Angi: Tell us a little about the inspiration for each of the
stories, Vicki.
Vicki: Thank you for having me at GLIAS, Angi! I’m so happy to
share with everyone my new collection, Just Desserts…and Other Stories. All
these stories are very very short, like 1,000 words and very satisfying. And
what else do they have in common? They are romantic, funny, sweet, and most are
set in small-town Sommerville.
Here’s a blurb about
each story with a side note of what inspired me to write it.
JUST DESSERTS
Love blossoms
in the small town
of Sommerville
in these sweet,
heart-warming short tales filled with fun
and
forever possibilities.
BUG STUFF ~ An accountant unites with his co-worker to battle a
pesky adversary.
A little two-fold. My roommate and I would set glasses over bugs and let
them suffocate. And once a person said, “Can’t squash it. Bug guts…everywhere.”
JUST DESSERTS ~ A political dinner gone disastrous brings together
a reluctant attendee and her handsome seat-mate.
I went to a political function and I’m not kidding about this: an
attendee across the table took the meal from a person who had left the event. I
was in shock.
WITH THIS RING ~ When a wife forgets the all-important little black
dress, the evening turns into something utterly unforgettable.
Handsome and I had returned from one trip and turned around and flew
somewhere later that day. I thought I’d packed a little black dress, only I
hadn’t and made a mad dash to buy another. I’m not good at buying under
pressure.
GOOD GIRLS FINISH FIRST ~ When men friends are challenged to fix
breakfast if they lose a race, one woman leads the pack and discovers finishing
first can lead to romance.
Honestly, I can’t remember how this one came about!!
OUCH ~ Who knew a yoga class would be so dangerous...and romantic?
This is pretty funny. I attended an outdoor yoga class and while
meditating, a goose bit my finger.
MAN THEORY ~ When a geeky co-worker espouses his theory on love, a
friend risks her heart.
Someone I am very close to said, “I have a theory about love.” My head
went bing!!! The story nearly wrote itself.
TOMMY AND THE TEACHER ~ A young boy steals from the school’s book
fair causing interesting possibilities to arise.
Someone I know stole money from the elementary school’s book fair.
(Can’t say anything else cause I’ll be in trouble.)
ABSOLUTELY POSITIVELY LOST ~ Helping a map-challenged young man
find his way is truly serendipitous.
Handsome and I ended our Rhine River cruise in Amsterdam. While
chilling out in a park, I watched a young man looked at a street sign and then
at a piece of paper.
THE LITTLE BIRDIE WHO ~ A new town, a new friend, a new beginning.
Who would have thought a little bird could bring two people together?
Our dogs chased a baby bird into our garage and it became lodged on a
sticky bug trap. Handsome and I had to free it.
CHECK HER OUT ~ It’s a sticky situation, especially between a store
manager and Auntie Caren when her nephew must pay for the gum he stole.
The little girl next door to my parents had gum in her hair and her mom
eased it out with peanut butter.
THIS IS NOT WORKING ~ One of those days at a new job when nothing
is going right, and then the boss steps in.
I’ve always thought Days of the Week panties are hilarious.
VICKI BATMAN has sold
many romantic comedy works to magazines, several publishers, and most recently,
two humorous romantic mysteries. Along the way she has garnered awards and
bestsellers. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Sisters in Crime,
and several writing groups. An avid Jazzerciser. Handbag lover. Mahjong player.
Yoga practitioner. Movie fan. Book devourer. Cat fancier. Best Mom ever. And
adores Handsome Hubby. Most days begin with her hands set to the keyboard and
thinking "What if??"
Happy reading!
CONNECT SOCIALLY
FIND JUST DESERTS
VICKI WANTS TO KNOW: Do you read short stories?