Friday, January 31, 2014

Paths to Publishing: Vicki Batman || BUG STUFF...AND OTHER STORIES




Path to Publishing by Vicki Batman


I blame Susan. (Yes, she knows and gleefully takes credit where credit is due.)

Once upon a time... Several girlfriends and I were on a getaway. When our merriment had died on the way home, Susan suggested we play her version of car games—basically, she asked nonsensical questions, and her captive audience answered. For example: pick one-Tom Jones or Englebert Humperdink? I went with EH because he seemed more romantic. The others picked Tom because he was wilder.

Then she asked us to write the opening paragraph to a book using the word window. I panicked because she knew how I had toyed with the idea of writing. At the moment, the words did not come to me. So she left me off the hook and said, "Email something later."

Two days had passed when I sat down to fulfill my promise. My fingers began to fly. I kept returning and returning to the doc. After eight chapters, I got brave and gave it to Susan. She read what I'd written and said to keep going.

I knew if I wanted to continue and make something of my work, I needed help. I turned to RWA and my local chapter. There, I made friends like me! I submitted to contests, one of which asked why I was writing?!!! (That had my crying for two days. After that, I put on my big girl panties and thought "no one is going to define me!") I submitted to agents. I subbed to editors. And finally through critiquing for a friend, I discovered writing short fiction. 

I've written twenty-seven short fiction pieces, essays, and three books. This year, my first book, Temporarily Employed, the one I showed my friend will be published. What a glorious ride!


Title: Bug Stuff…and other stories
Publisher: Vicki Batman
Date Published: 02 04 14
Genre: Contemporary romantic comedy
Word Count: 2,512

Blurb: 

Three short and sweet romantic comedies by sassy writer gal includes: "Just Desserts": a political dinner gone disastrous brings together a reluctant attendee and her handsome seat-mate. "Bug Stuff": A cute accountant unites with his co-worker to fight a pesky adversary. "With This Ring": When a wife forgets her little black dress, all turns into something utterly romantic and unforgettable in the end.



Available for purchase:

Author 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.

Writing for several years, she has completed three manuscripts, written essays, and sold many short stories to TRUE LOVE, TRUE ROMANCE, TRUE CONFESSIONS, NOBLE ROMANCE PUBLISHING, LONG AND SHORT REVIEWS, MUSEITUP PUBLISHING, and THE WILD ROSE PRESS. 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??"

Author Links:
Goodreads   

18 comments:

  1. Hi Vicki, Thank you so much for sharing your journey and your story with my readers today. I hope you're having a good Friday. :)

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    1. Hi, Melissa: and thank you for having me. Today is my day. I'm hanging here and piddling. Hugs!

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  2. I LOVE your story of how you got into writing. That is so cool. I've never done a "take one word and start a story" game but it sounds like a great idea.

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    1. Hi, Patty: Taking one word and writing a story is hard. Marilyn Baxter taught a short story class and we had to write a story from a picture. I was at a loss because before I'd always heard a bing! and dialogue. She said to scribble; so I did. And I turned it in to be critiqued by her friends!!! But I got back nice things. I really went to work and made it a good story, which I did sell. Thanks, sweetie!

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  3. Thanks for sharing your story. Loved it!

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    1. Hi, Normandie: I did leave out the part about how I'd wanted to write like Dick Francis. I love/loved his mysteries. I gobbled them up like good chocolate. It took me too long before I had the push mentioned above. Thank you for posting.

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  4. I love hearing about your journey, Vicki! Much continued success to you!

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    1. Thank you, Ms. Harlequin Intrigue author who is doing great things! Very proud of you. Hugs,

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  5. I really enjoyed hearing your story, Vicki. And your book of shorts sounds delightful. On writing games, I remember Jenny Crusie having us write a story with the first letter of the alphabet and each successive sentence beginning with the next one. It was a ton of fun. Interesting to see how the brain works, where our thoughts take us.
    Good luck with the book, and congrats! again.

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    1. Hi, Robena! and thank you so much. What an interesting game Jenny gave you. I might have to try that. Wouldn't a Round Robin be fun! Hugs,

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  6. Thanks for sharing your journey about writing. I love how you got started.

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  7. Hi, Beverly! Oh you are so welcome. Some people have always known. I began writing poetry at age 9 and wrote pretty good papers in high school and college. I wrote and edited four different newsletters over the years. I should have recognized writing was/is a part of me even then. Hugs,

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  8. Hi Vicki! I loved hearing your story, which I clapped at the end! Amazing! This reminded me of one of my favorite quotes by Eleanor Roosevelt..."No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." So thrilled that you kept on writing. Wishing you all the best...

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    1. Hi, Mary! And thank you so much. Looking back, I wish I had started sooner, but maybe I wasn't prepared. Maybe I hadn't lived long enough. I don't know. I do know I have a few more stories to tell (3 very sexy ones!!!). Thank you so much, vb

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  9. Often life turns a road when you least expect it...Thanks for sharing...

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  10. Vicki, what a nice story. I'm glad you kept going an didn't let that contest judge discourage you.

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    1. Hi, Cara! Surely, you have heard my whole life story by now?!!! lol. No, it took a lot of determination to say no one can define me and get to work. Soon, my first book will be published and I'm over the moon with happiness. Thanks, my friend.

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