Guest Author Day with Vicki Batman

Welcome to my Reading Nook, Vicki Batman. Please make yourself at home and let my cabana boys/girls get you a drink.

Comfortable? Wonderful. Now let’s get started.

What is your writing process? Do you outline, fly by the seat of your pants or a combination of both? I say both and here's why: we know romance books have some basics-beginning, middle, black moment, hea. Those are in my head, like a goal. I use pantsing to get there.

What did you do before you were a writer? Do you write full time?  My past is filled with an assortment of jobs, but mostly, I was a mom. I do write full time.

If you were going to cast the hero(s) of your book, what actor would get the part? I haven't a clue!

I know you're not supposed to show favoritism but who's been your favorite character to write? I've sold a lot of short fiction to the Trues (Love, Romance, Confession) and my favorite is a geeky cop, Witless (Webber) Whitlock,  from "Drive My Car." What the hero and heroine do to get together is hilarious.

I'm also fond of Daniel from a story not-yet-sold, "Raving Beauty."

Do you have a favorite TV show you can't miss? Once Upon a Time, I didn't miss Homicide or Scrubs. Now, I make sure to watch Longmire.

If you could date any character from any book, who would it be and why-no it doesn't have to be from your books? I'm fond of the sheriff from Julia Spencer Fleming mysteries. Let's just say he's near my age and I like how he pinches the bridge of his nose. Lol

Please share with us some juicy details about your latest release. "Store Wars" is about Janie and her long-time ex, Fletcher. Janie's heart's desire is to open her own store; however, her old love is back in town and he's running the competition's business.

What was your inspiration behind this book? Kinda silly, really. I was on a girlfriend weekend in the Strand District in Galveston. At one point, I crossed the street and noticed how there were tourist shops lining both sides of the road. My head went bing!

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for? I used to die for Dick Francis, the mystery writer. Now, I snag Sophie Kinsella, Janet Evanovich, Tess Gerrittsen, and Sue Grafton.

Do you listen to music while you write? If so what are your favorites Artists and or albums? I do listen, but usually to music without words. The words get in my head and crowd my thoughts. I turn to Spanish and Classical guitar--John Williams, David Russell, Nova Menco, Ottmar Liebert. I probably have 400 tunes.

If you could go any place in the world and to any time period, what place time would you choose to visit? I'm into the present day and like visiting most any place.

What is your favorite super power and why do you want it? BATMAN, for obvious reasons and for the toys.

If you could write a warning label for yourself as a person or an author, what would it say? Danger! Vicki Batman is very sassy and funny.

Do you have any guilty pleasures? I adore a good champagne cocktail. Chocolate. Cake!

Teaser Excerpt from Store Wars by Vicki Batman

contemporary romance short fiction

MuseItUp Publishing

Buy 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

Janie's heart's desire is to open her own store, but that could be thwarted when her old love comes back to town and he's running the competition's business.

Excerpt:

          "This stuff is crap." I ran a finger along the edge of a faux-finished table parked inside the store's entryway, flicking more than a hint of dust from my fingertip. My best girlfriend, Tracy, and I were scoping out the competition in the Sommerville Historic Depot District, one of which was Tejas Souvenirs owned by an old flame's mom. So far, no business we'd visited had measured up. The other stores all looked...tacky touristy.                  

          I walked through to the next section, thoroughly disgusted with what lay before me. This store needed major first aid. No quality merchandise anywhere. The overpowering scents of vanilla and cinnamon from the cheap candles loaded on another table top caused me to have a major sneezing fit.

          Tracy passed a tissue. "Janie, need this?"

          "T'anks." I stuffed the used wad in my pant’s front pocket, praying the urge to let loose again would bypass. "Why in the world is a huge candle display by the front door, assaulting a customer when he-slash-she walks in? I can't be the only one who's allergic. And look..." I pointed to the section at the top of four steps, "room diffusers up there. Another brand of candles over there. And yes, people, let's combine those with scented bath products. A whole lotta stinky people and stinky homes are out there in the big wide world."

          Tracy scribbled notes as I surreptitiously took pictures of the store's contents. "Undoubtedly," she said in a hushed tone. "So what else turns you off?"

          In one corner, imitation leather purses embellished with rhinestone crowns had been stacked on a glass and chrome shelving unit. Cheap, gemstone bracelets decorated a nearby display stand. I pointed to a shirt rack and said in a soft voice, "I'd never wear these clothes."

          With a frown, Tracy cupped her mouth. "Me, neither. They're aimed for the nighttime crowd—if you catch my drift."

          "I do. Yuck." Taking in the whole enchilada, I stopped when I spied the jean-clad backside of a male employee sweeping the floor. God, I hope he hadn't heard us. I steered Tracy aside and whispered, "We'll have no problems with Twinkle Toes succeeding in the Depot District. Even better than the mall."

          "I agree. Let's split up, take mental notes, and meet out front in fifteen minutes."

          I peeled off to the left, and she went to the right. The man cleaning glanced over his shoulder and straightened. "May I help you?"

          Instantly, my body froze like an icicle. It couldn't be— Could it? Fletcher? As in my once upon a time boyfriend, Fletcher Babcock? When had he abandoned the bright lights of Big D and return to Sommerville?

 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: @Vicki Batman

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/vickibatman