Vanessa Wester was born and raised in Gibraltar, has spent time living in Rotterdam and now residing in the UK. Vanessa is fluent in both Spanish and English, she also speaks some Dutch. To date, Vanessa has written the Evolution Trilogy (Hybrid, Complications and Return, including a prequel, Emily) and First Date, a story based on her experiences. Vanessa has also been included in six anthologies for charity.
"I write to escape, I escape to live, I live to create, I create and learn..." - Vanessa Wester (Via Facebook)
BOLLYDOPHIE: Hi Vanessa, first of all, thank you for agreeing to be my very first interviewee.
VANESSA: It's my pleasure... Hope you enjoy it!
BOLLYDOPHIE: I am sure I will. When did you start writing?
VANESSA: I started writing for fun in 2010, a year after my third child was born. I was tired of being "Mum" and needed a way to escape the daily routine!
BOLLYDOPHIE: I understand the need to 'escape' sometimes. Do you have a particular place where you go to write?
VANESSA: Now I tend to write at the computer. This has slowed everything down a lot. Before, I would write any place I could. Notebooks worked a treat! I should really do this again...
BOLLYDOPHIE: When is your favourite time of day to write?
VANESSA: I prefer writing at night, but since I tutor in the evenings and my kids go to bed later now this has become harder to do. So, I usually write during the day. I volunteer two mornings a week at school and Foodbank, and work lunchtimes, so I grab a few hours where I can.
BOLLYDOPHIE: Wow, you really are busy. How do you keep track of all of your ideas?
VANESSA: I write them down in notebooks or straight into the computer. I have started over ten stories that I have never finished! Sometimes I just need to write what I'm thinking even if it goes nowhere.
BOLLYDOPHIE: That's a good idea, you never know when you might go back to one of those ideas. Do you listen to any music when you write?
VANESSA: Yes. Anything for editing, etc. But, classical when I need to concentrate. I love Cinemix on iTunes - soundtracks can be very inspiring!
BOLLYDOPHIE: I've spoken to you a lot on facebook since meeting you in the UK Kindle group and I know you were anxiously waiting for everyone to start reading Hybrid.
How does that make you feel? Knowing that someone is about to read one of your books for the first time.
VANESSA: Nervous, worried... Seriously, I want it read.
I have had a lot of knock backs since I started, but I hate thinking I did not try my best. I can't complain if no one knows it exists! The problem with self-publishing is that you have to learn everything yourself. It's also a massive perk. Part of my enjoyment is figuring it all out. I am a problem-solver (maths teacher after all - ha ha).
BOLLYDOPHIE: Knock backs can be hard, but I always believe it's better to get up and carry on. I've finished reading Hybrid over the weekend, and must admit, it is one of the best paranormal romances I have read.
VANESSA: OMG... I have had these questions for a few days and had not read this! I am thrilled you thought this. (doing a happy dance)
BOLLYDOPHIE: I love a good paranormal story, romance is usually not for me, but combining the two works brilliantly. What was your inspiration behind the book?
VANESSA: I watched a a documentary about an unknown civilisation in the Amazon jungle that has had minimal interaction with modern man. The helicopter was not allowed to get too close as they filmed. It made me wonder about other people out there. I also love SciFi TV series like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and loved the Twilight book series. My love of vampires stems back to good old Scooby Doo though...
BOLLYDOPHIE: I love all things vampire. My favourite character was Steven, right from the start, and I despised Adam. Are there any of the characters in the book that you would change?
VANESSA: Adam represents all the "men" I came across that I despised. I have to admit that I would not change any... Maybe get rid of a few at the start. They seemed important then, but later I did not use them much. A minor one like John for example.
BOLLYDOPHIE: I'm looking forward to reading the next in the trilogy. Are you pleased with the way the story moves forward?
VANESSA: Yes, it works for me. It does twist and I have to admit that the story took on a mind of its own. I planned to have a lot more adventure in it, but battle scenes just aren't my thing! Family relationships and torn loyalties interest me much more. (Yes, I also watched Dallas when I was young!)
BOLLYDOPHIE: Coming from Lancashire myself, I am extremely interested in the book about your grandparents. How are you doing on the progress for that book?
VANESSA: I am halfway... Over 50,000 words in! I need to focus on it properly. My family, the trilogy, and life gets in the way. My research has been fascinating though. Never knew what my family had been through until I read an article my dad wrote. (I might need you as an initial reader, if you're interested!)
BOLLYDOPHIE: I know, from your website, this book is definitely where your passion is, in historical fiction. What made you choose to base it on your grandparents?
VANESSA: The story came about because of them. I was in tears when I realised what had happened. No spoilers, but let's say it'll be a tearjerker!
BOLLYDOPHIE: It sounds really interesting. Do you have a finish date in mind, if not already for this book? Will you let me know when it's out so I can read it?
VANESSA: Of course. I am always looking for readers who will give me honest feedback.
I have to be honest. I have no idea when it will be ready at the moment. I wrote 3 books in two years, and have NO idea how that happened. After I had laser eye surgery last year, I had to slow down and the pace has yet to pick up.
I have just revamped all my covers and hope to move on from the trilogy to focus on other projects. In fairness, I have another novel written - but it's needs a lot of work.
I am also toying with the idea of an epilogue type book for the trilogy...
Ultimately, I have time on my side. My youngest is now 6 and I am still under 40 (that's young in my books) so I'm sure I can get my act together to write more!
Without the support and encouragement of readers I probably would have given up on publishing. So, thank you for taking your time to get to know me. I really enjoy the Facebook club. I started as a reader and it will always be what I'm about. I love books!
BOLLYDOPHIE: An epilogue for The Evolution Trilogy would be brilliant. I'm guessing, but I think I'm going to love the rest of the trilogy. Thank you for your time.
VANESSA: (By the way, you have a great name! My middle name is Joanne and this is the name I gave my youngest daughter! HA!)
BOLLYDOPHIE: Thanks Vanessa, I have become rather attached to it.
VANESSA: It's my pleasure... Hope you enjoy it!
BOLLYDOPHIE: I am sure I will. When did you start writing?
VANESSA: I started writing for fun in 2010, a year after my third child was born. I was tired of being "Mum" and needed a way to escape the daily routine!
BOLLYDOPHIE: I understand the need to 'escape' sometimes. Do you have a particular place where you go to write?
VANESSA: Now I tend to write at the computer. This has slowed everything down a lot. Before, I would write any place I could. Notebooks worked a treat! I should really do this again...
BOLLYDOPHIE: When is your favourite time of day to write?
VANESSA: I prefer writing at night, but since I tutor in the evenings and my kids go to bed later now this has become harder to do. So, I usually write during the day. I volunteer two mornings a week at school and Foodbank, and work lunchtimes, so I grab a few hours where I can.
BOLLYDOPHIE: Wow, you really are busy. How do you keep track of all of your ideas?
VANESSA: I write them down in notebooks or straight into the computer. I have started over ten stories that I have never finished! Sometimes I just need to write what I'm thinking even if it goes nowhere.
BOLLYDOPHIE: That's a good idea, you never know when you might go back to one of those ideas. Do you listen to any music when you write?
VANESSA: Yes. Anything for editing, etc. But, classical when I need to concentrate. I love Cinemix on iTunes - soundtracks can be very inspiring!
BOLLYDOPHIE: I've spoken to you a lot on facebook since meeting you in the UK Kindle group and I know you were anxiously waiting for everyone to start reading Hybrid.
How does that make you feel? Knowing that someone is about to read one of your books for the first time.
VANESSA: Nervous, worried... Seriously, I want it read.
I have had a lot of knock backs since I started, but I hate thinking I did not try my best. I can't complain if no one knows it exists! The problem with self-publishing is that you have to learn everything yourself. It's also a massive perk. Part of my enjoyment is figuring it all out. I am a problem-solver (maths teacher after all - ha ha).
BOLLYDOPHIE: Knock backs can be hard, but I always believe it's better to get up and carry on. I've finished reading Hybrid over the weekend, and must admit, it is one of the best paranormal romances I have read.
VANESSA: OMG... I have had these questions for a few days and had not read this! I am thrilled you thought this. (doing a happy dance)
BOLLYDOPHIE: I love a good paranormal story, romance is usually not for me, but combining the two works brilliantly. What was your inspiration behind the book?
VANESSA: I watched a a documentary about an unknown civilisation in the Amazon jungle that has had minimal interaction with modern man. The helicopter was not allowed to get too close as they filmed. It made me wonder about other people out there. I also love SciFi TV series like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and loved the Twilight book series. My love of vampires stems back to good old Scooby Doo though...
BOLLYDOPHIE: I love all things vampire. My favourite character was Steven, right from the start, and I despised Adam. Are there any of the characters in the book that you would change?
VANESSA: Adam represents all the "men" I came across that I despised. I have to admit that I would not change any... Maybe get rid of a few at the start. They seemed important then, but later I did not use them much. A minor one like John for example.
BOLLYDOPHIE: I'm looking forward to reading the next in the trilogy. Are you pleased with the way the story moves forward?
VANESSA: Yes, it works for me. It does twist and I have to admit that the story took on a mind of its own. I planned to have a lot more adventure in it, but battle scenes just aren't my thing! Family relationships and torn loyalties interest me much more. (Yes, I also watched Dallas when I was young!)
BOLLYDOPHIE: Coming from Lancashire myself, I am extremely interested in the book about your grandparents. How are you doing on the progress for that book?
VANESSA: I am halfway... Over 50,000 words in! I need to focus on it properly. My family, the trilogy, and life gets in the way. My research has been fascinating though. Never knew what my family had been through until I read an article my dad wrote. (I might need you as an initial reader, if you're interested!)
BOLLYDOPHIE: I know, from your website, this book is definitely where your passion is, in historical fiction. What made you choose to base it on your grandparents?
VANESSA: The story came about because of them. I was in tears when I realised what had happened. No spoilers, but let's say it'll be a tearjerker!
BOLLYDOPHIE: It sounds really interesting. Do you have a finish date in mind, if not already for this book? Will you let me know when it's out so I can read it?
VANESSA: Of course. I am always looking for readers who will give me honest feedback.
I have to be honest. I have no idea when it will be ready at the moment. I wrote 3 books in two years, and have NO idea how that happened. After I had laser eye surgery last year, I had to slow down and the pace has yet to pick up.
I have just revamped all my covers and hope to move on from the trilogy to focus on other projects. In fairness, I have another novel written - but it's needs a lot of work.
I am also toying with the idea of an epilogue type book for the trilogy...
Ultimately, I have time on my side. My youngest is now 6 and I am still under 40 (that's young in my books) so I'm sure I can get my act together to write more!
Without the support and encouragement of readers I probably would have given up on publishing. So, thank you for taking your time to get to know me. I really enjoy the Facebook club. I started as a reader and it will always be what I'm about. I love books!
BOLLYDOPHIE: An epilogue for The Evolution Trilogy would be brilliant. I'm guessing, but I think I'm going to love the rest of the trilogy. Thank you for your time.
VANESSA: (By the way, you have a great name! My middle name is Joanne and this is the name I gave my youngest daughter! HA!)
BOLLYDOPHIE: Thanks Vanessa, I have become rather attached to it.
To download any of Vanessa Wester's books, please use the button below (Amazon UK). Currently there are three available for free.
Hybrid , Emily and First Date