IndieView with Eva Vernae, author of If Her Walls Could Talk

I am always looking for opportunities to grow and develop entertaining novels for all.

Eva Vernae – 22 June 2017

The Back Flap

Do you remember what it was like to be an innocent child, soaking up the world of information around you like a sponge? What was going through your mind? You may find you can relate fairly well to young Lailah Turner. In If Her Walls Could Talk, Lailah takes a stroll down memory lane, sharing some of her most shameful, life-shaping experiences an average adolescent could imagine. Curiosity gets the best of her as she struggles, makes mistakes and irrevocable decisions; and just when she feels she is getting her life on track, the unexpected happens. What will this rebellious-as-all-hell, promiscuous, and surprisingly sneaky teen do when she arrives at one of the biggest crossroads of her life?

About the book

What is the book about?

If Her Walls Could Talk is a fictitious biography/novel that tells a story about a young girl named Lailah Turner. She takes a stroll down memory lane, sharing some of her most shameful, life-shaping experiences an average adolescent could imagine. Curiosity gets the best of her as she struggles, makes mistakes and irrevocable decisions; and just when she feels she is getting her life on track, the unexpected happens! What will this rebellious-as-all-hell, promiscuous, and surprisingly sneaky teen do when she arrives at one of the biggest crossroads of her life?

When did you start writing the book?

I began writing in March of 2016

How long did it take you to write it?

It took eight months to write

Where did you get the idea from?

 I took some realistic events and wanted to expand those events and turned them into a story. I felt like there were opportunities to make something happen in the book whereas it didn’t happen in real life or vice versa.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

Absolutely. Being that this was my first time writing a book, I struggled with ending a chapter appropriately, ensuring that there weren’t any unanswered questions (which I couldn’t catch in its entirety), and making sure everything flowed to the best of my ability.

What came easily?

Character development

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

Combination of both

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

No, there are no particular authors that have influenced how I write.

Do you have a target reader?

Not really. I feel this book is appropriate for male or females over the age of 16.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I did not have a process per se in the beginning. Now that I finished my first book and am working on its sequel and one other novel, I have a great process in place. I developed all the characters first and included everything from how they look to their demeanor. Next, I developed the chapter names and “must-haves” for each chapter. Whenever something comes to mind, no matter what chapter it is in, I jot it down and add it accordingly as I write. As I finish each chapter I go back and read it to ensure I answered questions from a reader’s perspective and check for errors.

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

For this first novel, I did not outline.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

As I go

Did you hire a professional editor?

Yes, I hired a professional editor

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

It depends on my mood as far as listening to music while I write. When I do listen to music while writing, I tend to play Maroon 5, Jill Scott, and Bruno Mars.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

 No

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher?

The decision to go Indie was because I like to be in control of what I do. I wanted to fully invest in myself and set a high expectation for myself.

Was it a particular event or a gradual process?

Gradual process

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

Professionally done

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I am still looking at better and more ways to properly market my book. Winging it scares me a little bit.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors?

 My advice would be to take your time versus rushing things. Quality cannot be rushed. Also, be sure of who you are as a writer and let things flow accordingly. Be yourself!

About You

Where did you grow up?

Milwaukee, WI

Where do you live now?

Milwaukee, WI

What would you like readers to know about you?

I am always looking for opportunities to grow and develop entertaining novels for all. I have been writing since I was a young girl and am looking forward to pursuing writing full-time in the very near future.

What are you working on now?

I am currently working on If Her Walls Could Talk, Pt 2 as well as one other novel titled, The Counselor: Do As I Say, Not As I Do.

End of Interview

For more from Eva, visit her website or like her Facebook page.

Get your copy of If Her Walls Could Talk from Amazon US or Amazon UK.