Veronica Lamont Interviewed  By  Vith Homsombath To visit Veronica Lamonts' web home Click Here

What drives you or inspires you to write?

Real life problems which individuals face, the hardship I see and I may have witnessed personally. My latest book I'm Not Mad...I'm Special is based on a schizophrenic girl called Sky. She faces neglect all her life from her parents and their drug problems, also from school - the typical bullying that goes on - and from every day life where she feels she does not fit in. Her problems are most problems a child or teenager may carry with them at some point, and they struggle to find the help they need to help them overcome their problems and to develop into a young adult with success. Sky falls into her dream world for protection and she soon finds her hidden demons, which slowly drags her to her so-called paradise... (You will have to read I'm Not mad...I'm Special to understand what I am trying to share. (A shameless plug here)

When did you first start writing and what was it about?

I started writing poetry based on hardship, death, loneliness, physical violence, anorexia, and drugs in teens and so on. I seem to be able to only write about these issues and nothing else, this is what I personally want to share; I want my work to relate to the troubles we all face. My first poetry piece was written when I was fourteen after my mother passed away, a poem for her and how I felt. I have been writing poems ever since. Writing a book came when I was feeling down a couple of years ago and they do say "Write how you feel or what you know" so I wrote about examples of what I may know or have seen.

Do you write every day, like in a journal or a diary?

I have neither diary nor journal, I store everything upstairs (my mind) but I do write as much as I can. I have three books on my computer and I am touching up my latest novel called "The killer Within" which I am praying will also be published at a later date.

How did you come up with the story "I'm not mad, I'm special"?

Well, when I was a child I saw a few things inside a mental institution, which I had to visit at the age of seven/eight onwards for a while. And these memories stayed with me. This is written in my book under the chapter "Shoot the buzzing old girl". I saw that lady empty those dirty ashtrays into her pocket and drink from the leftover plastic white cups when simply she had her own. I saw things that helped me write about the situations and living conditions and the way people may act from the drugs they take. I also saw death growing up and how hard it was to fit in and how quick I was made to grow up with seeing violence and misery - stir these life experiences mixed with a sprinkle of imagination altogether in a big pot and you get I'm Not Mad...I'm Special! Nothing in the book is written directly about myself or what I may have personally done, but it is about what I saw and learnt from others
misfortune, and I used this information to create my book.

And did you have the title before your wrote the book?

The title came to me when I started writing about the character Sky. Sky was not mad, yet everyone in her life - well, they simply labelled her with the insane sticker - she was a special child living in hell. Therefore, the title came easy and to tell others that when you are labelled with this sticker, this is not the truth and that to be labelled mad is degrading, a reflection to others naivety and lack of knowledge, so I would rather call Sky special. In addition, I am not saying this statement about people who kill and do wrong in life, I am on about the confused child who has no hope and continues to grow with no hope...these are special children.

What part of your real life, would you say, applies to the book?

I think I answered this in one of the questions above. So, I will do another shameless promotion plug here and babble on about my newly released book "Grab your copy of I'm Not Mad...I'm Special" available at major online bookstores. "wink"

How did you come up with the names of the characters...are they names of people you know or have dealt with?

No names are real. I seem to be ok when it comes to picking names. The characters are developed first with personalities and plots for each and then I read over and picture their names.

Are you working on any other book right now?

Yes, I am working on "The Killer Within", once again a thriller. About a girl who faces physical neglect from her parents and sees the death of her twin hanged. The young girl is wrongly accused for her twins murder and spends the next 28 years inside a mental institute. This new book starts when she is finally released with a new name and identity and she becomes best friends with the copper who is in charge of investigating the latest killings taken place in their area. I refuse to give anymore away!

Do you believe you have found your calling or purpose in life by being an author? Do you see yourself doing this for 40 or 50 years?

I see myself writing until I cannot write anymore. However, I would not say this was my calling in life. I look to do many things; web design is another one of my favourite hobbies. One day I would like to become a "shrink" as some call it, helping people with their troubles. I want an office in a basement apartment with brown leather chairs and dim lighting! Yes, I would like to help others when they get lost along the unbalanced line of life and help them rebuild themselves to face their future.

What are your favorite books, movies, music?

I love Stephen King books and I love horrors and thrillers. Movies are mixed between gangster, horrors, thrillers, but films that do not give the ending away and I am left after the film with strong feelings to what I just watched. Music wise I like rock, rock and more rock. Raw live unplugged! I love the guitar; wish I could play it too. There are so many grand rock bands out and my all time favourite is Nirvana and always will be.

Do you have hobbies, if so, what are they?

Chocolate! Going out and about drinking with the girls. Spending my time with my family and friends. Spending money going mad on clothes. Hearing other people's troubles and helping them "wrap up" the lose ends to make their own life more enjoyable. I love arguments to clear the air, then you are able to kiss and make up...and then it is all forgotten. Animals, many animals, at home we have tropical fish, water dragons, and Nile Monitor, Pedigree Staff We have had many breeds of snakes and next on the list is a monkey!

Who are your favorite authors?

There are many grand writers out there known and unknown. I have to admit that I do not read as much as I used to. I like to read real life stories. One comes to mind straight away, "A child called It", "The Lost Boy", "A Man Named Dave" by Dave Pelzer, and also The Kurt Cobain Journal and other Nirvana books that I have come across.

Who or what has been the most influence in your life and why?

The death of my mother opened my eyes at an early age to many things... To treat others the way you would want to be treated. To love your family and friends dearly to be there for them when ever you can. To keep your "Best" friends limited to one hand count and to keep your enemies up close. To go for whatever you want in life and not to give up at the first sign of disagreement (I.E. A stranger may love my book and give me a glowing review, but then a family member or close friend simple hates it and makes you feel like you have developed and distributed nothing but crap. DONT GIVE UP prove them wrong. If I have something to say I should say it loud and clear. If you don't like it then that's fine - say so - but never tell me I am wrong. What does this mean? It means everyone has their own opinion...so use it.. I also have learnt not to fear death, so my eyes are wide open to life and its wondrous adventures and to live it to the fullest...while you can.

What achievement are you most proud of?

Giving birth to my girls. Having people I know or do not know saying to me "You helped me through it"

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Write and write then write some more. Write about what you know and exaggerate it into your book; tell others through your words and characters about the feelings to which the book is related. And make sure that you never give up at the first sign of trouble, your work is to please yourself first and if your happy with it, then hold you head up high and share it with others and write some more.

Thank you Veronica for this honor. I've enjoyed this interview. You have a bright future to look forward to, and I wish you much success and happiness