Ask the Author: Viggi Johansen
Answered Questions (7)
Viggi Johansen
Thank you so much for sharing your influences. It is fascinating to see how deeply your literary identity has been shaped by both the great Arab masters and Western writers. I must admit, I’m not yet familiar with Naguib Mahfouz, Taha Hussein, Abbas Mahmoud Al-Aqqad, or Ahmed Shawqi, but you make me curious to explore them. I love when someone speaks with such passion about the authors who helped form their inner world.
I always enjoy hearing what shapes other writers, because in the end, we all carry a mosaic of voices inside us when we write. Thank you again for sharing yours.
For me, one of my strongest inspirations has been My Secret Garden by Nancy Friday. When it first appeared, it shattered so many taboos and gave countless women a voice for their deepest fantasies. The honesty and courage in that book helped shape my own writing, especially the willingness to explore desire without shame. I’m from a younger generation, but her bravery still inspires me. She remains a lighthouse for women’s emancipation.
Warmly,
Viggi 💙
I always enjoy hearing what shapes other writers, because in the end, we all carry a mosaic of voices inside us when we write. Thank you again for sharing yours.
For me, one of my strongest inspirations has been My Secret Garden by Nancy Friday. When it first appeared, it shattered so many taboos and gave countless women a voice for their deepest fantasies. The honesty and courage in that book helped shape my own writing, especially the willingness to explore desire without shame. I’m from a younger generation, but her bravery still inspires me. She remains a lighthouse for women’s emancipation.
Warmly,
Viggi 💙
Viggi Johansen
My first novel "Adventurous Designs" was in my head for a while, and the story line is more reality than fiction, hence somehow unfolded by fate. The Edge of Submission is also based on true experiences, but contains a bit more fiction than the previous book.
Viggi Johansen
Hi Theo, It definitely makes the most sense to start with Adventurous Designs. Even though each book can stand on its own, this one is the beginning of the journey.
It is the first in the series, and you will get to know why Viggi is who she is today. It traces that path from being a shy red-haired girl to a woman who’s learned to embrace her desires, her strength, and her truth. Life hasn’t always been simple, but certain people along the way helped me grow into who I am.
Go for "Adventurous Designs" and if you have any questions or thoughts while reading, I’d really love to hear them.
It is the first in the series, and you will get to know why Viggi is who she is today. It traces that path from being a shy red-haired girl to a woman who’s learned to embrace her desires, her strength, and her truth. Life hasn’t always been simple, but certain people along the way helped me grow into who I am.
Go for "Adventurous Designs" and if you have any questions or thoughts while reading, I’d really love to hear them.
Viggi Johansen
Her whisper promised pleasure as the ropes tightened around my wrists, each knot a caress. But when I looked up, her eyes were no longer human.
Viggi Johansen
If I could step into any fictional world, I think I’d choose one of those rich, sensual universes where power, trust, and desire are at the heart of every encounter. A world like the one in Anne Rice’s The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty series, where fantasy and submission are woven together in such a daring way.
What would I do there? Honestly, I’d want to explore. Go out and wander the castles, peek behind closed doors, and maybe even surrender to the mystery myself. Part of the thrill would be not knowing exactly what awaits… only that it would push boundaries and awaken something new.
For me, that’s the magic of these stories: they allow us to imagine stepping into worlds we might only dream of in reality, reading a book those worlds blur.
What would I do there? Honestly, I’d want to explore. Go out and wander the castles, peek behind closed doors, and maybe even surrender to the mystery myself. Part of the thrill would be not knowing exactly what awaits… only that it would push boundaries and awaken something new.
For me, that’s the magic of these stories: they allow us to imagine stepping into worlds we might only dream of in reality, reading a book those worlds blur.
Viggi Johansen
It might already be September, but I still think of it as my “late summer reading list.” ☀️📚
This year I leaned into stories that resonate with my own writing — romance, discovery, and a touch of BDSM:
1 Captive in the Dark by CJ Roberts — dark, intense, and impossible to put down.
2 Standby Counsel by Alexi Venice — a mix of power, love, and sizzling tension.
3 Her good Side by Rebekah Weatherspoon — heartfelt, sexy, and beautifully written.
Even if the summer is over, these books have kept the heat alive for me, and they’ve given me lots of inspiration heading into autumn. 🍂
This year I leaned into stories that resonate with my own writing — romance, discovery, and a touch of BDSM:
1 Captive in the Dark by CJ Roberts — dark, intense, and impossible to put down.
2 Standby Counsel by Alexi Venice — a mix of power, love, and sizzling tension.
3 Her good Side by Rebekah Weatherspoon — heartfelt, sexy, and beautifully written.
Even if the summer is over, these books have kept the heat alive for me, and they’ve given me lots of inspiration heading into autumn. 🍂
Viggi Johansen
A mystery in my life that could be a great plot for a book is how I discovered myself through my relationships and experiences with BDSM. It wasn’t just about the physical side, but more about understanding who I really am and dealing with complex emotions. This journey of self-discovery, with all its challenges around love, power, and vulnerability, actually became the inspiration for my book. At times, it was hard to tell what was real and what felt like a fantasy, and that’s where the mystery lies.
About Goodreads Q&A
Ask and answer questions about books!
You can pose questions to the Goodreads community with Reader Q&A, or ask your favorite author a question with Ask the Author.
See Featured Authors Answering Questions
Learn more