Today we’d like to introduce you to Violet Howe.
Hi Violet, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
As a lifelong creative spirit and storyteller, I had always wanted to be a writer, even as far back as elementary school. As I pursued various career interests, including wedding planning and teaching middle school, I kept writing whenever possible, promising myself that “one day” I’d dedicate myself to writing full-time. As the years kept creeping by, it seemed as though I might never realize that dream. But then my husband approached me in 2012 and encouraged me to let go of the side of the pool and jump in the deep end–quit my full-time job and fully pursue may dream. For the first couple of years, I was so frightened of not having a steady income that I took various freelance writing jobs to piece together a paycheck. But when those gigs began to constitute full-time hours, my husband reminded me that I hadn’t given up health benefits, retirement benefits, and a set salary to write part-time for other people. So I quit all my freelance clients and dove completely into writing my first novel. Diary of a Single Wedding Planner was published in June 2015, and since its release, I have published three additional volumes in that series, as well as three other series of my own and two installments in a multi-author series. have thirteen titles in my library at present, with more releases planned this year. I credit my husband’s courage and support for allowing me to finally achieve my dreams, and I’m so happy that I never gave up on my creative potential.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I definitely wouldn’t say it’s been smooth. The publishing industry has undergone many significant changes in the last few years, and it is an ever-shifting, continually-adjusting hill to climb. Being an author today requires wearing many hats. Writing the book is a small portion of what is required to be successful in publishing. Much of the work happens after the book is written, when decisions must be made regarding editing, proofing, cover design, marketing, etc. While connecting with readers is easier than ever before thanks to social media, the internet, and the plethora of in-person book conventions, maintaining those platforms and schedules take more time away from writing. What works in advertising is in a state of constant flux, often dependent more on computer algorithms and the changing procedures of behemoths like Facebook and Amazon as much as choosing the right copy text and branding. A clever story with engaging characters and a strong plot won’t sell if you can’t get the book in the right hands to read it! Reader interests and book trends also change frequently, so a writer must sometimes choose between writing the story of their heart or the story that might be easier to market. And then if all the writing, editing, marketing, and branding align and the book sells, there is still the reality that no matter how much some readers love the book, other readers might hate it. Writing requires taking a story from your soul and laying it bare for the world to see, and nasty reviews can be downright painful, even though they happen to everyone.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I write romantic paranormal mystery, romantic suspense, and romantic women’s fiction. My heroines are often older than the established norm, with ages ranging up to early fifties. These women are always at a crossroads in their life, facing some obstacle that they must draw from within to overcome. All of my stories feature romance and happily-ever-after ending, mainly because I believe that love makes the world go round, and I think fiction should provide an escape that makes us feel good about what we’ve read. In addition to the romantic relationships, I also enjoy exploring my characters’ relationships with family and friends. After all, romantic love is not the only love we need in our lives! Even though I write fiction, sometimes with paranormal elements, plausibility is important to me, and I strive to write stories that people could imagine themselves in. Readers often tell me they feel like they know my characters, like they become friends as they read along with them, and that they relate so well with how my characters act, react, and cope with what life throws at them. With my writing, I seek to give my readers something to think about and plenty to laugh about, and to allow them to have all the feels as they read my novels. Based on the feedback I receive in messages and reviews, I think I’ve done pretty well at achieving those goals so far.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
I’ve always been a creative spirit–drawn to writing, dancing, acting, drawing, and any other activity that allows me to express myself and connect with others. I am an extroverted extrovert, and I have always drawn energy from being in social situations. We moved frequently when I was younger, and I attended sixteen schools in twelve years. While those transitions and goodbyes were not always easy, I feel those experiences have given me the ability to talk to strangers without qualms, a deepened sense of empathy for others, and an awareness of people and situations that helped me blend in then, but help me create worlds and stories that others can relate to now.
Pricing:
- My books range in price from $3.99 to $5.99
Contact Info:
- Email: violet@violethowe.com
- Website: www.violethowe.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/violethowe
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VioletHoweAuthor
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/Violet_Howe
- Other: http://subscribe.violethowe.com/newsletter1
Image Credits
Robin K. Johnson
Elizabeth Mackey
