Victoria Aveyard: How ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ Helped Inspire Her New Novel ‘Tempest’ (Exclusive)
Plus, find out which three books Victoria Aveyard recommend and what she's currently reading!
Key Takeaways
- Victoria Aveyard pulled a pirate arc from another book idea and was sparked with 'Tempest'.
- She treats writing as a full‑time job; writes Monday–Friday to stay disciplined.
- Grab 'Tempest' and check out her three perennial book recommendations.
Victoria Aveyard is no stranger to the fantasy genre given that she has two major book series under her belt—Red Queen and Realm Breaker. Now,the #1 New York Times bestselling author has just released Tempest, the first novel in the The Lyrian Sea duology.
Tempest follows Cat Rose, a former noblewoman facing execution for treason unless she helps the Meridian Empire hunt down its greatest enemy, Valerian Kane. He’s the last great pirate captain and the only man she’s ever loved.
Woman’s World had a chance to connect with Victoria Aveyard to chat about her newest fantasy novel and discuss the books she will never stop recommending.
Woman’s World: How did the story of Tempest initially come to you?
Victoria Aveyard: I was working on the proposal for another book that had a pirate storyline inside the larger work, but it was much stronger than the rest of the idea. So I pulled out the pirate arc, knowing it deserved its own novel later, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it, so I went for a walk and listened to the Pirates of the Caribbean soundtrack as I stomped around my neighborhood. As I walked and listened, an entire plot unfolded. I saw the sequences, the acts, the arcs of each character so clearly.
When I got home, I wrote up a one-sheet for my agent and sent it to her alongside a one-sheet for the other idea. I told her my dilemma: the other story wasn’t working and this one—Tempest—really seemed to click in my head. But I wanted her input, and probably her validation, too. Lo and behold, both my agent Suzie and her assistant at the time came back almost immediately with “WRITE THE PIRATE BOOK.”
WW: What made you want to dive into the world of piracy?
Victoria Aveyard: I’ve always been drawn to worlds in flux—worlds ending, new worlds beginning, and the odd space in between the two. That’s where pirates naturally thrive, so it made sense that I explored this space. And of course, pirates are part of our cultural mythos, in many different ways and places. I think you’d be hard pressed to find someone without some connotation of piracy or a favorite pirate tale.
WW: What is your writing process like?
Victoria Aveyard: I have to treat writing like what it is—my full time job. When I’m not out on a promotion cycle, I write Monday to Friday, keeping normal work hours as best I can. If I waited for inspiration, I would not have nine published books under my belt. This is a dream, but it is also a career and that requires a lot of discipline.
WW: How do you go about developing characters in a world like the one in Tempest?
Victoria Aveyard: I was lucky in that my main character, the core of the story, came to me fully formed. I immediately knew Cat Rose so well, could see her, could hear her voice, could understand her perspective on the world she occupied. For her, it was just a question of letting her run. The characters around her required a lot more thought and finesse, especially her counterpart Valerian Kane, the idealistic but ruthless pirate captain. He’s more straightforward but I needed more time to get to know him in the draft. And of course, in the sequel.
WW: What is it about the fantasy genre that first drew you in?
Victoria Aveyard: As a reader, I do love the escapism of fantasy, but also fantasy’s ability to communicate what we might otherwise not accept in different genres. It sugarcoats the pill, so to speak. And as a writer, I love the control of creating an entire world and everything in it.
WW: Fantasy is having a big moment right now—why do you think fans are obsessing over this genre?
Victoria Aveyard: Personally, fantasy is always the moment in my opinion. But obviously, it’s wonderful every time a new reader enters the fantasy space and gets to experience all the incredible stories of the genre. I think readers are drawn to the escape, but also the adventure, the thrill, the freedom this genre represents in extraordinary circumstances and ordinary people navigating them.
WW: What book(s) are you currently reading?
Victoria Aveyard: The Lions of Al-Rassan by Guy Gavriel Kay.
WW: What are 3 books you’ll never stop recommending from any genre?
Victoria Aveyard: The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden, The Buffalo Hunter Hunter by Stephen Graham Jones, A Song of Ice And Fire by George RR Martin.
WW: Which of your books would you like to see adapted?
Victoria Aveyard: Any of them! I’m not picky
Be sure to pick up a copy of Victoria Aveyard’s new novel, Tempest.
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