Interview with Vanessa de Largie, author of Don't Hit Me!



Vanessa de Largie is a multi-award-winning actress and author based in Australia.  She was introduced into the world of make-believe when she was 3.  Her mother was a film buff, who made her watch films from the 50's era. Her father, an avid reader and vinyl collector gave her a love of books and music. Combined, her parents influence allowed her to know early on, what she wanted to do with her life.  At 22, Vanessa left her hometown of Perth for Melbourne and within a month, she had a lead role in a play at Melbourne's La Mama Theatre. Over the next decade, she would begin to hone her craft.

In 2006, Vanessa was cast in the lead role of Nocturne, Night of The Vampire, directed by prolific Melbourne film maker Bill Mousoulis. The film earned her the Best Female Actor Award at the 2007 Melbourne Underground Film Festival.  The film was accepted into the main program of the Athens Film Festival, Cork Film Festival and the Brussels Fantastic Film Festival. Vanessa was flown over as a guest. (Nocturne, Night of The Vampire is now distributed by Troma.)

In 2009, Vanessa was cast as the lead in horror film Context, the film premiered at the Razor Reel Film Festival in Bruges, in which Vanessa flew over as a guest.  Context is part of the extras on the American release of El Monstro Del Mar by Breaking Glass Pictures Distribution.  (Unfortunately it isn't listed on the dvd's cover.)

Later in 2009, Vanessa was accepted into the New Actors Workshop in
New York, run by famous film director - Mike Nichols (The Graduate.)  On her return she worked on the film Crazy In The Night starring film director Frank Howson and Prisoner actors Tommy Dysart and Joan Brockenshire.  Vanessa won a second Best Female Actor Award at the 2010 Melbourne Underground Film Festival for her leading role in the film.

In 2011, Vanessa was selected as a Victorian finalist in The Miss Pinup Australia Pageant, where she competed under the title Miss V-Bomb. She was given a spread in Beat Magazine as well as being interviewed by various Victorian newspapers.

In 2012, Vanessa became a freelance writer and mentor for Topic Media, writing over 90 lifestyle articles and winning many writing awards.  That year, she was also commissioned by Australian publisher Hampress to write her erotic memoir Tantric Afternoons.

Tantric Afternoons launched in April 2013 to rave reviews.  Vanessa followed the book's release with 4 more titles - Tough ChoicePowers At PlayLascivious and her latest book, Don't Hit Me!

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Can you tell us what your book, Don’t Hit Me!, is about?

Don’t Hit Me! is about my journey through domestic violence. 

What kind of message is your book trying to tell your readers? 

The message is one of hope.  Through the darkness, there can be light. 

Which holiday is your favorite and why? 

London makes me very happy.  It’s such a classy city.  Many beloved friends live there.  I love going to the theatre there. I feel at home in London. It’s very Vanessa!

What do you like to do for fun?

I love to go travelling. I like to drink champagne and eat fresh seafood.  I like to watch old movies and listen to traditional jazz. I also adore reading and bubble baths.

Can you tell us about your family?

I had the most beautiful parents.  They have passed away but I’ll always be indebted to them.  Mum and Dad encouraged my creativity.  I trained in singing, dancing, acting, music-keyboard and art (just to name a few).  I was given every opportunity and now it’s time to give back.

What do you like the most about being an author?

Everybody dreams of doing a job that they love.  I love my work.

What kind of advice would you give other non-fiction authors?

I don’t really like advice much.  Every author has their own path.  What might work for me, may not work for them.  Don’t listen to anybody, follow your own heart and intuition.  That’s what I do with my own creative journey.