Where do you hail from and what do you love most about your hometown?
I am from a large city in Texas. I love it and have always wanted to be here. The shopping does rival any place in the world. We have fantastic restaurants. And it is fairly inexpensive to live here. I can fly to either coast quite easily without changing planes.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? A teacher.
Tell us about your latest book. My latest is “Store Wars” from MuseItUp Publishing. Here’s a nice blurb: The competition heats up when Janie’s old flames comes back to town and is running his family’s business.
Do you have anything new in the works and can you tell us a bit about it? I have two submissions out and am hoping-praying-wishing they sell. I have some things I haven’t sold and am looking for the perfect place to put them. And in December, “Twinkle Lights,” will be available thru MuseItUp Publishing.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging about writing? Marketing. Marketing. Sigh. Marketing.
What advice would you give to writers just starting out? Persevere. Which is true about everything in life. Persevere.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? If so, what do you do about it? I haven’t had it. However, I do believe other creative outlets fuel my writing. So I do a lot of needlepoint, read, exercise.
Who is your favorite author and why? Dick Francis who has, sadly, departed. He put together fabulous mysteries. I gobbled them up like candy.
What books have most influenced your life? I cut my teeth on Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden. But the book which launched me into adult fiction was Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. The author which launched me into romance was Emilie Loring.
How did you deal with rejection letters? Not much else to do but say, “Oh well.” And move on. A bit of chocolate is a good go-to. J
What tools do you feel are must-haves for writers? A friend turned me on to Write Tight. My writing improved immensely after reading it. Lots of workshops under your belt, too. A great critique partner(s).
Where do you as an author draw the line on gory descriptions and/or erotic content? Hmmm. I hadn’t thought of this. I really don’t think too gory. As for erotic, oh, yeah, I’ve written that one. The key there is to not write like a manual.
What’s the weirdest thing you’ve ever done in the name of research? I did do the local police and fire citizen academies. The firemen were worried when I rappelled and swung out the wrong way. I fixed myself and continued. LOL.
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
Author Central: http://www.amazon.com/Vicki-Batman/e/B005AY5ZN8/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1343929464&sr=1-2-ent
Find Vicki’s books at:
MuseItUp Publishing: https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?keyword=vicki+batman&Itemid=1&option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.browse
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Vicki-Batman/e/B005AY5ZN8/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1342624559&sr=1-2-ent
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/man-theory-and-other-stories-vicki-batman/1108346172?ean=2940013707368
Good morning, You Gotta Read Reviews. Thank you so much for having me visit today!
Hi Vicki. The city that you live in is where I grew up and I can’t agree with you more. The shopping, food and being centrally located is great. *sigh* I miss living there but not the traffic.
Marketing is tricky. You write a book, sell it and then what?
Congratulations on Store Wars!
Marika
maw1725@gmail.com
Hi, Marika! I am fortunate to live in a part of town that isn’t so crazy compared to other parts. I am a lucky girl!
You hit the nail-marketing is tricky. I do what I can. I think most of us do. AFter a while, everything comes down to luck.
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Great interview, as always, Vickie!
Marketing. Oy. Yes. That is definitely a challenge.
Hi, Michelle! Yep, there is no easy answer when it comes to marketing. I guess in the long run, social media is cheaper than the media advertising we grew up with. Everyone is doing it.
I’ve got this next in line to read. It sounds delicious.
Hi, Marian! You are so sweet. And YOUR Jake Carrington mystery sounds delicious. Congratulations to you!
Vicki, great interview! I’m laughing about flying to either coast without changing planes. Much as I love NE Florida, that’s something I miss – ease of travel.
Congratulations on STORE WARS, and on all of your success, and here’s to MUCH MORE!!
Light,
Nancy Haddock
Hi, Nancy! It’s true about the flying part. I’d be at my wits end if I had to do connections without beaucoup de hours between the flights.
Congratulations on all your success too. Missed seeing you so much at RWA!!
We have traveled all over the US, but I have never been to Texas…yet. Gotta get there and go shopping, eh? I loved a book series in the era of Nancy Drew but it was about a nurse. I wish I could remember the name of it! Guess it never got that popular. Looking forward to reading Store Wars!!
Hi, JQ Rose! Hmmm. I remember a Donna Parker mystery series. But not a nurse one, although I’m sure it is out there somewhere.
Someone I know just came back from France and she said the shopping is the same the world over. I find a lot of that to be true. I try to shop for more handmade goods when I travel. Even go to flea markets and antique stores.
I can’t wait to hear what you think about STORE WARS. Thanks for following me over here to YGRR!
Oh boy, I wish I’d been there to see you do the rappel thing. I can just picture you, blonde hair flying, laughing like crazy. Am I close? LOL!
Congrats on your latest release. I’ve read it and it’s awesome! So totally funny, just like you!
Hi, Sheila! It was hilarious. You step out the a 3-story window, facing the outside wall. Only I swung around. I twisted back, rappelled down. Stood up with a huge grin. Got some thumbs up and fell flat on my a**. LOLOL.
Oh, thanks for reading, Sheila, whose Wedding Fever is totally awesome. ox
Thank you, YGRR, for having me visit today. A delightful interview from a delightful site. Happy reading!