Stardust, Always Interview With Stacey Whitmire

Her story Bare Bones can be found in the Stardust, Always anthology.

What genre do you read?

I usually read within the Fantasy/Fiction genres. My favorite book is Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, followed by Empress (Godspeaker Series) by Karen Miller, and sooo much more; I’ll save you with a list and leave you with my top two highly recommended. I also read creative non-fiction on subjects that interest me, some thrillers, romantics, and YA. Really whatever strikes my fancy at the time.

What genres do you write?

I tend to write in the same genre that I read and yes, that includes the vast range of diversity. But primarily Fantasy/Fiction.

Where else can readers find your work?

Currently, only in Stardust, Always.  :) I have many other pieces that I have been working on over the years, and I think that being a part of Stardust, Always has finally given me the push I needed to believe that people will like my work and that I should publish. Also, the feeling of accomplishment for doing something that I love has overloaded me with excitement and joy. I finally have the fruits of my labor in a physical copy of a book, and I didn’t realize how amazing that would feel. I am, now, a published author. I can say that. It is true. And it is awesome.

What drove you to write for this anthology?

My battle with cancer last year, my grandfather dying of cancer this year, wanting to be a part of something larger and bigger than myself after everything that I have been through. And now that I am still battling cancer, it somehow means even more to me and I am hoping that this book and my story will fill others hearts and souls; help them feel comforted, just like it does me.

 How long have you participated in Nanowrimo and the community?

I started out in Nanowrimo in 2006, the year I graduated high school. However, I have only won Nanowrimo once (I think it was 2007 or 2008). The year I won nano is the year I “plotted.” Every other year, however, I was a pantser. I tend to figure out where the story is going as I write it based off a generalized idea or vision. But I have learned that plotting and having a general idea of the overall story arch actually really helps when stuck/blocked. Unfortunately, I have not participated the last few years due to my circumstances, but I have enjoyed being a part of the community and seeing everyone’s excitement.

Your story- is it part of a larger series or freestanding?

It is freestanding. I specifically wanted to do something different for this anthology and I spent a few weeks wondering what I was going to write. I looked up quotes by David Bowie and Alan Rickman. I thought hard about what I had been through. I thought about cancer and life. I thought: what do I want other people to think about my story after they have finished reading it? Once I had that thought, I knew what I was writing. I knew it had to be about the human condition. How fragile, how strong, how crazy, we all are. One of my Beta Reader feedbacks—that absolutely made my day—was when they described my story as “delightfully creepy”.

If you could ever meet a fictional character, who would it be?

Kvothe. From The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss.

Writing buddy?

Not currently. But my good friend Holly was instrumental in helping me finish this short story for the anthology. Without her encouragement I may never have finished this story. I am forever indebted to her.

Coffee, tea, or other?

Both and Other.

Morning or night person?

Morning. I love it when I have time and quiet in the morning to start out my day. If the weather is nice there really is nothing better than sitting outside on my porch, maybe with a hot beverage or juice, and a book or my writing.

Plotter or Pantser?

Mostly a Pantser, but playing with plotting ;)

One fun fact?  

Randomly, both my cat and dog are black and white (dog is a Border Collie) and when I adopted them they both had the name “Oreo”. They are now named Paco (cat, named after a Bulgarian who I never want to forget) and Meena (dog).

Fun fact about the story?

I realized my story while driving to my friend’s house to use my spare key (she had locked herself out). I was driving slack jawed, wide eyed, and could barely focus on what was going on around me because I had a story unfolding in my head. I wrote 1600 words that first night.

What question do you wish people would ask about you or your writing?

Mostly I don’t want them to ask me anything. I want them to tell me. What did they get from it? What feelings did it make them feel? What was your favorite part? What was the most gut wrenching (if any)? What was weird about it? I want them to tell me. What did you feel?