Interview With Vicki Batman, Author of Little Birdie Who…and Other Stories

I’m delighted to welcome Vicki Batman here today for an interview and a look at her short story collection, Little Birdie Who…and Other Stories.

Hi, Vicki, thank you for being my guest! Tell us a little about Little Birdie Who…and Other Stories:

These are three stories I submitted to Woman’s World magazine and were rejected. So are you thinking they must be horrible–no! WW gets around 200 submissions a week. So I’ve sold some to other places and put them in contests. “This is NOT Working” took first in the 2012 Book Breeze short story contest. WW stories are 800 words. They’re very short.

Blurbs:

“This is NOT Working“: One of those days at a new job when nothing is going right until the new boss steps in.

“Check Her Out“: Gum: it’s a sticky situation, especially between the store manager and Auntie Caren when her nephew has to pay for the package he stole.

“Little Birdie Who… “: A new town, a new friend, a new beginning. Who would have thought a little bird could bring two people together?

How do you come up with ideas?

I usually hear something and that sets me off writing dialogue. I continue on in a hurried rough draft and then go back and refine and refine. Sometimes, I sit down and say I’m going to write a story using xyz word. That’s tougher, but I do it.

What is your favorite scene from this story and why?

I love the scene in “This is NOT Working” when the boss helps the new hire. I can see his smile and get all smushy.

Where is your favorite place in the world?

Anywhere with Handsome. Really.

What is your favorite food to cook or eat?

I love hamburgers, really, really good ones.

What do you like to read?

My first love is mysteries, followed by contemporary and historical romances, women’s fiction.

Do you listen to music while you write? What are you listening to now?

Most of the time I do have music going! I like acoustical guitar like Nova Menco, David Russell, John Williams.

Who influenced your decision to become a writer?

I blame Susan. She just had to play car games on the way home from a girlfriend trip. She asked the question “write the opening paragraph of a book using the word window.” I had nothing and deep down I was paralyzed because I’d wanted to write for a long time and she knew that. So I went home and wrote eight chapters, showed them to Susan and she told me to continue.

These are few of my favorite things:

1. Peanut M&Ms

2. my kitty and dogs

3. my men

Bio: Like some of her characters, award-winning author Vicki Batman has worked a wide variety of jobs including lifeguard, ride attendant at an amusement park; a hardware store, department store, book store, antique store clerk; administrative assistant in an international real estate firm; and a general “do anything gal” at a financial services firm. The list is…endless.

She has completed three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories. She is a member of RWA and several writing groups and chapters. In 2004, she joined DARA and has served in many capacities, including 2009 President. DARA awarded her the Robin Teer Memorial Service Award in 2010.

Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and thinking “What if??”

You can find Vicki at:

Website: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vicki-Batman-sassy-writer-of-sexy-and-funny-fiction/133506590074451?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/vickibatman

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/vickibatman

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4814608.Vicki_Batman

Amazon Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/Vicki-Batman/e/B005AY5ZN8/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1343929464&sr=1-2-ent

You can find Little Birdie Who…and Other Stories at:

Amazon.com: http://amzn.com/B00AYOT9GS