tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post8982501267931598170..comments2024-03-28T00:48:35.441-05:00Comments on .@VickiBatman: Author Interview: Nancy HaddockVicki Batman, sassy writerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13846704675542248648noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-47226635494275872732008-03-15T22:20:00.000-05:002008-03-15T22:20:00.000-05:00Hi, Beth!Don't you just love Scriptscene! I get m...Hi, Beth!<BR/><BR/>Don't you just love Scriptscene! I get my novel and screenwriting fixes there! :)<BR/><BR/>Persevere, Beth, and keep having FUN with writing!!<BR/><BR/>And thank you so much for stopping by!Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10019662451227188065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-69553351079055509142008-03-15T15:22:00.000-05:002008-03-15T15:22:00.000-05:00Thanks Nancy for showing us what a persevering wri...Thanks Nancy for showing us what a persevering writing looks like! I'm mostly a lurker on scriptscene while I fiddle with homemade movies and dream about putting my current WIP into movie form. Got to finish the thing first! <BR/><BR/>--Beth Barany, writer, teacher, coach<BR/>www.overcomewritersblock.comBeth Baranyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09292616364842442812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-10111548876573411162008-03-15T14:46:00.000-05:002008-03-15T14:46:00.000-05:00Worthy, Vicki? We're all worthy, and it has been M...Worthy, Vicki? We're all worthy, and it has been MY honor to be with YOU! This was great fun ... even if I did spill my, er, guts, more than I had imagined! :))<BR/><BR/>Light, Everyone, and Happy St. Patrick's Day!<BR/><BR/>NancyNancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10019662451227188065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-4323457186708816132008-03-15T12:14:00.000-05:002008-03-15T12:14:00.000-05:00Gosh, Nancy, you are so hilarious! I have to shave...Gosh, Nancy, you are so hilarious! I have to shave my legs because my gorgeous male yoga instructor comes around and repositions me and if I knew he touched stubble....EEEK!<BR/><BR/>But that's not my secret. Is is I was crowned Miss Oak Lawn Moped? No. Or me running to rescue the guy next door, or a guy in a car crash? No. Is it me taking the Citizen's Police Academy? No. This one will have to wait, girlfriend.<BR/><BR/>Thank you so much, Nancy, for the interview. I am honored you felt me worthy. <BR/><BR/>So everyone go out and get La Vida Vampire. I'll be in line for my copy at DID (save me one, pretty please).<BR/><BR/>La Vida Nancy!Vicki Batman, sassy writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13846704675542248648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-21087668074153724232008-03-15T11:31:00.000-05:002008-03-15T11:31:00.000-05:00Vicki, we ALL want to hear your secret! Dish, darl...Vicki, we ALL want to hear your secret! Dish, darlin'!<BR/><BR/>My fill-in-the-blank? Oh, man, this is hard! (Yes, I did whine like this in school.)<BR/><BR/>Your ideal fictional hero would think you gorgeous if you: stopped shaving my legs. (Why do I hate that personal maintenance chore?)<BR/><BR/>Three things most people don't know about me?<BR/><BR/>One, I've been to Vlad the Impaler's castle. (Some of it was creepy, some wasn't.)<BR/><BR/>Two, also in Romania, I drank myself under the table on four tiny sips of homemade plum wine. (This story has to be told in person to get the full picture.)<BR/><BR/>Three, I've looked down the barrel of a gun, pulled on me by a Brinks guard. (And, hey, I only asked for a couple of bucks! Geez.)<BR/><BR/>And finally, how do you feel about cake?<BR/><BR/>I love cake! Love the texture on my tongue, and oooooh, the icing!<BR/><BR/>Uh, excuse me while I go troll the kitchen. That would be a fourth thing only some people know about me. I have a whole mouthful of sweet tooth!Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10019662451227188065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-78174350832509034652008-03-15T10:53:00.000-05:002008-03-15T10:53:00.000-05:00Blushing, Kathy! I'm also grateful the universe br...Blushing, Kathy! I'm also grateful the universe brought us together, and I thank you for stopping by with such nice things to say!<BR/><BR/>Kathy is also a newly sold author. I've read her work, and it's terrific!Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10019662451227188065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-77518807605098762042008-03-15T10:47:00.000-05:002008-03-15T10:47:00.000-05:00Hi Deanna!Friends, Deanna is a novelist and workin...Hi Deanna!<BR/><BR/>Friends, Deanna is a novelist and working screenwriter, and a fabulous screenwriting teacher!<BR/><BR/>How is my publisher is positioning La Vida Vampire? Is it a crossover teen/adult read?<BR/><BR/>The publisher was labeling it women's fiction at one time, but it's now called a paranormal romance and will be shelved that way. It could be read by older teens - there is one consummated love scene in the book - but it's not positioned as a crossover per se.<BR/><BR/>How have I been reaching out to current and future readers? Another super question! The answer is that I've concentrated on promo in three ways.<BR/><BR/>First, I had a "vision" early on about promoting the book with surfboard key chains carrying a tag with the phrase "Surf's Up in La Vida Vampire" along with critical release info. I have done that, and sent them primarily to writer conferences and retreats. They've been well-received, and that's been the main thrust of promo other than an ad in Romance Sells, and a few other print ads in chapter-supported publications.<BR/><BR/>The second way was to redesign my web site. I had a fun, 2-page, very sixties-surfer site, but the book cover - gorgeous as it is! - didn't match the energy of the web site. So I revamped with the help of my awesome designer, toned down the colors some, and expanded the site. It's still fun, I think, but the colors and pix and overall energy fold in better with the cover art energy.<BR/><BR/>The third way I've reached out - I hope - is to accept invitations to blog that my generous friends have extended. It may not be obvious, but I'm a blog-phobe. Really. Each time I even answer questions, I'm shaking in my flip flops! I'm more comfortable than I was, again, thanks to friends like Vicki who have made it so easy, but blogging will never be my first love. :))<BR/><BR/>Of course, there's doing book signings, connecting via My Space and Facebook and a few other online communities, but I haven't spent much time figuring out all the ways to reach folks that way. Frankly, I've been too busy working on book 2! :))Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10019662451227188065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-45331721573855057082008-03-15T10:17:00.000-05:002008-03-15T10:17:00.000-05:00Hi, Kath. Thank you for visiting with Nancy and me...Hi, Kath. Thank you for visiting with Nancy and me. You are absolutely right, she's the bomb.<BR/><BR/>One day, I'll tell her my secret. VBVicki Batman, sassy writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13846704675542248648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-68243562184306146702008-03-15T09:23:00.000-05:002008-03-15T09:23:00.000-05:00Helloooo Nancy! Sorry to chime in late - been havi...Helloooo Nancy! Sorry to chime in late - been having computer issues. <BR/><BR/>First let me say that Nancy was one of my very first cyber-writing friends, as well as the first to shed light on my publishing path. But what Nancy offered was more than just writing knowledge. Nancy always ran to the rescue with inspiration to keep my own writing buzz going. <BR/><BR/>Her advice was, and is, brilliant. She's a strong paver in the path to my success. I'll always be grateful that the universe brought us together.<BR/><BR/>SHE'S THE BOMB!!!Kath Calarcohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04286836397248059317noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-85014393301079233742008-03-15T08:14:00.000-05:002008-03-15T08:14:00.000-05:00I want to thank Jessica, Jenn and Deanna for stopp...I want to thank Jessica, Jenn and Deanna for stopping by and visiting with Nancy and me. <BR/><BR/>It's our last day of my interview with Nancy. I've truly enjoyed having you here.<BR/><BR/>So...Fill in this blank: Your ideal fictional hero would think you gorgeous if you ________________.<BR/><BR/>Can you share three things most people don't know about you?<BR/><BR/>And finally, how do you feel about cake?Vicki Batman, sassy writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13846704675542248648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-2242079789750450602008-03-15T05:33:00.000-05:002008-03-15T05:33:00.000-05:00Hey, Nancy,Thanks for sharing your journey! I'd lo...Hey, Nancy,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for sharing your journey! I'd love to hear about how your publisher is positioning La Vida Vampire. Is it a crossover teen/adult read? How have you been reaching out to your current and future readers?<BR/><BR/>--Deanna<BR/>http://www.deannacarlyle.comAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-62433515905689375682008-03-14T19:21:00.000-05:002008-03-14T19:21:00.000-05:00BIG THING I FORGOT!Sorry for the all caps, but I f...BIG THING I FORGOT!<BR/><BR/>Sorry for the all caps, but I forgot to let everyone know I'm running a March-April contest on my website. Go to the Beach Party page and read the center section - Where's Cesca? - to the end. Just make your guesses and e-mail them to me!<BR/><BR/>I'm giving away two copies of La Vida for the contest!<BR/><BR/>End of commercial. :))Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10019662451227188065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-54014033982705522102008-03-14T18:48:00.000-05:002008-03-14T18:48:00.000-05:00Hi, Jenn!Everyone, Jenn was also a Golden Heart wi...Hi, Jenn!<BR/><BR/>Everyone, Jenn was also a Golden Heart winner last year! Yippee, Jenn!<BR/><BR/>You asked: Nancy, when you're feeling uninspired to work (if that ever happens!) what are your top 3 things to rev up your energy again??<BR/><BR/>Another great question! I do have my uninspired days, and most of the time I try to just push through them. But one thing I'm better at now is to see if I can identify why I'm feeling uninspired. Stress, physical exhaustion, having other things on the agenda, and physical symptoms such as a sinus attack can sidetrack me.<BR/><BR/>If I can ID the issue, then I do something about it - take a sinus pill, knock two big things off my to-do list, take a walk to get the body revved, or have a Starbucks. :) If I discover that I'm simply asea about what comes next, I sit down with the characters, replay the last scenes with them, and see if that doesn't shake things loose.<BR/><BR/>Another technique is to change projects. If I'm stuck on one book, I switch to another, or to a screenplay.<BR/><BR/>If all else fails, I give myself a few hours to refill the well, or I clean. Me, clean? I know, but the drudge work has me running for the computer. :))Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10019662451227188065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-15512009034201955782008-03-14T15:19:00.000-05:002008-03-14T15:19:00.000-05:00Nancy, when you're feeling uninspired to work (if ...Nancy, when you're feeling uninspired to work (if that ever happens!) what are your top 3 things to rev up your energy again??<BR/><BR/>Thanks and I cannot wait to read La Vida!<BR/><BR/>JennJennifer McGowanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05274109818038832604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-45515978120574606492008-03-14T13:46:00.000-05:002008-03-14T13:46:00.000-05:00Vicki said: Golly, Nancy, "teeth sweat."Yup. Saber...Vicki said: Golly, Nancy, "teeth sweat."<BR/><BR/>Yup. Saber is a hottie! :))Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10019662451227188065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-34244986169246722242008-03-14T13:44:00.000-05:002008-03-14T13:44:00.000-05:00Hi Jessica! Thank you for stopping by, and for you...Hi Jessica! Thank you for stopping by, and for your sweet compliments!<BR/><BR/>You wrote: You mentioned educating yourself about the business - may I ask, what are some of the sources that most helped you in this part of your writing education?<BR/><BR/>The best source is to listen to published authors talk about the business. They have insights about all sorts of things - from contract clauses to cover art to doing revisions.<BR/><BR/>Another good way to educate oneself is to read guest blogs by authors, agents, and the occasional editor. You can pick up tips on the courtesies of submitting, how to write a query letter, how to learn from contest comments - the possibilities are pretty much endless.<BR/><BR/>Attending RWA chapter meetings and other writer group meetings was also incredibly valuable.<BR/><BR/>One of the things I didn't know until after I'd sold was that most books are released on a Tuesday. Which Tuesday of the month varies by publisher, but I started paying attention to this and it's true!<BR/><BR/>Another new bit of information I picked up - one CJ Lynons (LIFELINES) and others talk about - is that buying a book in the first 10 days to two weeks of its release is critical for the author. Publishers watch those numbers the way studios track the numbers of a new movie. If a film does well in the first two weekends, they probably have at least a modest hit. The comparison to books isn't exact, of course, but it is similar.<BR/><BR/>I have so much more to learn, but I'm extremely grateful that I paid as much attention to the business of publishing as well as the craft of writing.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10019662451227188065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-70312480923256139542008-03-14T11:42:00.000-05:002008-03-14T11:42:00.000-05:00What is my writing day like?Depends on the day. Fo...What is my writing day like?<BR/><BR/>Depends on the day. For good or bad, I tend to get more done from about 11 at night until 2 or later in the morning. (Vampire jokes, anyone?) But, seriously, because my office is downstairs where the kitchen is, and because there are no doors on any of the downstairs rooms, I can be easily distracted by the phone ringing, or my dear hubby going up and down the stairs to and from his office, etc.<BR/><BR/>To combat that, I play nature sounds CDs, and put on noise-blocking earphones. Between the two that helps cut distractions.<BR/><BR/>Generally, I end each writing session with notes about what comes next so I have a jump start. I may write two to three hours, break, then go back for another session. Have dinner, and write again until I come to a stopping place. A lot depends on what else the day holds.<BR/><BR/>My bugaboo can be e-mail. I've begun to set a timer, starting with 30 minutes. If I have things that absolutely need attention, I stretch to an hour. Then I get to go out to play with Cesca and the gang. :)Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10019662451227188065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-72656398576273520612008-03-14T11:31:00.000-05:002008-03-14T11:31:00.000-05:00Vicki asked: You mentioned you liked writing stori...Vicki asked: You mentioned you liked writing stories with comedic flair (me, too); did that flair show in this book?<BR/><BR/>The comedic flavor is in the book, although the credit for most of the humor goes to Cesca. The set up of having a vampire who has Old World manners and morals coming "out of the box" to a whole new century has the comic appeal of a fish out of water. That's where I started, but Cesca took over from there.<BR/><BR/>Her take on things is fun because she's not jaded and world-weary. She'll do and say things that crack me up as I'm writing, like in some of her exchanges with Saber.<BR/><BR/>There's a scene that hasn't made it to a book yet about the first time Maggie takes her to buy a swimsuit. It may make it into the second book in revisions. I'll have to see if it works.<BR/><BR/>Which brings me to this. I am careful not to use a gag for the gag's sake. Everything has to move the story and/ or develop the characters.<BR/><BR/>But then we know that, right?!Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10019662451227188065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-80559074123400698782008-03-14T11:30:00.000-05:002008-03-14T11:30:00.000-05:00Golly, Nancy, "teeth sweat."Golly, Nancy, "teeth sweat."Vicki Batman, sassy writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13846704675542248648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-67153015609311526422008-03-14T11:12:00.000-05:002008-03-14T11:12:00.000-05:00Hi All!Vicki, thank you for the prompt to tell you...Hi All!<BR/><BR/>Vicki, thank you for the prompt to tell you about the book! :)<BR/><BR/>La Vida Vampire tells the story of Cesca Marinelli, a young psychic woman, born in 1780 and turned vamp in 1800 by the head vampire who wanted to harness her psychic powers for himself. In 1803, the same vampire punishes Cesca by locking her in his own coffin in the small basement under his house outside the gates of St. Augustine.<BR/><BR/>When the villagers burn out the vamps, Cesca is stranded and remains underground until she's discovered during the restoration of a Victorian home.<BR/><BR/>And now the fun starts! :) Vamps are a protected species, and with the help of her new friend Maggie, the part day-walker Cesca gets up to speed with modern life. She surfs, plays bridge, and takes a job as a ghost tour guide, all in pursuit of having a normal afterlife.<BR/><BR/>Everything is rosy until one of the tourists is murdered, and Cesca is a suspect. Enter Deke Saber, a former creature hunter who is now a special investigator.<BR/><BR/>Cesca confounds Saber and challenges his view of vampires. Saber makes Cesca's teeth sweat. Together they must find the real killer before Cesca is the next victim.Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10019662451227188065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-47987592122928027812008-03-14T09:16:00.000-05:002008-03-14T09:16:00.000-05:00Vicki and All,I'll happily tell you about La Vida ...Vicki and All,<BR/><BR/>I'll happily tell you about La Vida Vampire and answer the other great questions in a minute.<BR/><BR/>For now, I want to remind everyone that it's the first anniversary of Barbara Vey's Beyond Her Book blog on the Publisher's Weekly site. Pop in and wish her a happy anniversary at<BR/>http://www.publishersweekly.com/blog/880000288.html<BR/><BR/>See you in a bit!Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10019662451227188065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-60834304339910395422008-03-14T08:43:00.000-05:002008-03-14T08:43:00.000-05:00Hi Nancy, I have already learned so much from you ...Hi Nancy, <BR/><BR/>I have already learned so much from you and your answers here are frosting on the cake! I am so happy for you and La Vida and can't wait to read the whole book. You mentioned educating yourself about the business - may I ask, what are some of the sources that most helped you in this part of your writing education? <BR/><BR/>Congrats on finishing the draft of book 2! I am so proud of and happy for you! <BR/>JessicaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-50949557034157068562008-03-14T08:38:00.000-05:002008-03-14T08:38:00.000-05:00Hi Helen! How good it is to see you!Helen is one o...Hi Helen! How good it is to see you!<BR/><BR/>Helen is one of the two finalists in the American Title Contest this year! Woo-hoo!<BR/><BR/>I do recommend trying first person. You may find it works for the story, you may find it doesn't. Even if it doesn't, it can give you a different perspective on how your character sees things. Let you go a bit deeper into your character's POV. If you switch back to third person, you'll take that deeper experience with you!<BR/><BR/>Thank you so much for dropping by!Nancyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10019662451227188065noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-87379567412011654052008-03-14T07:46:00.000-05:002008-03-14T07:46:00.000-05:00Hi to Edie - we've seen each other on line I bet. ...Hi to Edie - we've seen each other on line I bet. Gena - I'll stop by at the DID literacy signing and we can finally meet! Kay L - thank you for stopping by. Kay T - As always, you're the best. Neringa - I'm looking forward to getting to know you. Thanks for supporting Nancy. Beth - How great to have you here. I took a class from you last year. Helen - thank you, too, for commenting. I write first person and find it to be a natural extension. Good luck! Thanks, Suz, for the lovely comments.Vicki Batman, sassy writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13846704675542248648noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8535414384309157179.post-38178214895524016302008-03-14T07:43:00.000-05:002008-03-14T07:43:00.000-05:00Nancy, you have lots of fans out there - how cool!...Nancy, you have lots of fans out there - how cool!<BR/><BR/>So why don't you tell us about La Vida Vampire. <BR/><BR/>You mentioned you liked writing stories with comedic flair (me, too); did that flair show in this book?<BR/><BR/>What is your writing day like?Vicki Batman, sassy writerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13846704675542248648noreply@blogger.com