At AuthorsWiki, we are privileged to have had the opportunity to connect with Vanessa Finaughty, a Author from South Africa, whose unique voice and creative spirit shine through in their latest work, Wizard of Ends. Their book, already making waves across leading platforms, invites readers into a world shaped by imagination, experience, and purpose.
Vanessa Finaughty is a multi-genre author who has published more than 20 books, including school books published by Oxford University Press Southern Africa. Vanessa grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, and still lives there with her husband and their four children (two human and two furry, four-legged).
In this conversation, the author opens up about the deeper motivations behind their storytelling, their personal and literary journey, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Whether you’re a fan of thoughtful writing or someone looking to understand the creative process, this interview promises valuable insight and inspiration.
AuthorsWiki : Apart from writing, what is your occupation for livelihood?
Vanessa Finaughty : I get paid to read! I’m an editor of pretty much anything written in English, from fiction and non-fiction (all genres) to business documents and even some government documents from time to time.
AuthorsWiki : Tell us something about your first book.
Vanessa Finaughty : My first book was Ashes to Ashes. It was originally commissioned as a romance, but that work fell through, leaving me to do whatever I wanted with the book. I’m not a huge fan of the romance genre, so I turned it into a thriller.
AuthorsWiki : Would you like to tell us about your published books?
Vanessa Finaughty : I’ve published more than 20 books, including school reading books that were commissioned and published by OUPSA. Of my self-published work, I’ve published a few non-fiction books and standalone works, and have started two series: Wizard of Ends, and Legends of Origin.
AuthorsWiki : Where did you get the inspiration for publishing books?
Vanessa Finaughty : All of life can be inspiration if your eyes are open to it. A comment or joke someone makes. Something you read in the news. A random social media page or real-life experience. Literally anything. In many cases, a scene just pops into my head and I write it, and the story continues from there.
AuthorsWiki : How do you manage your time to write a book?
Vanessa Finaughty : It can be difficult while working full time, but I try to write at least a few times a week if possible. The weeks I don’t find much time, I try to make it up on the weekend.
AuthorsWiki : What is your favorite writing method — the one in which you write the most?
Vanessa Finaughty : Writing the scene that’s popped into my head and then letting the story take me from there. That’s definitely the most fun way to write, and it’s also good motivation to write – if I want to know what happens next, I have to write it.
AuthorsWiki : When did you start writing, and how did your interest in writing begin?
Vanessa Finaughty : Literally as soon as I was able to hold a pen and form words. From the moment I read my first book, I knew I wanted to write books one day and give other people that same enjoyment.
AuthorsWiki : Is there any special achievement in your life that you would like to share with us and your readers?
Vanessa Finaughty : Being commissioned by OUPSA to write stories for school children is a huge achievement. They don’t work with incompetent people, so it looks really good on my portfolio too.
AuthorsWiki : Are you planning to write or publish a book in the present or future?
Vanessa Finaughty : Yes, I’m currently working on Book 4 in my Wizard of Ends fantasy adventure series. Alongside that, I’m co-authoring a thriller and putting together a sci-fi fantasy short story anthology.
AuthorsWiki : Would you like to give a message to your readers and fans?
Vanessa Finaughty : Thank you for your support; it means the world to me! If you enjoy my books, please leave a review – I appreciate every single one.
AuthorsWiki : Every writer has their own ideal. Do you also have an ideal writer? And what are your favorite books that you always want to read?
Vanessa Finaughty : I have to say Dean Koontz. I love the way his mind works and I especially love the plot twists he always includes. His books are always the first I buy whenever there’s a new one out.
AuthorsWiki : Apart from writing, what are your other hobbies that you enjoy in your free time?
Vanessa Finaughty : I enjoy photography, gardening, outings to the beach, reading and general socialising – in South Africa, we love to braai (barbecue) and it’s often a social event for the weekends (or any time, really).
AuthorsWiki : Would you like to remain in the writing world in the future as well?
Vanessa Finaughty : Most definitely, yes!
How to Buy Author’s Book-
You can buy the author’s book from your favorite e-commerce store-
- Buy from Amazon
- Buy from Barnes and Noble
It was a pleasure speaking with Vanessa Finaughty, whose journey and reflections offer a meaningful glimpse into the creative life of a writer. We sincerely thank them for sharing their time and wisdom with the AuthorsWiki community.
If you enjoyed this conversation, feel free to explore more about the author’s work through the links above, and don’t hesitate to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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