I can’t tell you how excited I am to have interviewed, Victoria Christopher Murray. I discovered her with her first book, Temptation. After I read it, I reached out to her on MySpace. She was so gracious and wrote back. We have been in contact ever since. I finally had the chance meet her this summer at her book signing in New York City of Never Say Never. I have never met such a generous, giving and helpful writer/author in my entire life. I consider her my mentor. I am blessed to know her and read her amazing books.

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1.      What are some of your favorite books?

My favorite books are the books that have had the greatest impact on me; books that made me really want to pursue my dream as a writer. Native Son, by Richard Wright, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, by Maya Angelou, and Manchild in the Promised Land by Claude Brown.

2.      Which book was the hardest for you to write?

Every single book that I write is hard. Really. Getting words down on a page for me is like pulling teeth — it’s just so hard to write.  And interestingly, the longer I write, the more difficult it gets.

3.      Which book was the most fun to write?

Any book I write with ReShonda Tate Billingsley is fun. Because it’s like she’s one-half of my brain. We are so in sync, it’s scary, and we are definitely writing twins. Plus, when I write with ReShonda, I laugh. And don’t let us tour together….

4.      What is your writing process or practice in writing novels?

My writing process is quite simple. I write! I write every day and really, just about all day. I write and write and never go back to edit until I have a completed manuscript. Because if I keep stopping to edit, I’ll never finish. I’m on a constant deadline; with at least three books a year, as well as ghostwriting projects. So, I take advantage of every single bit of time that I have. And, I can write anywhere — in cars, on the train, at airports and on airplanes…it doesn’t matter.  I write!

5.      You have mentioned that aspiring writers have to treat writing as a job. What steps did you take to become the successful and prolific writer/author you are today?

I think the key to treating it like a job is that I show up every day. Like I said before, every day I write. I write when I don’t want to write — that’s what I would do with a job..and writing is my job. So if an aspiring writer aspires to write full time, that writer must start writing every day…NOW!

Pilar, thank you for this wonderful interview.

Thank you, Victoria. It was a pleasure having you.

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The production of her novel, The Deal, the Dance and the Devil has finished. The date of release will be announced soon. Also, her novel, The Ex Files has been optioned for a movie.

You can find Victoria Christopher Murray on Facebook, Twitter and on her website.

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Victoria Christopher Murray is the author of ten Essence bestselling novels, including Too Little, Too Late and Lady Jasmine. Her most recent novel, Destiny’s Divas, was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work (Fiction). Winner of the African American Literary Award for Fiction and Author of the Year, she splits her name between Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.