I don’t usually snack when I’m reading, but I am notorious for reading during dinner.
What is your favorite pastime?
I love getting out and exploring the mountains. Whether I do it on horseback, snowboard, motorbike, or my own two feet, I love seeing the wild places in the world.
Do you have a secret talent?
I am an artist. At the moment I am working on acrylic paintings inspired by my novels.
What are your favorite books to read?
Fantasy will always be my jam, but I also love reading self-help books. I learn so much! When I’m not in the mood for either of those, I will read sci-fi and historical fiction.
What authors inspire you?
Brandon Mull, J.R.R. Tolkien, Morgan L. Busse are some of my favorites.
What genre do you primarily write?
At the moment, it’s strictly epic fantasy.
What inspired you to start writing?
I’ve always loved reading and writing, but it wasn’t until my Public Relations professor asked me to sign an opinion piece I wrote for the university newspaper that I thought I was actually any good.
When do you write?
I write whenever I have time.
Do you consider yourself a Plotter or a Panster?
I am a whole-hearted Plotter. I started out as a Pantser for my first novel and it was a wreck.
How do you go about world building for your writing?
Once I have the idea for my world, I spend a lot of time reading kids history books about that topic. I love using kid books to learn because they are short descriptions and have plenty of pictures so I can put the details in my world that it needs.
What is your writing routine?
My husband and I run a small fruit farm, so my winter routine is different than summer. However, it basically looks like this: write 1-3 hours in the morning, then squeeze in another 1-3 hours at the end of the day.
What’s your favorite part about being an author?
Being able to inspire others either through taking them on a journey that moves them, or encouraging them to pursue their own stories.
How have your life experiences shaped your writing?
I didn’t realize this until much later, but my first book was a way for me to heal from trauma in high school. Since then, I find many small daily interactions that influence my writing.
Who is your favorite character in your short story?r
Darius. He’s one of the villains in my series, THE COMSTOCK CHRONICLES, but he’s conflicted that I love writing about him.
What are you most excited about with being part of this anthology?
I’ve loved being able to work with so many other authors and learn their perspectives on writing and publishing.
How did you come up with the idea for your short story?
The idea for this story came about when I asked the question “Why did Darius hate humans?” After venturing down that rabbit hole, I found the heart of the story you’ll find in the anthology.
Is your story in the anthology a standalone short, or is it part of a series?
It is intended as a bridge story between THE COMSTOCK CHRONICLES and my next series that will focus on the lost dragons of Zephralos.
Do you have other books out that you’d like to let readers know about?
THE COMSTOCK CHRONICLES has four books out at the moment and the final two books will be published by the middle of summer 2025.
Any final things you want readers to know?
“Be who you are, and say what you feel, because those who mind, don’t matter. And those who matter, won’t mind.” ~ Dr. Seuss
You can find out more about Vanessa and her books at www.vanessathurgood.com and you can read The Fire Drake, the prequel novella for her series, for free when you sign up for her newsletter.
