Michelle Miles Author

Adventure Awaits

Inkwell Guest: Vicki Batman and Lavender Dreams

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Today, my good friend/stalker buddy returns to the blog for another guest appearance. She’s in a new anthology called Lavender Dreams with her short story, “Taking Flight.” All proceeds from the sale of this anthology benefit cancer research.

Thanks so much for visiting again, Vicki! Your story, “Taking Flight,” is part of MuseIt Up Publishing’s cancer anthology, Lavender Dreams. Why did you want to contribute to this anthology?

Instead of journaling, sometimes, I just write down things I want to remember or rant and rave over. I’d experienced a once in a lifetime event with a friend and didn’t want to forget that day; so I wrote our story down. Then, I kept working and working until I felt it perfect. But I had no place to send it.

When I joined MuseIt Up’s author’s loop, I saw the different emails about a cancer anthology and went bing! in my head. I could submit this story about my wonderful friend and it could be shared with others. The book benefited a hospital in honor of a MuseIt Up editor, Karen McGrath, who had passed from cancer. A wonderful opportunity. I submitted, and my story was accepted!

You write short stories. How did you get your started writing short?

I have a very good friend who asked me to critique six shorts she wanted to submit. After a while, osmosis set in, and I began writing my own stories. She suggested sending mine to a True magazine. I did and they bought it and several more. I’ve sold seventeen stories and one sexy novella. I love writing shorts! Mine are sweet and laugh-out-loud funny and writing shorts works well with my life.

I figure, on average, I’ve written close to 100,000 words in short stories. I’d love to continue selling them and even be a part of more anthologies. (I have a doozie that needs, begs to be in an anthology.)

Now for fun: What is your favorite fairy tale?

Oh dear! I haven’t thought about this in years. I would have to say in my mom years, I loved Disney’s version of The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. My boys were small when these movies came out. We watched and watched the videos, memorizing every song and did sing-a-longs in the car. LOL.

Thank you so much, Michelle, for having me. You know I love and adore my stalker buddy.

To purchase Lavender Dreams, which includes “Taking Flight,” go to: http://tinyurl.com/86p82uy
To purchase my sexy novella with a touch of magic, “I Believe,” go to: https://www.nobleromance.com/Books/275/I-Believe

Vicki Batman is kicking back with a Diet Coke and working on a new short. Find her at: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com or at: http://plottingprincesses.blogspot.com.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  2. Hi, Miriam: and thank you. I love my special story and am so happy it found a home in this collection. You are right–the cover is a dream. Thank you for posting!

  4. Hi, Lynne! I agree–a very good cause and I get to help in a small way which honors my friend. And Handsome, who is five years strong. Thank you for stopping by.

  5. Hi Vicki,

    Sounds like a wonderful story and for a cause that touches all our lives. I lost my daddy to cancer. And for anyone who hasn’t had the opportunity to read any of Vicki’s shorts, you’ll love her wit. Best of luck in your continued success, Vicki.

    Hi Michelle, waving out to you also. Now you have me thinking about fairy tales.

  7. Hi Vicki and Michelle.

    This is a wonderful little short story and for such a good cause. I lost my mother to ovarian cancer, so this is a cause near and dear to my heart, and I’m grateful to see people willing to donate the proceeds from their hard work to such a worthwhile cause as fighting cancer. Vicki’s stuff is laugh-out-loud funny and just the right length to give you a good lunch time read or a “quickie” before bedtime. 😉

  8. A wonderful cause. Having read many of Vicki’s stories, I know this one will be just as good. For all of us who have lost someone special to cancer, it’s especially important to support this cause while being entertained by a group of great writers.

    Waving at both Vicki and Michelle.

  12. Hi, Kathy: We can see from your post and Pam’s how cancer has hit our families. Mine included. Someday… It was a privilege to participate and although this isn’t my funniest story, it is heart moving. ox

  16. Vicki, what a fabulous cover!:) Like you, I like writing shorts…for me, it’s like icing. Cake is a novel, but short stories are icing:)…Congratulations on your new release:) Wishing you fluid thoughts and flying fingers as you work on your next piece:)
    Lo

  17. Thank you for sharing yourself in such a worthy cause Vicki. I lost my brother to cancer, had a scare with my daughter and my husband lost both parents to cancer as well as seven aunts/uncles which means his grandmother had to bury eight of her children.

    I’m a strong advocate to anyone’s efforts to find a cure and I’m especially grateful for you.

    Hugs,
    Karen

  18. Hey, Miss Vikki. You rock! Nice job with the anthology and thank you for donating it to a worthy cause. I’ve lost several close people to cancer and I hate that bitch. We have to wipe her off the planet.

  20. Hi, Karen: a thousand thank yous to you for what you’ve done as well. Your story is a hard one and my greatest wish is no one has to suffer like this. I’m grateful to you too. oxoxox

  21. Hi, Misty: thank you so much; however, I’m thinking you rock because of your hard work with Entangled. In the five years since Handsome had cancer, the treatment has changed. That is a testament to how medicine has evolved in treatment. I think we are getting closer to wiping the b**** off the planet. Hugs back.

  23. Hi, Sasha: I’m blushing. But it wasn’t a hard story to write about a friend and what we experienced. I miss my friend a lot. Thank you so much for the compliments.

  24. 🙂 I loved your story in the collection, Vicki. It really touched me, especially as my dear friend and cousin is going through much the same thing. Heartwarming tender and it illuminated the triumph that can come amidst our deepest struggles. That butterfly dance will remain an image in my mind forever. Thank you!

  25. Hi, Kat! I hope your cousin and friend are doing better. Fighting cancer is hard. Plain ol’ hard.

    And I’m lucky Handsome did so well. His check up today was good too! Great rejoicing!!!

    I don’t think I will ever forget the butterfly dance either. Every year, I think will I see the butterflies migrate like that year. I haven’t. It was meant to be for me and my friend.

    oxoxo

  26. I gotta tell you – cancer is hitting my home personally these days. In just a short while, my father in law, and two girlfriends who are both in their early forties, were diagnosed. I hope your anthology will bring peace and comfort to those who are battling it, and those who love them.

  27. Hi, Kelly Lee: Rats. Rats, rats, rats.

    I’ll never forget when Handsome was diagnosed. All I knew in my head went blank.

    I hope the monies raised will help as well. Keep me posted on how your friends and family are doing. oxoxox

  28. Hey Vicki! I’m so proud of the work you’re doing with Muse, particularly, Lavender Dreams. Your shorts are simply delightful. But with L.D., I can’t keep from thinking of our beloved Donnell Epperson, OK-RWA’s heartbreaking loss to cancer. As I recall, you knew her as well and I feel sure she’s looking down and showering you with blessings.
    Hugs, dear friend.

  29. a little late to the party – Taking flight is one of my favorite shorts – Vicki’s ability to tell a full story in so few words has always amazed me – Keep it up!!

  30. Hi, Joelle: and thank you so much for your thoughtful posting about me and your friend. Losing someone to cancer is never fun, or ideal, or wanted. Thankfully, there are those of us who remember them. Bless you!

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