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?

Stardust, Always Interview With Debbie Manber Kupfer

Her story, "The Big C" Can be found in the Stardust, Always Anthology.  

All proceeds benefit St. Jude's Cancer Research.

 

What genre do you read?

I read mostly fantasy and science fiction with the occasional classic, lit fic, or thriller thrown in for variety!

What genres do you write?

My main series, P.A.W.S., is fantasy, but I also like to experiment in other genres for my short stories.

Where else can readers find your work?

All my books including the anthologies I’ve been part of can be found on my Amazon author page.

What drove you to write for this anthology?

I’m a cancer survivor and feel it’s important to share my story with others who might be going through a similar journey.

I also adored David Bowie and Alan Rickman and am honored to be part of this anthology.

How long have you participated in Nanowrimo and the community?

I did my first NaNoWriMo in November of 2012 when I wrote the first draft of P.A.W.S. It really helps me to have a community to write with and I still today am my most productive in NaNo months.

I also love the silliness of our group on FB. Too many of the other writing groups out there take themselves too seriously. We still of course have flouncers, but that’s all part of the entertainment!

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

My story, The Big C, is a departure from my normal writing as it is a memoir. It chronicles a difficult time in my life when just after my father passed away I was diagnosed with breast cancer.

I don’t plan to write anymore about this. The story was very important to write and cathartic. I needed to get it out. When I was going through treatment I told very few people about my cancer. I didn’t like how people treated me if they knew. Now that I’m a survivor it’s different. I feel I can share and hopefully help others who are going through a similar experience.

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

Sirius Black – I don’t think he really died when he went through that curtain. He’d take me for a ride on his flying motorcycle and then who knows!

Writing buddy?

My kitty – Miri Billie Joe!

Coffee, tea, or other?

I drink about a gallon of hot tea each day with milk. I like Tetley’s British Blend.

Morning or night person?

Left to my own devices I’d be a night person, but with kids I find that these days I’m more productive in the mornings.

Plotter or Pantser?

Pantser (mainly) – I enjoy seeing where my characters take me.

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

Anything really – I love answering questions from fans. Particularly enjoy the nitpicky ones about how the different kinds of magic work in my world or the origins of particular characters.

One fun fact?

When I’m not writing fiction I write puzzles for magazines and my website, Paws 4 Puzzles and have had crosswords published on the walls of a bagel restaurant, Eltana, in Seattle and on a mug made by the Unemployed Philosopher’s Guild.

Bio

Debbie Manber Kupfer has been writing stories ever since she was small, but only started taking her writing seriously in 2012 when she finished undergoing treatment for breast cancer. She realized that we only have a limited time on this earth and if we really are passionate about leaving our mark we have to go after what we want. To that end she started writing her fantasy series P.A.W.S., and the first book was published in 2013. Since then she has published book 2, Argentum, and has had stories published in a number of anthologies including Fauxpocalypse, Winter Wishes, Sins of the Past, Sins of the Future, Heroes & Villains and of course Stardust, Always. She also created the puzzle book, Paws 4 Logic together with her son, Joey. She believes that with enough tea and dark chocolate you can achieve anything! Connect with Debbie on her blog http://debbiemanberkupfer.wordpress.com/ or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/DebbieManberKupferAuthor .

Stardust, Always Interview With Ronnie Virdi

His story A Bag Full Of Stars can be found in the Stardust, Always anthology.

What genre do you read?

Urban fantasy.  I have been into mythology and that with a practical setting makes it the mundane seem spectacular. 

What genres do you write?

I write urban fantasy. 

Where else can readers find your work?

It can be found at rrvirdi.com.  I have two novels: Grave Beginnings and Grave Measures.  You can also find free short stories and links to the YouTube channel.  There are links to Amazon.

What drove you to write for this anthology?

I had already contributed to The Longest Night Watch, which was an anthology in honor of Sir Terry Pratchett who suffered from Alzheimer’s.  All the proceeds of that book went to Alzheimer’s research. 

Stardust, Always is for cancer research.  All the proceeds go to St. Jude’s Cancer research in honor of David Bowie and Alan Rickman.  I find that short stories are a challenge and it was for a good cause.  The prompts were anything inspired by Bowie, Rickman, or cancer related.

The story is a fairytale about a girl on a quest to save her Gramma.

How long have you participated in Nanowrimo and the community?

Two years plus.

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

It is freestanding.  The stories I write for the Longest Night Watch are part of a series for Questworld.

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

Ortiz.  She is part of the Graves series.

Writing buddy?

Yes. I have a black German Shepherd named Oreo.

Coffee, tea, or other?

Mango or grape juice.  I can’t tell you why.  Or tea.  Green or Earl Gray.

Plotter or Pantser?

Pantser.  I am really a daydreamer.  I get the overall plot from A to B.  Sometimes I am surprised by what happens in my story.  I find that if I am surprised by what happens, the same effect will be for the readers. 

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

Why do I do it all?

One fun fact?

I always try to leave clues in my books about something from an upcoming work