When you’re brainstorming for a new story, what usually comes first for you, the plot or the characters?
Dialogue. Someone will say something and my head goes bing! I hear my characters talking and have to write it down. And usually, it’s the opening line of the story.
Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Lordy, I’m a panster. I mean, I generally know how the story will go—beginning, middle, black moment, happily ever after. Somewhere in the middle, lots of challenges are tossed in to make the characters grow.
But that’s it as far as outlining. I’ve read pantsing is a slow way to write. So yes, it does take me a long time to write. That’s okay because pantsing works for me.
Do you find it harder to write novels or short stories?
It is hard for me to write novels. I’ve had approximately thirty short stories published. I began my writing career by writing a book. After a few years of revising and shopping it around, I went uh. My critique partner and I had just chatted about critiquing and she sent me six short shorts to review. After reading the six, osmosis set in and I caught the rhythm. I began churning out the shorts. One day, a friend asked when I would finish my book. I worked it again and then sold it!
Writing short has taught me a lot. I’ve subbed 800 word ones for Women’s World. Being very concise is so hard to do! But I learned what was important in those stories.
The others vary from 6,000 to 18,000 words. In a way, the story dictates how long it should be.
Would you tell us about your latest release?
My latest is “Holiday Handbag Extravaganza,” a romantic comedy short story in the Season of Surprises anthology. Here’s a blurb: Christmas Countdown is on! Hunk-a-licious customer, Jack Treadaway, pesters boutique owner, Callie Woods, to locate a vintage handbag for his mother. Too bad the wedge between them is his sister, the meanest girl in town.
Confession: I love handbags.
What makes the hero of “Holiday Handbag Extravaganza” hot?
For me, a hot hero is tall (mostly because I’m tall), but more importantly has good values, and a great twinkle in his eye. Twinkles say a lot.
Would you tell us about yourself?
I’m just a regular type of gal. I love to read and reading led me to writing. An avid Jazzerciser. Handbag lover. Mahjong player. Yoga practitioner. Movie fan. Book devourer. Chocoaholic. Best Mom ever. And adores Handsome Hubby. Most days begin with my hands set to the keyboard and thinking “What if??“
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I really enjoyed this post, Vicki. It’s interesting that you ‘hear’ the dialogue first 🙂
And 30 stories pubbed? Congrats!! Awesome accomplishment.
Wishing you all the best,
Jacquie
I love short stories. They can be feasted on a little at a time! And I love the humor in your books! All the best!
Hi, Jacquie! I sold a lot to the True magazines before epublishing. It was a good way for me to hone my craft. It’s true about hearing the dialogue. I once wrote a story and while rough, I realized what does the heroine look like? LOL
Hi, Melissa! I truly appreciate you liking my fun stories. So many people overlook shorts as not enough, but if written well, they are enough. Perhaps, it’s because we had to read more literary ones in school and didn’t know about the fun ones. LOLOL