Eliana: Hello, clay readers! Happy April and welcome to this month’s Girl Spotlight: Abi Voss!
Abi: Hi everyone!
Fred: Wait–you’re not Mercy! Where is she and what did you do with her??
Eliana: That’s classified information that you don’t have clearance for. But you can still help me with the interview. Abi, let’s start with the basics as usual: age, grade, and where you live.
Abi: I’m 18, a senior in high school, and I live in Virginia!
Eliana: Virginia’s such a beautiful state! What classes are you taking this year?
Abi: Because of the beauty of homeschooling, I’m able to focus on what I’m most passionate about, so I’m just doing AP French with TPS and Algebra 2 outside of TPS. My main focus is on the Author Conservatory, a college alternative for gifted writers that I’ve been doing for the past three and a half years. I’ll graduate from the Conservatory this June!
Fred: Aw man, I can’t really use my tagline “Wow, that’s a lot” in this situation.
Eliana: Don’t listen to Fred. That’s so cool! Can you tell me more about your author journey, and what you’re aspiring to in the future?
Abi: Sure! My writing journey started as just a hobby writing Warrior Cats fanfiction, but then turned into a passion as I began writing original novels. Then, when I was invited to become a student at the Author Conservatory in 2020, it became my career path. The Author Conservatory is an online conservatory for writers started by Brett Harris (author of Do Hard Things) and Kara Swanson (author of Dust and Shadow.) The Conservatory teaches the writing and business skills of having a successful author career. I’ve been able to learn from incredible authors like Christopher Paolini, Andrew Peterson, Mary Weber, and more. And in addition to being a student, I also work for the Conservatory as the Student Success Manager, which basically means I keep our online “campus” running smoothly and encourage young writers daily.
Eliana: I heard you recently got published! What was that experience like?
Abi: As a graduating capstone project in the Conservatory, students are showcased in the Conservatory’s Voices of the Future anthologies, and my short story The Little Tire Shop was featured in Volume 1: Stories of Family and Fearlessness. Here’s a little blurb for The Little Tire Shop:
“Quinn Oliver can’t fix anything. Not cars, not magic, and worst of all, not her family.
For generations, Quinn’s family has owned the Little Tire Shop, a magical mechanic shop that pops up wherever it is most needed. But after the death of her grandfather, the magic of the shop—and her grandfather’s legacy—is dying, the building beginning to crumble. Even worse, Quinn’s family is breaking apart, dissolving into arguments about selling the shop.
But Quinn can fix it. Having just gotten her license, it’s her turn to complete the family’s tradition of making an addition to her grandfather’s 1970 VW Beetle in the Little Tire Shop—the Oliver family way of taking your place in the family. Everyone hopes completing this tradition will revive the shop’s magic—and heal their fracturing family. But Quinn is only gifted in making a mess when she stands over the hood of the car, so how is she supposed to fix the shop—and her family’s grief?”
Launching the anthology was such an exciting process and since the release date in December, we’ve sold 900 copies–which is really exciting. Now, I’m pitching my novels to literary agents and pursuing traditional publishing. I can’t share much about the novel I’m pitching right now, but I can say that it’s along the lines of WandaVision meets Phantom of the Opera.
Fred: Okay, I guess that is pretty cool.
Eliana: That’s amazing, congratulations! What an awesome opportunity you’re able to pursue. Moving to a less serious question, what’s a meme that represents your life?
Abi: This one XD
Eliana: Haha, that is extremely relatable.
Fred: If you had to sum up your personality in three words, what would they be?
Abi: I’m going to choose some images/aesthetics: coffee shops, sunshine, and books!
Eliana: I love that vibe! Speaking of books, what’s the worst book you’ve ever read?
Abi: This is tough! I don’t know if I can think of a specific book, but maybe a category? I’m not a fan of super preachy books, where the thematic message overrides the actual story.
Eliana: Oh yeah, I hate those too. It’s like, I get the point you’re trying to make, can we move on with the action, please? Next, you have one day to do whatever you want with an unlimited budget: what are your plans?
Abi: Oooo this one is so hard too! I’d probably go to Lyon, France and buy a cute little apartment in Vieux Lyon. I got to visit there last November, and it was so peaceful and lovely.
Fred: Ah, the land of my ancestors.
Eliana: I thought you said in Lydia’s article you’re from Kuwait?
Fred: Do you even listen when I talk?! I said land of my ancestors, not land of me.
Eliana: Gosh, you’re never this rude to Mercy. Go eat some gummy bears somewhere. Sorry, Abi–favorite literary trope: go!
Abi: Ahhhh how can you choose one? Maybe friends to lovers? But I also love a good love triangle.
Eliana: In my opinion, friends to lovers is severely underrated. What’s some of the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Abi: “Don’t be an idiot.” Changed my life. (JK, hopefully someone will get the reference ;)) The Office quotes aside, I always love the reminder, especially being a young person, that nothing is permanent. Growing up is so hard, and sometimes, it feels like you’ll be in that stage forever, but that’s not true. That awkward moment you keep reliving or those times of heartache will pass. And everyone goes through hard times too, so know you’re not the only one. We all go through different seasons and we can get through them together!
Eliana: Haha I’ve never seen The Office, but that seems like solid advice. Jokes aside, I love that so much. Finally, what’s a Bible verse that really spoke to you recently?
Abi: I always love 1 Peter 5:10, “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
Eliana: That’s beautiful, and it kind of relates to what you were talking about before too! Anything else you want to tell clay readers?
Abi: My website is abilynvoss.com, where you can learn more about me and my stories and sign up for my monthly update newsletter!
Eliana: Thank you so much for this awesome interview! Bye, everyone!
Fred: Bye! *whispers* Now give Mercy back.
Eliana: Hey!
LOL poor Fred is not used to someone new.
hahaha yes he does not cope well with change
loved reading this!
thank you!!
aww this is great!! you did an amazing job eliana!
thank you so much!! i had some big shoes to fill <3
love this!! And the Author conservatory sounds amazing! I’m in YWW, which Brett is the co-founder of.
Yes!! I was on YWW for a long time before joining the Conservatory–it’s amazing!
OH MY HOT CHEESE, ABI?!?! I’M JANE DO YOU REMEMBER FROM CAMP LAST SUMMER (WE WERE IN THE SAME WING) ?? 😭 😭 😭 I cant believe it’s actually you
AHHHH JANE! Of course I remember you!! It’s so great to hear from you!!
Thank you so much for interviewing me, Eliana! This was such a joy!
it was my pleasure!! thank you so much for giving the best interview! <3
Nice to meet you Abigail! That’s so cool that you’ve published something and that you can learn from famous authors!
Hi, Abi! Nice to learn more about you. Also, I appreciate and understand the office reference (: