Vicki Batman is here today to talk about her new release from Noble Publishing, I Believe. Say hi! She’s my stalker buddy so I give everyone permission to be her stalker buddy for the day. 🙂 Plus she’s just awesome. Awesome, I tell you. Please note: Your comments may go into moderation but I’ll approve them as fast as I can. 🙂
You can buy the book by clicking here!
Here’s a note from Vicki:
Contest alert!!! For those who post here or on my site, http://vickibatman.blogspot.com, you will be entered into a drawing for a goody box which will include a copy of “I Believe.” Entry closes Wednesday, April 27 at 7 p.m.
When did you know you wanted to be a writer? And how did you get your start?
I guess everyone says this — since way back when. You could say I started writing creatively at age nine when I penned my first poem as extra credit for reading a book. I dabbled with poetry for a long time. But when I devoured Dick Francis mysteries like chocolate, my husband asked me why I liked them so. I confessed, “I wish I could write like him.” It took me twenty years to try (thanks to a good friend who jump-started me with my first manuscript).
Where do you find your inspiration?
This is sooo funny. Some places you would not believe–like walking through our closet and my sight zeroing in on Handsome’s colorful ties. Or a passing fire truck. Or a Dear John letter (yes, I got one). My grandmother’s tomato cake recipe. I’ve also looked at pictures and heard people say things which made me stop, and my head go cha-ching!
What is the one writer’s tool you can’t live without?
Tool? One? Hmmm. I love a good thesaurus. A GOOD critique, too, one that pushes me to the next level.
How many words/pages do you do in a day/week/month? And how do you keep yourself motivated to do them?
Every day is very different. I don’t have official deadlines; yet, I do treat my writing like a job. I work out, clean up, and sit down until a lunch break, then back until four or five-ish. I love what I’m doing; so I don’t have a motivation problem.
Whose work has influenced you the most?
I have favorite authors and read everything they have written: Janet Evanovich (for her wacky humor); Dick Francis (sigh); Linda Howard (sigh); Mary Stewart (sweet romances with action!); Emilie Loring (sweet, too). I’d save all of those if the house was on fire…and the cats. Lots of thrillers, historicals….
This month is the release of your novella, “I Believe,” from Noble Publishing. Where did you get the idea for that?
A dream– I’m not kidding!!! At RWA I roomed with Elizabeth Essex. I woke up and said, “I had a dream,” blah-blah-blah, and repeated a poem. She threw a pen and notebook at me, and said to write it down. I did. (Thanks, Ms. Essex!)
I’m a pantser and put stuff on the computer. Then I flesh, rearrange, edit, add, and finally, I have a product worth critiquing. After that, back to work to take it to the next level.
Tell us a little about the book. How about a blurb?
“I Believe,” a 13,400 word sexy, magical novella, written in first person POV.
Allie deeply desires what her sister and cousins have–the man of their dreams. And they assure her she can…if she’s willing to believe. When her sister shares their grandmother’s spell for conjuring her own true love, Allie’s deeply conflicted. After all, magic is a risky business. A woman died when a potion went wrong. Did she want to mess with magic, knowing it might not work? Only the outcome will tell….
“I Believe” explores what happens when someone is so desperate, she’ll do anything to–and quite possibly will–find true happiness.
I know you’re also published in short fiction. Do you plan to continue with that? Or transition to novels?
I LOVE writing romantic shorts. I’ve had fourteen short stories published and would LOVE to sell more. I think I’m ADD in my writing because I like the satisfaction of finishing quicker than a book. And writing shorts fits my schedule. So I’ll keep doing shorts for now. (My biggest regret is I won’t be considered RWA PAN if I only pen shorts.)
I’ve written three manuscripts, but haven’t sold those–as yet. Two are about a girl who takes temporary jobs and gets into trouble. LOL. One day… 🙂
What other things are you working on?
I’m working on several more short stories. I open a word doc and jot down *things* when they hit my head. That away, I don’t forget and always have an idea to develop.
If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?
This is sooo funny. Just the other day, I told a friend I’d love to work at World Market. I’ve had lots of retail jobs. I like the satisfaction of merchandise moving off the shelves, of new merchandise coming in, of helping a customer find what they are searching for. OR I’d probably have my own store. OR design handbags (big surprise-lolol). I ADORE handbags.
What’s your favorite genre to read? What’s your favorite genre to write?
I read just about anything. Honest. Except for vampires and other-worldly goodies. And I finish everything I read, too. I figure I can learn from a bad book just as well as from a good book. I’m a born-and-bred Nancy Drew girl, so probably lean toward mysteries, thrillers, romantic suspense. I read contemporary, chicklit, and historical, too.
My manuscripts are sorta like chicklit — pardonez moi: contemporary women’s fiction — with suspense elements. I tend to write in first person, which most people say is chicklit-style.
I say my shorts are fun, humorous, and sweet. My novella is quite different–very, very sexy (makes my girl parts steam!) with magic tossed in.
Find me at: http://vickibatman.blogspot.com and friend Vicki Batman on Facebook.
Thanks so much stalker buddy for having me!!!!
Excerpt of I Believe:
Loneliness is a four-letter word.
And I’d been lonely far too long.
June—the time of year for summer, picnics, baseball. And weddings. My cousins, my sister, and I had gathered in Bitsy’s living room for the monthly meeting of the Single-teeners Club, the one we’d begun when we were fancy-free, out-on-the-town gals. Cheerfulness radiated from the girls like moonbeams in a sickening, sticky-sweet way.
I knew why: Everyone had found her beloved, her mate. Her happily ever after.
But not me.
As if reading my thoughts, my sister Paige frowned my way, then at her knitting project. “Allie Palmer, it’s time you found a man.”
“A man?” I snorted. “The good ones are hiding. You three got the only decent guys in the whole universe, and I’m stuck with alien, delivery man Jeffrey Carpenter, who persists in making goo-goo eyes at me while I’m working hard on Sweet Style’s new wedding campaign. His “aw-shucks” manner is so corny. The fashion police should arrest him for those plaid shirts.”
“Here we go again. He can’t be that bad.” With a click-click of her knitting needles, Martha, Bitsy’s sister, said, “You need to get royally screwed.”
“Martha! If our mothers heard you, you’d be dead. Served up like Sunday fried chicken.”
Martha shrugged. “They aren’t here—”
Bitsy looped yarn around a needle. “Praise the Lord.”
I frowned. Since when did the Single-teeners become the Knitty Witties? I was without a knitting project, leaving me feeling left out of this club, too. “Where did you get the idea I needed a man? For sex?” I huffed. “Men aren’t necessarily a requirement. Just ask my best friend, Alex, my vibrator.”
“You don’t have a vibrator. If anyone would know, I would,” Paige said. “You’re too picky.”
“Yeah, picky,” Bitsy said. “Men fall at your feet, even when you treat them like slime balls. And still they come back for more. Go figure.”
“I. Am. Not. Picky.” My eyes rolled ceiling-ward. “I followed Single-teeners’s rules. Remember our standards? Doctors. Lawyers. Accountants. Not delivery men-slash-box company owners.”
“Those standards go beyond club requirements.” Paige clicked a stitch counter. “Picking boogers from noses . . . .” She snapped her finger in the universal flipped-off gesture. “Gone.”
Bitsy perked up. “Moustache and/or beard?”
Snap went Martha. “Gone.”
“Zip-up dress shoes—”
“Okay!” I flashed my palms their way. “Point taken, except for nose picking. Did you ever stop to think maybe nothing jived between those bozos and me? No chemistry? That’s what a successful relationship needs, as you well know.”
Paige resumed knitting. A small, white bootie dangled from the needles. “The only chemistry you’re familiar with is the one you almost flunked in high school.”
“So chemistry wasn’t my favorite subject, Miss I-do-everything-perfectly. You’re talking about the wrong kind, anyway. And I have more dating under my belt than you ever had.” I tossed my hands skyward. “I don’t know what else to do. Post a want ad on Facebook or Craigslist? Wave a magic wand?”
A hush cloaked the room. Paige’s project fell to her lap. “Did Allie say magic?”
“She did.” Bitsy nodded. “I heard her.”
Pausing her knitting, Martha bobbed her head vigorously. “Me, too.”
This conversation was going nowhere except down the Port-A-Potty. But as I sat there and thoughts passed through what little brains my dad teased I had, I noticed the girls shared a distinct look, like they knew something I didn’t. Each lifted one brow, a shoulder raised in a bare shrug, as if they were communicating through . . . telepathy.
Good morning, Michelle. Thank you so much for having me.
Congrats on the new release! I love the novella format.
Thank you, Devon. Shorts are so much fun!
Vicki, I’m so excited for you. I can’t wait to read I Believe. You know I love your short stories. If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t be writing for the Trues, so I owe you. I love the cover for I Believe. I wish you lots of sales. The story sounds really good. Anything involving magic is fun.
Thanks, Cara! Thank you for loving my work, too.
I love how life brings people together. Thanks to RWA, we became friends. OUR lives are better for knowing each other.
I’m so glad you like the cover! It’s kinda different from those sweet trues.
Love the excerpt, Vicki. And major congrats on your release day. I can only imagine your excitement. Can you post the link to download the novella?
Hi, Liz!!! Thanks for partying with me today. Soon, we get to party over your book.
Find “I Believe” at http://www.nobleromance.com.
Hey, PP, so happy, happy for you!!! Have been looking forward to seeing the release of this novella. HAPPY RELEASE DAY!
Loved the excerpt. Hopefully you’re feeling better, to and can enjoy all the exciting things to come. Again, congratulations.
I’m so glad you stopped by, PP Kathy. This is such a fun day! I’m happy every time I sell.
I’m doing great, too. Let the fun begin!
Makes sense to me, Vicki, that you’ve got flames on your cover because your career has been on FIE-AH! Congrats on the release. Must feel sooooo good to see your name on the cover!
Vicki,
I’m soooo excited for you!! I can’t wait to read I Believe.
We missed you Saturday.
What a fun story! Congratulations, Vicki.
Vicki! Loved the excerpt, can’t wait to read it. Rock on, Girl!
Geri
good morning ladies!!
Writing short and interesting stories is a gift above all others and you certainly have that gift!! Every one of your shorts has always been an entertaining read. This longer story is all the more delicious for it.
What a tantalizing excerpt! I can’t wait to read the rest. ;~)
I’m with you about writing shorts, Vicki. I just completed a full length novel, and I feel completely wrung out. When I finish a short story, I’m exhilarated and ready to jump right in and start another. :~)
OH MY GOSH! We could work at World Market together! I love that store and have to travel 100 miles to get to one.
Congratulations on your book release! I wish you lots of success with this and future sales (because there WILL be more).
Man, I go get beautiful and I find all these wonderful posts when I get back.
Sally–FIE-AH! It’s AWESOME to have my name on the cover. Thanks, PP.
I missed you, too, Angela. Something major made me miss DARA; otherwise, I’m always there. Happy reading and let me know!
From you, Lori, words I cherish. oxoxoxo
Thank you, Geri. Let’s all rock on!
Marilyn! This is so great. We would rip World Market’s sales if we worked there!
Thank you for thinking of me. Your class helped me so much. I BELIEVE — lol — there’s more in store for both of us.
oxox
I just downloaded ‘I Believe.’
It’s so easy! It only took a couple of minutes and now I have it!
“I believe” I will go order the book right now! : ) Can’t wait to read it, Vicki!
Major Congrats, Vicki! What an exciting day for you. Love the excerpt. Can’t wait to read it.
Great, Angela! Let me know what you think–biting nails over here. lol
I Believe — lol — Diane, you’ll like it. I can’t wait to read yours, too.
Hi Vicki,
Fun interview and I’m curious about the story with the tomato soup cake! I LOVE it and know alot of people haven’t ever heard of it. But, it’s total yum! I’m with you on the thesaurus as well. ^5 Congratulations on the release of, “I Believe.” You’re such a positive inspiration, and I wish you every success!
Hi, Diana. Happy tomato cake to you! A lot of people haven’t heard of it, but my grandmother made it every Thanksgiving. And is it ever so yummy.
A thesaurus is a BIG must for me. I have some big ones by my desk and the fantastic ones on line.
You are an inspiration, too. oxoxox
Congratulations on your book release, Vicki! You sound a lot like me with your writing schedule. I don’t work outside of the home and can write during the day whenever I want after I take the kids to school. I have no problem “getting motivated” and love writing and editing both. Good luck in your career which sounds like it’s going in a fantastic direction!
Patti
Thank you so much, Patti, for commenting today. I began writing when my youngest began high school. I crammed in a few moments here and there, lots of late nights, etc. I’ve always been a huge volunteer at church, school, and at the library. This is my fourteenth year to serve on the library board.
Good luck to you!
Congrats Vicki on the new release. It sounds wonderful. I love books with magic as them.
And Congratulations to you, Cyndi!!! on your sale.
I never thought I’d write a magical and voila! here it is. Somehow this story just had to be told. And there’s a special secret about the chant.:)
Hi Vicki and Michelle!
Vicki, CONGRATULATIONS on your publication! We must celebrate at RWA!
How long did it take you to write the novella? My husband is always telling me if I’d stop writing the short stories, I’d have more novels. What do you think?
Hugs and I’m off to buy your story!
Sharon
Sharon Buchbinder
Author, Desire and Deception
Sharon!!! It’s so good you stopped. I’m all for celebrating.
I wrote this almost two years ago. Worked hard until it was ready for critiquing. Got those and worked some more. By January, I’d submitted to another publisher who ultimately, rejected. Then I worked some more. I read about Noble through a fellow True writer and they bought!
Cara Marsi and I’ve talked about how much we like writing shorts. I’ve written 3 novels and although I’ve loved them, I am sick to death of laboring over them. Maybe it is ADD.
I have a fantastic idea for a novel and one friend keeps bugging me to work on it. I will!
Congratulations to you too!!
Wow! I had to take a rest from trying to scroll down to comment but I can certainly understand the buzz. What an engaging artist you are, Vicki. By all these comments it’s obvious others think so as well. I’ll bet everyone is hopeful for that chance to win your new release, it sounds amazing. Congrats and thank you for this enjoyable post.
Thank you so much, Chris K, for stopping by. Your fantastic critiques have helped me. I get all squishy wishy with love over my shorts.
Barbara! I know!! Shorts are energizing. I have one on the computer that is finished. One almost finished. And another in development. Plus, ideas for at least eight more. That is fun!
I’d never thought I would write short.
Hi, PP Pam Stone. I “think” it is a tantalizing excerpt. ‘course you’ve heard about it for a while. lol Thanks for your support. oxoxox
Hello, Karen. Thank you for the “engaging artist” compliment. It is my greatest wish to write really, really well. Hopefully — cross those fingers AND toes — I’ve done well.
Vicki, congrats on your release day. I’m heading over to pick up a copy of “I Believe” right now. Yay! 🙂
Big wave to Sheila! Thank you for your support, too. You must let me know what you think. oxoxox
Vicki, congratulations on your release. May you sell many, many copies. I wish I could write short, but once I start a short story, it usually ends up a full-length novel.
Sue! So nice to have you stop. Squee! I’d love to sell many, many copies.
Yeah, the trick to a short is not to write a novel. LOL
Thank you!!!
Hi Vicki!
Congrats onthe release of I Believe! I’ve had the priveldge of being a first reader and LOVED this story!
So Cool to see it out in print! Gorgeous Cover!
PP Juliet! And you helped me so much. And I’m so happy you loved it!
This is one special day for me. Thank you thank you thank you thank you…
Thanks, everyone, for stopping by on Vicki’s release day! Keep those comments coming 🙂
Hi Vicki! Happy release day! Mega congrats. Your cover is beautiful and a short story full of magic and romance is a treat. I hope you write more of them! I Believe sounds like a wonderful story. I look forward to reading it. 😀
Vicki!!! this is fabulous!!! Congrats to you and yes, I must have a copy IF you will sign it for me in New York!!!
Love you!!! Jeanna Thornton (jink)
Great interview, Vicki! Best of luck with your novella! Sounds like a fun read!
Vicki:
So thrilled to see “I BELIEVE” finally released, and thrilled to have been even a little part of your process for writing this story.
But perhaps you can tell me about how I GET your novella – I have a Kindle, but it’s not listed in the Kindle store and I don’t want to miss getting this title!
Can I order it directly from Noble Publishing?
Congrats, congrats, and million times congrats on your release day!
Misty, I am thrilled you popped by. After you read it, let me know!
Absolutely, Jink! Can’t wait to see you in NYC.
Hi, Susan. I believe–I’m so set up here, lol–is fun. Try it and let me know.
Ms. Essex! The woman who threw the pen and pad at me and I’m forever grateful. It should show in the Kindle store in a couple of days. oxox
Hi Vicki,
Nice interview and the excerpt was great! I love anything paranormal. Glad to hear I can get it on my Kindle soon.
Good luck,
Debbie
Thank you, Debbie. What a pretty name you have! I hope you enjoy the story, too.
Congrats on the release, Vicki! Can’t wait to read this one.
Thank you so much for your support, Aileen! My greatest hope is that you like it.
Congrats, sis! Can’t wait to read your book.
😉 Hi Vickie,
I just downloaded my copy and you are next in line for me to read. I love your short stories, so I can’t wait to read this one. We missed you Saturday!! Congratulations on a major milestone in your career. May you have many, many more sales.
Sylvia
Thanks, Sissie, for commenting. Long time coming.
Hi!!!! Sylvia!!! I’m so happy you bought a copy and let me know if you like it (I expect the truth from a fellow PP gal). I missed you too. And I am definitely betting on many more sales for you too.
Thank you, Michelle, for this fabulous opportunity. I had a blast. I’ll check back tomorrow in case I missed someone. In the meantime, Happy Reading, Happy Writing, and Happy Launch Day!
Vicki
I just finished reading ‘I Believe’ and I LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT!!
The characters are wonderful and the story is super HOT and romantic.
It’s fabulous!
Vicki,
Congrats on your release. What a hot and steamy cover! Hot and steamy words, too, LOL! Thanks for sharing your story, it’s great inspiration. Keep up the great work. 😀 Joya
Hi Vicki!
Just bought I believe from Noble’s site. I can’t wait to read it. Are you going to be on Amazon etc also?
Congrats on the release!
Kendall
Wow, Angela! Thank you so much!!! Tell everyone for me–okay?
Hi, Joya! Who knew I could do hot and steamy after writing all the sweet stuff for the Trues?
Kendall: Thank you for your support. It’s supposed to be released in many places.
How many “congrats!” can you squeeze into one little post? For you, dear Vicki, this may go on for days! Loved the excerpt… By the way, may I have your permission to use: “Yeah, the trick to a short is not to write a novel.” I know many who would prosper by those simple words of wisdom.
=)
Jodi
Hi, Vickie,
Glad to see you make the big time. Maybe a story in the slick paper women’s magazines will be next. Not that selling 14 confessions and a novella isn’t really something to be proud of. I tried a confession story and got rejected. I, too am curious about the tomato cake. I inherited a tomato soup cake recipe from my mother, but it doesn’t taste like tomato soup.
Carolyn Williamson
Hi, Jodi. Please, quote that anytime. LOL. Thank you so much for posting and staying in touch.
Carolyn! It is so nice to have you. Funny you talk about rejection because some of the True stories (I don’t really write confessional ones) were rejected elsewhere. And right on, the tomato cake doesn’t taste like soup at all.
I’m about to draw a winner and as soon as I hear back from whomever – grin – I’ll post here and on my blog. Thank you all for participating in Launch Day!!!
“I Believe” launch day winner is…… Kathy Sullivan.
I truly appreciate Michelle for having me and all of you who posted, wished me well, bought the novella and have already read it!
Happy writing to all of you.