My most frequently asked questions from Children and Young Adults:
- How long have you been writing?
- Where do you get your ideas for your stories?
- What do you like to write about?
- Who is your favorite Author?
- Is it possible to write more than one story at a time?
- What is your goal as an Author?
I grew up in a modest home where I was taught to be respectful, with good manners, and good morals. We did not always have the best of everything, but where we lacked material items, my parents substituted their time, energy, and devotion providing my older sister, Jennifer, and me, with the best childhood possible.
My Father, John A. Bills, taught me the value of patience, to take one day at a time, cherishing everything that this one-day can bring, including bad situations and events, as well as good. Because of my Father, I learned to be patient in every aspect of my life.
My Mother, Sylvia A. Bills, taught me how to have an imagination. Her endless energy was always available any time I desired, for playing, guiding, and teaching. She told countless stories, which eventually developed the vivid imagination I have today.
My Sister, Jennifer A. Nickschinski (Bills), taught me the value of time. I tagged along as much as I possibly could, watching her life change and wanting mine to change also. However, being the younger one with a five (5) year difference, I had to learn to wait. Because of my Sister, I have learned not to rush time.
My family had a great influence on my writing. I have been told, I started writing as soon as I could hold a pencil, gradually becoming more creative as I grew older, by adding construction paper, which was used for illustrations and book covers. Today, these home made books are used as visual aids at my school presentations and author visits. I feel that most children and young adults relate to these books easily, since they are starting out on the same level -simple- paper, pencil or pen, crayons, markers, colored pencils, construction paper, etc. I express often, at my presentations and school visits, that an expensive computer is not needed for writing a great story.
The library also became a big influence on me and I visited it often, borrowing as many books as my arms could carry. Today, there are books that still have as great of an impact on me as they did when I was a child. For instance, The Giving Tree, Charlotte's Web, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe. As a teenager I enjoyed, The Talisman, The Pet Semetary, and The Tommyknockers.
In High School, I continued to perfect my craft of writing, taking many writing and college writing courses, although at that time, my ambition was not to follow the path of a writer. I had decided that I wanted to be my own boss and did so by starting my own business three (3) years after I graduated. In that time, I also met a wonderful man, Vincent P. Selvaggio, whom I married. It was five (5) years into our marriage when our first son, Anthony, was born. Then, four (4) years later we had another son, Dominic. I have to say my marriage, children, and business kept me very busy and I had little time for reading and writing. My writing was more a hobby to me and as my Mother had done with me, I opened my children's imaginations up with my make believe stories that I shared with them from day to day.
It was not until my first son, Anthony, was about the age of eight (8) years old, that I realized my writing all these years was about to have a purpose. My son was experiencing some "growing up issues" so I decided to make him a special book. This special book, Because I'm Afraid, published in 2005 was the start of my writing career, and the positive change in my son's life. The Hope Chest published in 2006, is much different to my first story but remains very special since my children, Anthony and Dominic, are the main characters in the story. The Hope Chest is also the first book of a three (3) book series. I am in the process of writing the second book in the series titled The Hope Chest and the Fight to Save the Tree.
My writing style is versatile, although I love and prefer to write fiction, especially fantasy. I have great respect for my favorite author Stephen King. I feel that I respond to his unique way of writing and enjoy his stories. In addition, I have written poetry and music lyrics. I also enjoy writing motivational stories similar to Because I'm Afraid, especially if based on a true event.
I write when I am inspired. My ideas originate from happy or sad events in my life. My children, sometimes, will make a funny comment or do an extraordinary action that will stay in my mind - something that a character in one of my stories would say or do. I write about my dreams, my nightmares, my hopes, and my fears. I have found that sometimes writing about the sad events that we face in life allows the freedom from it. For instance, the little white dog Bianco, in The Hope Chest, was my dog in real life. He lived sixteen (16) years. He was a big part of our family and when he died, a part of our family did too! I chose to remember him by putting him in my book. Now, my family and I can remember him forever! In fact, I feel that there is a part of me in all my stories or a character that has a similar characteristic to one of my many family members. I love having a huge Italian family.
I am working on many projects and find that I can easily work on different stories at the same time. I do this simply by keeping the story line and characters separate in my head. Additionally, I have listed below my current project titles:
The Hope Chest and the Fight to save the Tree
My Shadow
The Book of Kismet
What does "Uno" mean?
The Oak Tree and Mrs. Robin
In all of my stories, I include a message to the reader. I often ask
the children who have read my books, if they were able to decipher what
I, the Author, was trying to say. What was my message in the story? And
that, is what my goal is as an Author - to reach as many children,
young adults, and adults with my stories and messages. I want to
inspire and motivate young minds on the path of reading and writing. I
want to encourage the idea of being patient with yourself and allowing
time and your own imagination for succeeding in all goals, dreams, and
ambitions in your life. My Shadow
The Book of Kismet
What does "Uno" mean?
The Oak Tree and Mrs. Robin
We are all blessed with many great talents. What we choose to do with those talents is up to us. Just think, maybe someday your hobby will change the life of someone you love. Just think, maybe someday your hobby could change many lives.
2007 Victoria A. Selvaggio