Dive into the dark and tempting world of Vivian Murdoch, a sassy romance writer who’s not afraid to explore the taboos that make us squirm and the complexities that make her characters unforgettable. Vivian’s latest release, “The Wolf,” is a spicy novella that’s part of The Annual Game Night series. It’s a story that challenges norms and takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions while keeping you on the edge of your seat.
“The Wolf” is an omegaverse dark romance that delves into forbidden relationships and controversial themes. It’s a story of Adam and Jocelyn, stëpsiblings entangled in a complex relationship that defies societal norms. The book is a labyrinth of dark themes, including dubc0n/nonc0n and forced Os, among others. Vivian Murdoch crafts a world as intriguing as it is unsettling, making it a must-read for those who dare to venture into the darker corners of romance.
But who is Vivian Murdoch? She’s a fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants author, whose creative juices flow strongest in the dead of night. Vivian has a penchant for writing alpha holes, anti-heroes, and heroes you love to hate. When she’s not penning down her dark fantasies, you’ll find her playing Animal Crossing or spending quality time with her pets.
Now, let’s get into my exclusive interview with Vivian Murdoch, where she spills the tea on her inspiration for “The Wolf,” her approach to writing sensitive topics, and much more.
Vivian, what was the initial inspiration behind “The Wolf”? Was there a specific moment when you knew you had to write this story?
So, I’m a decent fan of horror movies. I saw all the Purge movies (except the most recent one… but we won’t talk about that one) in theatres. I’ve loved the concept of having one night where you can do anything you want. Even my friends and I talked about what would you do on purge night. Well… For me, I was like, I’d hack into the system and wipe out all student loans. Like, it kinda bothered me that we saw only really violent crime. I’m not a violent person, but I def have some things I’d like to accomplish. That of course, got me thinking even further. Why were there no sexual crimes? I mean, yes, we did get that scene where the women offered themselves to be living art and got touched, but really? That’s it? And that is what started the wheels turning. Once I started watching Black Mirror, the idea really solidified. I think it was after the last Purge movie that I really got excited about the idea of doing a purge night, but make it sex. At that point, I was really leaning into the omegaverse world and felt this was the PERFECT backdrop to start my story. At first, I wanted to just do several short stories and publish them together, but with my other projects, that wasn’t feasible. That’s why I opened it up as a shared world and anthology.
Your book delves into some very taboo and dark themes, such as stépsibling relationships and dubc0n/nonc0n. How do you approach writing about such sensitive topics while keeping your audience engaged?
I’ve always been a darker writer, and I feel my readers know to expect that at this point. I don’t really like to describe my stuff as just DARK, because, let’s face it, there’s way more darker stuff out there. However, I do say I’m dubcon minimum. Even my “light” stuff has things like arranged marriages where they really can’t say no. I do my absolute best to put up trigger warnings to help those not familiar with my work to know whether or not they can handle my brand of love.
Adam and Jocelyn are complex characters with a lot of layers. Can you share some insights into how you developed them? What was the most challenging aspect?
Literally, the hardest was the sibling aspect. I’m an only child, and it was so hard to think about the family dynamics in this situation. If I’m being honest, I’m worried I didn’t punch that part up enough because I just don’t have the life experience. I did my best to add in the angst, but I’m worried it still didn’t ring true. The saving grace, in my opinion, is that they didn’t grow up together. They don’t have that typical sister/brother dynamic. As far as developing them, they did things just like all my other characters. They told me what their issues were, how they would behave. They become real people in my mind, and all I can do is write down what they tell me. For example, in the scene where he pees on the suppressants, I was not expecting that. I’m writing, minding my own business, and Adam’s like… you know what? Imma piss all over them. Like… what????
“The Wolf” is set in an omegaverse. For those unfamiliar with this term, could you explain what it is and why you chose this setting for your story?
So, it seems like there’s a lot of leeway when it comes to omegaverse. People do things differently. I’m going to tell you how I define my omegaverse, but please know other authors might do it differently. I write mostly human omegaverse, meaning they don’t shift. I have one shifter story right now that I consider kinda omegaverse, but for the most part, I deal with humans. There are three dynamics in my world—Alpha, beta, and omega. The Alphas are dominant, aggressive, bigger, and far more powerful. They have the ability to incapacitate betas and omegas with their Alpha bark or growl. They exude power over the other dynamics and bend them to their will. Betas are more like average Joe’s. They have nothing special about them. The omegas tend to be far more subservient, smaller, more delicate. The other aspect is Alphas can go into a rut (very animalistic. Same as heat in felines and canines) and omegas go into heat or estrus. Though they remain human, the Alphas form a knot at the base of their penis that locks into the omega during sex. Just like a dog. When they decide to claim each other, it’s done through a bite. This will allow them to hear each other’s thoughts and feel their moods and feelings. All other aspects of the omegaverse world are dictated by what I’m writing. It will be different depending on if I’m doing contemporary, Regency, or dystopian. But these aspects tend to remain the same throughout my work.
You’ve described yourself as a “fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants” author. How did this spontaneous approach influence the development of “The Wolf”?
Oh boy. So, I’ve been TRYING, try being the operative word, to at least have a basic plot to my stories before writing. The problem is, that the characters take over and change EVERYTHING. As I was working on The Wolf, I had the ending change on me at least three times. It was getting frustrating. But because I basically let the characters lead me, we go where they tell me. It doesn’t matter how well I plan, the story will always change.
You mentioned that you like to try out everything you’re putting your heroines through. Without giving too much away, were there any particular scenes in “The Wolf” that required some “scientific” experimentation?
Thankfully no. Lol. For this one, I didn’t go too far outside my knowledge zone. Unfortunately, the parts I’d want to research are things that are impossible. Since bonds aren’t a real thing, I couldn’t experiment with those aspects.
This book is part of The Annual Game Night series, with other books written by different authors. How did you ensure that “The Wolf” stood out while still fitting into this shared world?
So, this part got a little hairy for me. While trying to finish The Wolf as well as monitor the entries for the anthology, I had emergency surgery which set me back at least a week. I had to scramble to finish this story. So I haven’t had a chance to check in with the other authors to see what they’re doing. I do feel like mine will stand out by the mere fact that this world is my own. I created it. I know it better than anyone else writing in this world. I created an extensive world bible for everyone to read, but it’s different than actually living in this world in your head.
Given the dark themes, you’ve included an author’s note to help readers gauge if the story might be too much for them. What would you say to readers who are on the fence about diving into such a dark romance?
So, for me, I would say, yes I’m dark because of the lack of consent. But for the most part, I’m not a violent writer. Violent things happen, but usually not the h. I just don’t thrive on things like that. (Beware my bratva vampire dark duet though… that one does get a little rough for her.) I like to think I’m dark light. You’ll get the yummy dark stuff without actually harming the h. If that makes sense?
On a lighter note, you’re a fan of Animal Crossing. Do you have a favorite villager or a specific design theme for your island that you’d like to share?
I try to bring a little bit of my other interests into the game. My flag is the fairytale logo, my clock chime is the temple theme from ocarina of time, and I give my villagers manifestations as their catchphrases. For instance, one greets me with ABUNDANCE.
Can you give us a sneak peek into any upcoming projects? Will we be seeing more of Adam and Jocelyn or other characters from the Annual Game Night series?
So, I have a project that’s latched onto me and is not letting go. I’m working on an alien abduction hucow series that will also include an anthology coming out July 9th Cow Appreciation Day. I just couldn’t help myself! I was going to wait until the antho to write a story, but I’m itching to dive in. I’m hoping to have one for the holiday! As for the Game Night, Adam and Jocelyn are done. However, I set up a set of 7 Alphas in the anthology, so I’m planning on running the antho and shared world for at least another 6 seasons. Next year, however, I’m planning on doing a separate antho couple and shared world couple. Of course, I’m also still going to work on my other books. I’m hoping to make great strides in my Regency omegaverse series next year.
What a journey it’s been to delve into the mind of Vivian Murdoch and explore the intricate world she’s built in “The Wolf.” Vivian’s candid responses offer a glimpse into her creative process, her challenges, and her aspirations. Her willingness to tackle taboo subjects and complex characters like Adam and Jocelyn shows her prowess as a writer who’s not afraid to push boundaries.
Vivian’s spontaneous writing style keeps her stories fresh and unpredictable, a quality that has undoubtedly contributed to the gripping narrative of “The Wolf.” And for those who are still on the fence about diving into such a dark romance, Vivian’s own words serve as a gentle reminder that her brand of love, while dark, doesn’t drown you; it invites you to dip your toes in.
As we wrap up this enlightening conversation, it’s clear that Vivian Murdoch is a force to be reckoned with in the realm of dark romance. With upcoming projects like an alien abduction hucow series and more installments in The Annual Game Night series, Vivian is set to continue challenging our perceptions of love, relationships, and societal norms.
So, if you’re intrigued by the complexities of forbidden love and the allure of dark romance, “The Wolf” is available now for those daring enough to explore. Grab your copy today and experience the thrill for yourself.
