It's Beginning to Read a Lot Like Christmas 2025: Author Interview with Vida Li Sik

What made you decide to write a Christmas themed book? Could you give a short synopsis on the book for my readers?
Living in the Southern Hemisphere means we don’t get snowy Christmases—our festive season is all sunshine and summer fun. The closest we come to snow is high up in the mountains during July, and that became the inspiration for my story, Giving Heart—a “Christmas in July” tale set around a cozy lodge in beautiful Lesotho.

Giving Heart is a story of second chances. After a painful breakup, single mother Hannah has sworn off love and trust. But when she joins a snowy midyear getaway, she meets Henri, a man who’s long buried his own dreams of family. As laughter fills the air and snowflakes fall, old wounds begin to heal. Will they find the courage to open their hearts again—or let the past keep them apart?

What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions?
Here in South Africa, we celebrate Christmas in the middle of summer. Our family starts the day by exchanging gifts after breakfast, then we gather for a big, leisurely lunch with loved ones. The afternoon is filled with board games, swimming, and plenty of laughter—the perfect time to relax, unwind, and simply enjoy being together.

What’s next in writing for you?
Next year, I’ll be joining the multi-author, multi-genre Our House series of Christian novellas once again—this time set in a charming little village in South Africa’s Cape Province, one of the most breathtaking places on earth. I’ve loved being part of the first two series, which took us to England and Scotland, and I’m thrilled to continue the journey closer to home. On my own, I’m also working on a small-town series of novellas set in a fictional South African town—a project that’s been on my heart for years. I’ve even started writing two of the stories already, and I can’t wait to bring this dream to life.

What’s the best writing tip you’ve learned or been given you’d like to share?
I’m not a fan of detailed outlines, but I’ve discovered the value of creating a simple “skeleton” outline. It maps out the main plot points and key challenges my characters will face, giving me just enough structure to guide my writing while still leaving room for creativity and surprises along the way.

What do you know now about writing and publishing you wish you had learned sooner?
The value of a critique partner to help you decide if the story works or not, and to help you not to be sentimental when it comes to cutting scenes or dialogue that don't serve the story.

Any last words or tips?
Build a supportive writing community around you. Connect with a few fellow writers to share ideas, offer feedback, and encourage each other through every stage of the journey. Consider teaming up to write a shared series or set your stories in the same fictional town—it’s a fun way to collaborate, grow together, and reach new readers you might never have found on your own.

What’s your newest release that you’d like to tell my readers about?
I’ve just released my latest women’s fiction novel, The Baker’s Pickle—book 12 in the Our House on Heather Wynd series, set in a charming fictional Scottish village. The story explores adult sibling rivalry and the power of forgiveness, blending my love of baking with my passion for writing about multicultural characters.

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Vida's current and upcoming books, here are some links to get you started. 

Website: https://vidalisik.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vidalswriter

Since this is the Christmas season, here's a tip on how to get a free eBook. Sign up for Vida's newsletter and you'll get a copy of Giving Heart when you sign up . 
https://storyoriginapp.com/giveaways/b56253b0-ba56-11ef-967a-8be90ae0d202 

The Synergy of Working with Others: Author Interview with Vida Li Sik

Amazon shows you having 13 published books, but what inspired you to write that first book? What did you learn from writing that book that helped you to continue to write?
My first book, Bowled Over, is a sports romance between a cricketer and a female reporter that centres around match-fixing (a hot topic around the time I worked as a sports reporter). My inspiration is often sparked by the "what if?" question, and in this case it was " What if a passionate cricketer and a determined female reporter, each on opposing sides of a controversial match-fixing scandal, find themselves drawn to each other against all odds? 

I could only write at night once I'd put my two boys to bed. While I spent months doing prep work, I did the actual writing during National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) and I managed to pen 50,000 words in 30 days. The tremendous pressure to finish my first book helped me realise what I was capable of as a writer.

You’re an indie author, which means you’re in charge of everything. What other parts of the process do you personally do or hire others to do?
I've always done everything myself, using my skills as a copy editor to edit my books, and also using a free version of editing software to get by. I also use a marketing platform where authors and readers can connect to sell books and do newsletter swaps. This year, after much prayer, I was finally able to afford to hire an editor and I now have her editing a couple of books on my backlist.

What’s the best encouragement you’ve had in your writing?
Connecting with local authors and writers from around the world in my genre has been incredibly rewarding. Having a supportive sounding board to share ideas with or just chat when I need it most has made a tremendous difference in my journey.

Marketing is the biggest key to making sales. What is the best marketing source you've used that has produced more sales rather than just clicks? 
Collaborations with other authors on platforms such as Facebook parties or private groups where we can meet and interact with readers.

What do you know now about writing you wished you had known sooner? 
I’ve learned to trust my instincts and silence the negative voices that lead to self-doubt. Embracing my confidence has been a valuable part of my journey.

What is the best writing advice you’ve received or could give? 

The best advice is to write that first draft and get your story done, no matter how bad you think it is. You can rewrite and change things afterward to your heart's content, but you can't edit a blank page.

Are there any other points about writing you would like to add? 
Find your niche and write the story you’d love to read. It’s more fulfilling to connect with a smaller, dedicated audience who will appreciate your work than to compete for the attention of thousands.

What is the next book coming out or latest release? Can you give me a short synopsis? 
I just released a Christian women's fiction story that's part of a larger group of stories that all  take place on Sycamore Street. My story about a woman who leaves South Africa after a traumatic event. She struggles to build a new life for her family in a small English village when she gets into a dispute over a fence. It's a story about resilience, community, and a sense of belonging.

That's all for today's interview. If you'd like to learn more about Vida's books, here are some links to get you started. 
Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Vida-Li-Sik/author/B078R8G2BC 

Website: https://www.vidalisik.com/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vidalswriter/

And here's a bonus for my readers...Leave a comment on this post and we'll pick one reader who'll receive a copy of Vida's new eBook, The Outsider's Welcome. So do that now. It can be as simple as I want to be in the giveaway. We'll chose a winner next Friday!