An Interview with Victoria Smith

Victoria loves spending time with her three grown children. She has two daughters and a son. All her children share her love for animals. They each have more than one pet—dogs, cats, a guinea pig, a rabbit, a turtle, a bearded dragon, fire-bellied frogs, a parrot, and fish. Victoria is a volunteer at FAAS, which is an animal shelter in Alameda, CA. She enjoys giving time to these animals who just want companionship and kindness. The volunteers provide them with the opportunity to become adoptable and loving members to their new families. Victoria currently has a box turtle named Swimmy (whom the current book is about), a large three-legged cat named Smokey, and a small, barking dog named Daisy. She will forever enjoy writing books about animals.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

As a teacher, I love children’s books and read many over my 29 years of teaching. When I retired, it was only natural for me to keep focused and write the stories that were waiting to be told. I remember the custodian said to me when he learned I was retiring, “Never, stop learning.” I thought how odd to say that to someone who has dedicated her life to learning. But “WOW”, what a learning ride I have been on. There were so many things to learn about writing and the various things that go along with it. I now smile when I hear his words. How wise he was! I just wish I knew where he was so I could thank him for his inspiring words.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

In my twenties, I worked for Longs (CVS today) as a cashier while attending college. Then I worked for Bank of America, because I loved working with money. I even got to do business analysis for some of our local business clients. But I really missed my dream of being a teacher. I pursued it and got my Teaching Credential in my 40s. I wanted to teach kids who had difficulty in reading and math and make it more exciting than it was for me growing up.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

Swimmy is a box turtle I had in the classroom. My classes loved Swimmy. Things in the story like her 40-gallon tank, the fig tree outside our classroom, Mr. Hill, Strobridge Elementary, and the playground were real in the story. I just added magical wings to make her into a Superhero for our school. I find that titles for me come very easily and I think of them first even before I write the complete story.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

I was so excited to get the proof. A proof has a gray mark over the middle of the book. You need to approve it first before they make copies to sell. Then I ordered the books. It’s a fantastic feeling of accomplishment to see your books and your name on the cover. It’s extremely exciting!

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

“Happy,” “Let’s Be Superheroes,” “I Have A Pet”

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

First, to have fun and let your imagination go wild. Swimmy is also a good friend and will do anything to protect her friend and the school. My perfect reader is aged 4-8. Swimmy shows it doesn’t matter how small you are; it’s what you do for others that counts!

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

I love sending it to the editor after I have revised it many times. It amazes me how much better my story becomes with a developmental children’s editor.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

My next book will be a book about how an animal who helps a little girl deal with her anxieties and social-emotional friendships. What’s interesting is that it will be a joint effort with my adult daughter. So, this will be a challenge for me. As my dear custodian said to me, “Never stop learning.”

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.