Interview With the Author – Vanessa Finaughty

Website – https://vanessafinaughtyfantasybooks.wordpress.com/
X – @VanessaFin

1. What’s the story behind your very first piece of writing?

I can’t actually remember the very first thing I ever wrote – as a kid, I used to lock myself in my room and write stories. My first published work was a short story called Mantis, which was published in South Africa’s Something Wicked horror magazine in 2007. I’d been told repeatedly to expect lots of rejections until someone accepted one of my stories for publication, because it’s the norm, so, when the editor approached me at a horror convention to inform me that my story had been accepted, I was convinced he had the wrong author and kept asking ‘are you sure’ – as if he wouldn’t be!

2. When did you first realize you wanted to be an author?

From the moment I could read.

3. Do you outline your stories, or do you discover them as you write?

I outline some stories (usually, the more complicated ones) and discover others as I write. The latter is 20,000 times more fun.

4. Which authors or books have had the biggest influence on your writing style?

Definitely Dean Koontz. I love his fast-paced style and the endless twists.

5. What’s your writing routine like – daily habits, rituals, or quirks?

In a normal week, I try to spend the last hour of every work day writing, at a minimum. If work allows, I might spend an extra hour or two writing on a week day, and at least a few hours on a weekend if possible. If I’m not writing, I’m making book covers, writing blurbs or marketing during those times.

6. Do you prefer writing short stories, novels, or something else entirely? Why?

I like a bit of everything, depending on my mood. Short stories are nice and quick, great for a story with a twist that isn’t too complicated. Novellas are the sweet spot for me – much faster to complete than a novel, but still something substantial to sink your teeth into.

7. What’s the hardest part of writing for you?

Deciding on the title. I Google all my title ideas before deciding which one to use – you’d be amazed how many other books or movies are out there with the same brilliant title you just thought up! I don’t like to use a title that’s already in use, because that risks disappointing readers if they clicked my link, but were looking for the other book.

8. What’s the most rewarding part of being an author?

When a reader tells me my book was enjoyable.

9. How do you handle writer’s block or creative burnout?

I have the opposite problem to writer’s block – I have too many ideas and not enough time to write them all. Creative burnout, I handle by writing a short story or something unrelated to my current WIP.

10. If you could give one piece of advice to a new writer, what would it be?

Network as much as possible with other authors, and try to publish at least one or two new books every year to keep your readers interested.

11. What themes or questions keep showing up in your work, even unintentionally?

Someone bad getting what they deserve – I hadn’t realised this until a writer friend pointed it out to me a few months ago.

12. Do you listen to music while you write? If so, what’s on your playlist?

I usually prefer silence, but, if I am in the mood for music, it’s usually instrumental – if it has lyrics, I end up singing along instead of writing!

13. What’s one book (outside your own) you think everyone should read, and why?

The Gift of Fear by Gavin de Becker. It’s a non-fiction book that teaches you how to differentiate between illogical paranoia and your intuition warning you about danger. It’s an excellent read and everyone on the planet would be a little safer after reading it.

14. What’s next for you – any upcoming projects you’re excited about?

I’ve already started writing Wizard of Ends, Book 4: Tainted Magic. Simultaneous to that, later this year or early in 2026, I’ll be putting out a call for submissions for a sci-fi fantasy short story anthology titled Space Wizards. In between all that, I’m co-authoring a crime thriller titled Dead Inside.

15. Finally, what do you hope readers feel or take away after reading your work?

I hope they were entertained and feel disappointed when the book comes to an end. I also hope they find a character or two to whom they can relate, and walk away with a sense of justice having prevailed.