Interview with Author Victoria Christopher Murray

The last day of the Sisterhood spotlight and I want to introduce you all to Victoria Christopher Murray. This woman is so very talented. But aside from that she has a generous spirit. We had been Facebook buddies for some time but never met. So when I did get a chance to meet her, it was the biggest honor. She was happy I had traveled from Alabama to Memphis to see her at the booksigning. She said she never knew I was a writer and why hadn't I ever told her. I said, "I don't know, I just don't like telling everyone because some people will automatically think you are about to pitch them a story or try and sell them something." She said, "Well, I always want to encourage you. If I can help you, you let me know. But I always want to be an encouragement. So you tell me what's going on next time." So feeling like the kid sister, all I could think to say was, "Yes, Ma'am."

Feeling the love and encouragement, here is one of the most beautiful people I've ever met, bestselling author Ms. Victoria Christopher Murray. She is the author of 14 novels. Her first novel, Temptation, was originally self published. Victoria Christopher Murrary stated,"I wanted to write a book as entertaining as any book on the market, put God in the middle, and have the book still be a page-turner. I wasn't writing to any particular genre - I didn't even know Christian fiction existed. I just wanted to write about people I knew and characters I could relate to."

In 2000, Time Warner published Temptation. Temptation made numerous best sellers list and remained on the Essence bestsellers list for nine consecutive months. In 2001, Temptation was nominated for an NAACP Image Award in Outstanding Literature.

Since Temptation, Victoria has written nine other adult novels, including: JOY, Grown Folks Business, The Ex Files, and the popular Jasmine Cox Larson Bush series.

In 2008, Victoria's first novels in her Christian fiction teen series - The Divine Divas - were published. She stated,"I was concerned with what our young ladies were reading. I decided to do something about that - give them stories full of drama, but with a message." The Divine Divas has already been optioned to become a television series.
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Her latest novel, The Deal, the Dance and the Devil, posing the question, what would you do for five million dollars? Adam and Evia Langston have lived in their own little garden of Eden since the two married at the age of seventeen. Working their way up from the humblest of beginnings, the Langstons have thrived beyond anything they could have ever imagined. Now they live in the finest home, drive the best cars, and indulge in all the trimmings that signify their massive success.

But then the recession hits and rips apart the family’s financial stability. Unable to support their three children and other relatives, Adam and Evia find themselves drowning in financial trouble and teetering on the brink of complete disaster. With nowhere to turn, the Langstons have no idea what to do. Until Evia's boss, comes to the couple with a five million-dollar deal they may find hard to refuse.

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Interview

Where did the idea for The Deal, The Dance and the Devil come from?

It came from several different places. I was watching Indecent Proposal one night and then thought, it would be a totally different story if the deal was turned around.  So, I asked a Facebook question - would you give your husband up for a weekend for five million dollars. The responses were so great; I laughed for hours.  But then, I started feeling like I was mocking God, so I put that question aside. I never thought it would be a book, but when it came time for my contract, this idea came up.  And the book was born.

In the novel, the question is posed to the main character as to whether she would let her husband spend the night with another woman for 5 million dollars? Would you?

Before I wrote the book, I would've said yes. The only thing that would have kept me from doing it would be my relationship with God.  But besides that, I would've done it in a minute. I figured five million dollars could buy a lot of therapy afterwards if I needed it. :-)

What are you currently working on?

I'm working on my 2012 book about three female evangelists who are not practicing what they're preaching. I don't have a title - the titles are the most difficult part of writing for me!

Can you explain the journey from self-publishd author to being a published author? What was that like? Was it harder being a self-published author or easier because you had more control or vice versa?

Okay, you know this is not a question, this could be a doctoral dissertation.  LOL!  There is no way to describe that journey in a few sentences.  But what I will say is that self publishing helped me to be a better mainstream author. All the things I learned, I still put to work with my novels. To become a mainstream author, I had to find an agent and then it took her two years to sell my novel to a publisher.  There are challenges with being self published and with being a mainstream publisher. And there are benefits. I found being a mainstream author much easier for me because I could focus on the writing and the marketing.  I didn't have to worry about the direct sales to stores, or collecting money or anything else.  I was willing to give up the control for that.  But it is different for every author.

What is your motivation for writing?

I have this relationship with food and shelter and so I write. No really, writing is my job. So just like anyone else who has to go to work to survive, I write. I just happen to have a job that I love.

What would you say to aspiring writers trying to get published...what 3 steps must they make?

Make sure they understand the editorial process - what editors are looking for, how to submit work. Make sure the work is edited - not copy edited...the author must work with a line editor who will help with the plot, character development, etc. And finally, the author has to be persistent and believe in their dream.

If you don't mind, I'm going to do a plug here. On the AChapterAMonth website, we have a Editor-in-Residence who is doing on-line live writing workshops and she's also going to be leading an on-line Writer's Group. These are the kinds of things that any author at any level could benefit from. Authors have to be willing to invest (time and money) into their career if they're serious.

What are your thoughts about the current ebook trends?

I like it! Our world is changing and everything else is digital.  I think we need to get with the program and find a way to work with it. I don't think books will ever go out of style, which is a good thing, but we have to embrace change.


You can read the first chapter of The Deal, the Dance and the Devil at http://www.victoriachristophermurray.com/

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Also, don't forget today is the last chance to enter to win for the Blog Hop Literary Giveaway. Over 70 blogs giving away free books, along with my blog, of which I am giving away 8 books to two winners, four books each. Plus, a free beaded book thong to the winner if they commented on any of the interviews from Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of this week.

Go to the Blog Hop Literary Giveaway for more details