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Sophie S.'s avatar

Loved this, love V.E. Schwab ❤️ I have questions about how she manages to read 120 books a year though 😳😅

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Evelyn Skye's avatar

yeah she is a beast when it comes to reading!

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Evelyn Camu's avatar

Yes! I did quick math..that’s about 2 1/2 books a week. Wow!

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Sophie S.'s avatar

wow that’s a lot!

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Petra Hernandez's avatar

Another great interview, Evelyn! 😀 Thanks to you and Victoria for being so honest about the writing process. I love hearing you both talk about your experiences. And I'm the same way, I start to get irritable/anxious if I haven't been writing for too long. Then I'll wonder why, then I'll sit down and write, and after a session I'm so much better and I remember 'oh yeah, I needed to write'. 😂 I also found it interesting to think about a first draft as being furthest away from the original idea. I haven't thought about it like that before, so I'm going to see how that weaves into my writing ethos.

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Evelyn Skye's avatar

💛💛💛

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Evelyn Camu's avatar

This interview was amazing. Thank you so much for asking my question. I love her honesty and openness about her struggles and her writing.…my favorite was her comments about turning perfectionism into purpose. I love how many books she reads a year! Wow! I just found out she was in Manhattan at a bookstore earlier this month. I’m doing an internal “aaahhhhh!” because I missed her talk about the book. I’m currently reading it now (about 100 pages in) and it’s good. This is an interview that I’m going to save so I can rewatch when I’m experiencing my own struggles as a Writer. Thank you very much!

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Evelyn Skye's avatar

Oh gosh, saving to re-listen is such a huge compliment!

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Diana M. Wilson's avatar

THIS WAS THE BEST. (Although I say that every time.) But it really, really was so great. It honestly felt like a hybrid interview and writers' therapy session. (In a very good way.) So many things--the perfectionism angle, the chasing trends. (Sidebar: In the footwear biz, we used to say this year's trend is next year's closeout. Translation: Stay true to your brand ethos and you won't go wrong.)

I also appreciated the "classification" dialog. My story takes place in Nazi-occupied France--but in my mind, it is NOT historical fiction, nor is it a book about WWII--it's a story that explores what it means to fall in love with the wrong person. Now, clearly, I know this is not an argument I will win--if I'm lucky enough to get a publishing deal. But at least I have the freedom to classify it the way I want to--if only in my own heart and mind. (This interview gave me that permission.)

Thanks to you both!!!!

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Evelyn Skye's avatar

Thank you, Diana! It makes my heart swell that every episode finds its way into YOUR heart!

I truly had such a great time during this interview, too. Victoria has been in this business for so long that her insights provide such a calm and wise perspective.

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Kerry Sutherland's avatar

Loved this conversation - I met Victoria at the Southern Kentucky Book Festival in 2014 and have always been impressed/grateful for everything she shares about writing/process/the good and the bad of creative life.

HUGE Archived fan - Mac means so much to me.

I also hate first drafts. I want to rewrite every single word, but as you say, you have to make something before you can make it better. Hard to remember when it all looks wrong.

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Evelyn Skye's avatar

I’m so glad you were able to meet Victoria in the past. Her openness is a gift to other creatives.

Thank you so much for listening to this one, Kerry!

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Elaine R. Frieman's avatar

Great interview. 🫶🏻

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Evelyn Skye's avatar

Thank you, Elaine!! 🥰

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Steph Rae Moran's avatar

Great interview! I hadn't realized that V.E. Schwab came to novel writing through poetry. I can't wait to read Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil! :)

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Evelyn Skye's avatar

glad you enjoyed it, Steph!

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Evelyn Camu's avatar

I love this too. Her words due have a poetic quality. I love it!

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Tiffany Chu's avatar

"The mortality rate in publishing is so wild..."

I love that you both acknowledged this! I'm still a newbie in the publishing world, but the main thing I'm learning is that it is a LONG GAME.

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Evelyn Skye's avatar

yes, THIS! It's all about the long game, not the short term ups and downs.

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