Meet V.M. Pire

Author of Wings of Destiny

Lucy: Hi V.M.! Thanks so much for joining us at Introverted Indies. I’m looking forward to getting to know you and your writing. So, to get things started, can you tell us a bit about yourself?

V.M.:  Hi, I’m V. M. Pire. I came up with my pen name as a little inside joke with myself (I have an OBSESSION with Twilight) and played around with a few different ideas and this one made me giggle maniacally, so here we are.

I have a horribly cheesy sense of humor that ranges anywhere from the driest dad jokes to the darkest corners of the realm of humor (I do have limits, I promise). My writing style is very laid back and follows the way I typically speak when I'm comfortable around someone. With the exception of a certain character.

I'm very socially awkward and very uncomfortable in social situations and get very anxious and will either talk way too much or hardly at all (RBF is definitely on point). There is NO in between, and that goes for texting/DMing conversations as well (I’m sorry in advance). I promise it’s not on purpose, I just overthink every little thing.  

Favorite Books: The Embraced Series, ACOMAF, ACOFAS, Wicked in the Pines, Etched in Frost, Bonded by Thorns, Bound in Crimson, Twilight (Specifically New Moon and Eclipse), As The Fallen Rise, Beautiful Creatures, Wild Ones (Manga), The Never King, The Ever King

Some more personal info; I'm a mom, a wife, have a bunch of animals, an ever growing TBR, have rewatched How I Met Your Mother and The Big Bang Theory an absurd amount of times and make as many references as possible (same goes for Disney, Twilight, Inuyasha and so many others). Also LOVE the gym and weightlifting. 

L: For what it’s worth, I think the pen name is amazing!! Haha. And you have no need to apologise for lots of talking—we’re here to learn about you, after all. :) 

You’re obviously a busy person with lots going on outside your writing! I’d love to know when and why you started on your writing journey. Can you tell me more about that? 

V: Thank you <3 

Yes! So my writing journey actually started a year ago. I had finished reading a few different books (I’m a read 3 to 4 at a time type of reader) and an idea popped in my head. A very heart wrenching “what if”. And so I said fuck it, why not. And ran with it. Prior to that I’ve always loved reading and would dabble in writing little stories or poems ever since I was a kid. 

L: Haha I read 3/4 books at a time too! How else would we get through our massive TBR piles???

A very heart wrenching “what if”—that’s intriguing. How did that lead on to you writing Wings of Destiny? Did you plan it out or dive straight in? 

V: Right!?  

I dove right in. No plan whatsoever beyond that. Wings of Destiny has definitely been character lead. That being said the original ending for book one…has been moved to book two. But book one will definitely have readers on the edge of their seats! (Hopefully). There are definitely quite a few Easter eggs throughout Wings of Destiny whether it’s references or hints for what’s to come further in the series. 

L: You know what, I write in the same way so I totally get it. I don’t know about you though—I found that writing a series meant that later books did require a level of planning to ensure all the threads from book one/two are tied together. It sounds as though you are thinking ahead as you write Wings of Destiny. So, what can you tell us about the story? 

V: So Wings of Destiny follows our FMC Erin Snow through quite a journey. Within the first book she has her world turned entirely upside down. Not just once but on several occasions. She discovers not only is the world around her not what it seems to be… but neither is she. Readers also experience the story from other characters perspectives to gain additional insight… and potentially drop some of those Easter Eggs I mentioned. 

We’ll see Erin and how she processes what’s happening throughout the book whether it’s through her thoughts, her need to save everyone and preferring to sacrifice herself before risking the ones she’s grown to care for. For the most part. 

L:  That does sound like quite the journey, like you said!! But of course we writers must put our characters through many trials and tribulations.  So Erin Snow is the main character—how did you come up with her? Were there any inspirations for you in creating the character? 

V: Well. I came up with her last name because of my oldest cat (her name is Snowbell).

Inspiration wise, not entirely. 

Libby, however, 100% inspired by a few people: A certain energetic female vampire character from the sparkly vampire universe, someone I knew years ago and my best friend. The last two light up the room the instant the walk in and just bring so much positivity and just a bubbly aura.

L: Haha hey, no judgement here--a number of my characters are named after family dogs/pets! It sounds as though you had a clear idea of who Libby was from the 

people who inspired her. How did you flesh out Erin as the main character? Did she grow as you told the story, or did you think about who she was before you delved into writing it?  

V: With Erin I thought about the basics of who she was when the initial idea popped in my head and ran with it. For book one we have a small peek at her growth but it’ll continue more so over the entire series. She struggles with quite a bit of self doubt but often says “screw it” anyway. Within book one, we see her struggle with PTSD and anxiety. Which will continue as there are things coming that will further contribute (sorry in advance). 

I hope that answers it okay I’m trying to not give too much away.

L: That does answer it! I know it’s hard to find the balance of giving responses without spoiling the story, don’t worry.

I think the exploration of mental health issues can really be important in stories and can help readers process and understand their own experiences better, so it’s fantastic you’ve included those in your series. It’s quite disheartening sometimes when you see characters go through huge amounts of difficult scenarios with barely a sentence or two devoted to the impact it has on them afterwards. You’ve mentioned that Erin struggles with PTSD and anxiety. How did you find writing those parts of her? (My experience has been—it can be challenging but also cathartic). 

V: How Erin copes and experiences them I based off of my own experiences and described them in that way. There are definitely points where she may shut down, gaslight herself (things I’ve done in my own traumatic experiences) and there are other moments where her thoughts are spiraling. We get a glimpse of this in book one and will continue more so in the series. There were definitely points where I had to take a step back when writing her reactions and certain situations because they hit a bit too close to home or triggered something within me as well. The whole process so far with getting that out with her story has been tough but therapeutic. And I’m hoping that with her story, readers who resonate with her… that they feel seen and know they aren’t alone.

L: It sounds as though writing Erin was a really powerful, at times very difficult, experience for you. I've no doubt that'll come across for readers and they will take value from that because of how much you have put into her as a character.

So what is the plan for publication for Wings of Destiny? When can we expect to see it out in the world? :) 

V: So book one is officially out! It launched October 1st! Book two is TBD as far as the exact date but definitely expect to see part two of the Erin Snow Series in 2025.

L: That's amazing! Congratulations on the release of book one! How did you find the experience of putting your debut out into the world?

V: It’s definitely been a learning experience for sure. 

There have been some extremely stressful moments where I’ve been on the phone sobbing with my husband or best friend. And then there’s been other moments where it’s just been surreal. Lots of ups and downs but it’s been worth it and an amazing experience. 

I’ve had the opportunity to meet some truly amazing people, especially with building my street team. I absolutely adore them and am so extremely grateful for each and everyone of them. I’ve also had the opportunity to be a part of some really cool things so far and I can’t wait to see what else is on the horizon.  

L: Oh it really is a learning experience, isn't it? A very steep one, is what I found! It's great that you've built up a community of supportive people (authors and non-authors) around you. What would you say was the main thing you've learnt from publishing your first book--something that you'll take on when publishing your future stories? 

V: The main thing I would say is to go at my own pace.

L: Good advice! Writing, after all, isn't a race. Our stories will get out into the world when we're ready.

Well, it's been lovely chatting with you. Please could you let us know where the best places are for readers to keep updated on your current and future releases? 

Thanks so much for joining us at Introverted Indies! 

V: Yes of course, thank you so much for the opportunity! It’s been lovely chatting with you as well!  

The best place for readers to keep up would be my instagram @author.v.m.pire.

L: Thanks, V.M.!