kellyn Roth // IG spotlight, Author Interview
Samantha Beiser // IG REVIEW
July 7:
Jordan // IG Spotlight
July 8:
Rachel T Taylor // IG Review, IG spotlight, IG Reel
Faith Blum // IG spotlight, IG Reel
July 11:
Ryana Lynn // IG spotlight
July 12:
Stacey Ulferts // IG Review
Hosanna Emily // IG spotlight
Mariposa Aristeo // IG Review, IG spotlight
July: 13
Morgan Giesbrecht // IG Review
July 14:
Sofia V.D. // IG Review, IG Reel
July 15:
Jana T. // IG spotlight, IG Reel, Blog Review, Blog Spotlight
July 18:
Laurel Jean // IG spotlight, Blog Review, Blog Spotlight, Author Interview
July 19:
PJ // IG Review, IG spotlight
July 20:
Ysa // IG Review
July 22:
Grace A. Johnson // IG Review, Blog Review, Author Interview
Katja L. // Blog Review
I hope y'all enjoyed our interview as much as I did! Victoria has even more encouragement and advice to share on her Instagram (not to mention absolutely gorgeous photos), so be sure to check her out on social media AND read over the rest of the posts in the tour! *winks*
I loved reading the questions and answers, guys! Fantastic job!
Ahhhhh this was so cool to read!!!!! Wow, that's amazing that Once I Knew began from a writing prompt, then grew into the book it is now. (And L.M. Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott have definitely influenced my writing too!!! I love their books!)
Thank you for sharing this, Grace!! :D
Such a good interview!!