1. For readers discovering you for the first time, can you introduce yourself and tell us about your journey into becoming an author?

Hello! My name is V. D. Salem (a pen name based on my three cats) and I’ve always been a very creative person. I was the kind of kid who read anything I could get my hands on, but fantasy has always been my favorite genre. Over the years I’ve had story ideas here and there, but the concept of my debut novel, Fury of the Sea, just wouldn’t leave me alone. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever get to the point of publishing, but was lucky enough to find very supportive friends who encouraged me every step of the way. They, along with my husband, gave me the courage to take the final leap and publish, and here we are!

2. You mentioned that you’ve been writing since you were little. What first sparked your love of storytelling?

I did a short story assignment in first grade. I can’t remember what the prompt was, but I remember creating a story about a snow leopard who fought through a snowstorm to save her friend. My teacher submitted it to a local competition for kids and my mom helped me create a cover for it even though it was maybe two pages tops. It didn’t win anything, but I had such a fun time that I knew I wanted to become an author someday.

3. Your debut novel Fury of the Sea has been years in the making. What originally inspired the story?

Fury of the Sea is loosely based on the original The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson. But the key difference between my book and his story is: what if the mermaid didn’t choose to become human? In the original and other popular adaptations, we always see her willingly giving up her tail and living in the human world to follow the prince. I wanted to take a different route and explore what I thought might be a more realistic experience for the main character.

4. What can readers expect when they dive into the world of Fury of the Sea?

They can expect to be hooked from the very first chapter with parts that will make them gasp, cry, and kick their feet.

5. Your day job as a music therapist influenced the way your main character, Mira, experiences music. How did your professional background shape her story?

Music is a deeply personal experience for everyone. We feel the effects our favorite songs have on us, or have ones that remind us of certain memories and people. As a music therapist, I get to experience that effect with others. I connect with them through their music, then use it as a tool to help them. Sometimes it’s just improving their quality of life and providing a friend, other times it can be more active in relieving pain, anxiety, or other symptoms. I could go on forever about the science behind music therapy, but at the end of the day what I gave Mira was the magical feeling of connecting through music and experiencing how it affects both her and the world around her. 

6. Music can be incredibly powerful emotionally. How does music play a role in Mira’s journey?

As a Keeper, or an oral historian of sirens, music has been her entire life. It’s her language, her culture, and even her initial purpose to put current events to song. This changes once she becomes human, but music is still a very present and dynamic force throughout the book. It brings her comfort, expresses her emotions where words fail, and even helps her find joy.

7. Your writing also draws from experiences with grief, both personal and professional. How did those experiences influence the emotional depth of the story?

At its core, Fury of the Sea is a story about grief and how we work through it even when it’s painful. Grief is something that people often don’t want to express, or don’t know how. It’s not something we’re taught how to handle. It’s raw, uncomfortable, and can even physically hurt. Like many of us, Mira clings to the before—in her case, getting back to her life as a siren. Along the way, that idea changes as she does, and she has to come to terms that things will be different no matter what. As an author, I did my best not to shy away from the heavier side of grief so that readers can truly experience Mira’s journey with her.

8. What themes were most important for you to explore while writing this book?

Grief, of course, along with self-autonomy, personal growth, and found family. Magical realism was also very important to me, because I wanted Fury of the Sea to feel familiar and lived-in despite it being fantasy.

9. How would you describe Mira as a character?

Mira is incredibly curious and observant of the world around her. She’s a bit naive due to her sheltered life, but makes up for it by quickly adapting to her circumstances. She is someone who likes to consider all sides to a problem and also sees the best in people, even if they’re not necessarily a good person.

10. What was the most challenging part of writing Fury of the Sea?

It was probably managing a work-life balance with my writing. There are times when my work is very mentally draining, or days where my physical health is affected by it. Sometimes I’d be able to write a little bit, but more often than not I needed to make sure I was in the right headspace to address certain parts of the book. And, more importantly, learning how to take care of myself after writing those parts.

11. Was there a particular scene that was especially meaningful for you to write?

Yes! At the end of chapter 22, the MMC Emrys says, “Sleep well and dream of me. Just as I dream of you.” This is a play on something my husband and I have said to each other every night since we started dating, no matter how far apart we were.

12. Your book blends fantasy, romance, and darker themes. What drew you to that combination of genres?

Romance in general is my favorite genre these days, but romantasy is what I come back to time and again. It felt natural to write something along those lines, but I wanted to incorporate more realistic or darker themes to create a setting readers would find familiar. I wanted the world itself to be morally gray, along with the MMC.

13. What was your favorite part of building the world for Fury of the Sea?

I really enjoyed deep diving into the little details! I have experiencing sailing on smaller boats, so I spent a lot of time looking at various era-appropriate ships for this book, along with figuring out how many crew members would be needed, how fast it might go, and so on. I also enjoyed describing the architecture of the different settings and what made them unique.

14. When you begin writing a story, do you usually start with a character, a world, or a central theme?

It depends on how the idea strikes. In this case, Fury of the Sea was created on the concept of Mira, a siren who’s forced to survive on land as a human when her scales are stolen. Initially there wasn’t supposed to be any romance at all, but then the MMC Emrys was brought in as plot device and quickly changed the entire plot itself.

15. Are you more of a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between?

I’m a panster with a lot of chaotic notes dumped in a doc. I’m trying to be better about sorting my notes and creating some kind of outline, but I like to let the story develop organically as I go.

16. What does your typical writing routine look like?

I like to sit down at my desk to write and I always make sure I have something to drink. My cat Dany enjoys sitting on the back of my chair and using me as a pillow, so it forces me to stay in place and not get distracted as much!

17. What part of writing do you enjoy the most?

When I reach major plot points I’ve been waiting to get to. I almost get impatient having to get through everything to reach them, but then once I’m there I see it so clearly that the words just flow.

18. What part of the process tends to challenge you the most?

Longer dialogue for sure. How long is too long? Is this how the character would actually speak for an extended period of time? Is it too repetitive? I’d much rather describe what’s going on than write monologues.

19. What authors or books have influenced your writing the most?

Sarah J Maas is definitely an influence of mine, considering ACOTAR was my gateway romantasy and she also writes new stories based on familiar tales. Another influence is Penn Cole and the Kindred Curse Saga because I enjoyed how Diem and Luther’s relationship felt earned while still being complex even when they’re together.

20. What do you hope readers feel or take away after finishing Fury of the Sea?

I hope they feel as if they’ve been in Mira’s shoes and experienced everything the way she did. But I also kind of hope they’re sobbing as hard as I was at the end so it’s not just me!

21. What has been the most rewarding moment of your author journey so far?

Right after I finalized Fury of the Sea and began working with my publisher, my sister in law and her friend came to visit. They also enjoy reading romantasy so I told them about my book and sent them copies. I thought they would read it at some point when they got home, but instead I was able to watch them read it in person throughout the week. It was incredible to see and hear their reactions to certain parts, and have them asking questions when they finished. It was the first time I had that “I really did it” moment.

22. Are there more stories planned in this world?

Yes! 2-3 more books depending on how the pansting goes.

23. What advice would you give to aspiring fantasy authors who want to publish their first book?

Your writing doesn’t have to be perfect or neat in the first draft. Leave the plotholes and messy grammar and misspelled words. You can always go back and fix it, but don’t keep yourself from moving forward if it’s not just right.

24. What are you most excited about for the future of your writing career?

I’m most excited for people to read my work and hear how it’s impacted them. I enjoy a good story as much as the next person, but my favorites are those that stay with us long after the last page. If readers feel that way with Fury of the Sea, then I’ll be happy.

25. Where can readers connect with you and follow your work online?

I have an instagram (@vd_salem), but I’m more active on TikTok (@vdsalem). I love getting feedback, so feel free to reach out!

 

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Rapid Fire Fun 🔥

26. Coffee or tea while writing?
Wine. But coffee if I’m not allowed to say that!

27. Morning writer or night writer?
Night writer for sure

28. Favorite fantasy creature?
Sirens, obviously

29. Paperback, ebook, or audiobook?
Ebook for instant gratification, paperback for the feel, audiobook for driving

30. Favorite place to write?
At my desk

31. One word to describe Fury of the Sea?
Intense

32. Favorite writing snack?
Something crunchy and salty

33. Music while writing or silence?
Silence or I can’t think

34. Favorite comfort fantasy read?
The Inheritance Cycle by Christopher Paolini

 
35. One thing readers might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m a trained opera singer who’s also been in a rock band!