I recently read one of the most entertaining romantic comedies called Love Like The Movies by Victoria Van Tiem. After reading her witty story, I had to ask her all about it. Here is my interview with Victoria. If you haven’t read her book yet, be sure to get yourself a copy. And, if you are a movie lover like I am, then I am sure that you will enjoy it.
Interview with Victoria Van Tiem
Susi: First off, how long have you been writing? Is this your first book?
Victoria: I’ve always written, but mostly short stories and only for me. LOVE LIKE THE MOVIES is my debut novel and I’m absolutely thrilled with how well it’s being received.
Susi: Obviously, you are a big movie lover. Where did the idea for this book come from? (It is brilliant!!)
Victoria: Thanks! Yes, I’m a huge movie fan. Most of my so called bucket list includes things like: be an extra in a movie: participate in a Hollywood red carpet event, be a seat warmer at an awards show. Life is short, if we don’t make these moments happen, the chance just passes us by. No, I haven’t done those exact ones yet, but I did audition for TV Land’s She’s Got The Look, a model show like Americas Next top Model for women 35 and up. Oh, I had no desire or false hope of actually being a model, but the location shoots and makeovers made this irresistible! And would you believe I even made it past the first rounds! Me, at 40 and only 5’2! Okay, they didn’t know I was only 5’2 because I was wearing 5 inch heels. A friend went with me as support, literally as support, because I couldn’t walk in my super stilts. It was over as soon as the shoes came off. But It was comical, and fun, and an experience.
That’s where the idea really stems from, wanting those experiences. Most are within our control. We just need to push ourselves, get out there and live them. And until Jake Ryan shows up driving a Porsche and offering me cake, I guess I’ll have to write about the ones that aren’t.
Susi: I loved all of your movie choices. How many choices did you have before you finally made the list for the book? What other movies were possibilities for your book?
Victoria: I had so many! The motorcycle scene from How to Lose a Guy In Ten days, “A little give, a little go.” Love that with Matthew McConaughey. And the thriller scene from 13 going on 30 was hilarious. But in the end, the scenes had to wrap around the story of Shane and Kenzi, because their story had to be center stage. But, yeah, narrowing them down to ten was really difficult. I did manage to reference a bunch throughout the story though.
Susi: What was your favorite scene to write?
Victoria: The movie scenes, of course. Taking something familiar and changing and bending it around Kenzi’s own personal story was just fun. I love the physical part of comedy as well. The treadmill war with Tonya, the Four Weddings and a Funeral mad-dash back to Kenzi’s, and the failure to Launch paintball attack and van chase. The teenager in that scene provided the best straight man to Kenzi’s insane situation.
Susi: What was the most difficult scene to write?
Victoria: The end. Well, let me clarify that, the first ending. I wasn’t ready to let them go. After some time had passed, I sat down again and gave their story the ending I felt they needed. Maybe the end I needed.
Susi: If your book could be turned into a movie, who would you cast? Did you have any muses for your characters?
Victoria: I would die if LOVE LIKE THE MOVIES became a movie. Seriously, on set I would become the character Honey from Notting Hill when she meets the famous Anna Scott. “Oh God, this is one of those key moments in life, when it’s possible you can be really, genuinely cool – and I’m failing 100%.”
My character muses are all too old to play them! I hate saying that, but it’s true. So for an actual movie, we’d need to find younger versions of who I envisioned. My muse for Shane has always been a mixture of Hugh Dancy’s speech and mannerisms from Confessions of a Shopaholic, out in 2009, and the ridiculously handsome smile of James Marsden. Oh, readers have mentioned Richard Madden for Shane. He’s about the right age, right? He works.
Bradley is blond and broad. Paul Walker was my original muse. So sad that we lost him. So for a movie maybe Chris Hemsworth? He’s 30, he could play Bradley. My muse for Tonya was Judy Greer, but she’s just a bit younger than me, so that doesn’t work. And Kensington I never had a muse because she’s you, the reader, and hopefully the story is experienced as if you’re in her head. But right, casting for a movie… I do love Emma Stone.
Susi: Your title is perfect. Did you write the story with this title in mind or did it evolve as you wrote?
Victoria: Love Like The Movies was written under another name and changed at the very last minute. We played around with a few ideas, but ultimately I have to give credit to my fabulous agent, Jenny Bent for this title, and I agree that it captures the story perfectly.
Susi: Are you working on any other writing projects now? (I loved your writing so I hope so)
Victoria: I am. It’s a modern remake, loosely based on a 1960’s Rom-Com, only the stakes are higher, the relationships deeper, and the main plotline is much more tangled.
Susi: Is there anything you would like to say to your reader/fans?
Victoria: I’m just so happy that LOVE LIKE THE MOVIES is being received so well. I truly am. And I hope it inspires and reminds each of us to live our lives center stage.
Thank you Victoria for taking the time to answer these questions. Your debut is brilliant! I can’t wait for more readers to get their hands on it. Best of luck on your current writing project. I do look forward to reading more of your words.
~Susi
Reading and Writing Between The Wines Blog
About Victoria Van Tiem
Victoria Van Tiem is an American author repped by Jenny Bent of The Bent Agency. She’s also an artist, black belt, mom of two, wife of one, and resident caretaker of her family zoo—including their beloved, pot-bellied pig, Pobby
Webpage: http://victoriavantiem.com/
Twitter at @https://twitter.com/vtiem
Goodreads
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/v.vtiem
Reading & Writing Between The Wines Blog 