Here is a bit about today's guest, VJ Schultz
VJ wanted to write books ever since she could read them by herself. Her latest book is a collection of romance short stories, Undercover Love & Other Tales. She enjoys writing in multiple genres including mystery, romance, and fantasy. She and her husband live in Missouri with three spoiled inside cats, one less-spoiled outside cat, and one happy parakeet. When she isn’t writing or teaching writing, she takes photos, reads, and does Tai Chi. A member of Sisters in Crime, VJ is also a founding member of Sleuths' Ink, a mystery and suspense writing group.VJ, what is your all-time favorite short story and why?Edgar Allan Poe’s The Tell Tale Heart is my favorite short story. Poe wrote it with a wonderful psychological angle and the story is packed-full of suspense.
When writing many of my own stories, I tend to employ suspense and psychology. I love to throw in a twist.
What is the most difficult part of writing short fiction?
I don’t really find it difficult to write short fiction, so this question is a hard one to answer. But I guess it would be keeping a story short that decides it wants to be long. The reverse is true for writing novel-length and finding it hard to make the story longer when it naturally comes to a shorter ending.
What piece of advice would you give to a prospective short story writer?
In one word, “Start.” If you don’t start a story, you won’t tell the tale, and you certainly won’t end it.
Which of your short stories should we read first and why?
This is one of those “It depends” questions. If you like mystery and suspense, then pick up my collection, Death of Bigfoot & Other Tales. The title story Death of Bigfoot is a fun tale to read.
If you like weird, odd and the paranormal, then try on Truth or Dare & Other Tales for discomfort. My favorite within this volume is “White Lightning” because it has a distinct Ozark Mountains flavor, a bit of history, and...well, I’m not going to ruin it for you.
If you like sweet romance stories, Undercover Love & Other Tales is for you. The story that means the most to me in this collection is Dancing Down the Aisle because one of the characters, Opal Brewster, is loosely based upon my mom.
How can readers find you, VJ? After this enticing interview I'm sure they will want to!Website
Blog
Good interview, Linda. Thanks to VJ for sharing her process and collections of stories with those of us who love short stories. I'll definitely go look for them. bobbi chukran
ReplyDeleteHi Bobbi--Linda was wonderful to host me on her blog. It was my pleasure to share my bit of knowledge with Linda's readers. If you'd like to pick up the Death of Bigfoot & Other Tales ebook version, it is on a Kindle Countdown sale for 99 cents. Thanks for your comment.
DeleteHi VJ. Just saw on the SMFS loop that you were guestblogging here. I also love short stories. And as a beta reader for VJ, I can assure you, you won't be disappointed. So pick up a copy.
ReplyDeleteHi Shirley--Glad you saw it and stopped by. With all your stories published in Woman's World, and your own books out, I appreciate your opinion. You are a great beta reader. Thanks for the praise.
DeleteThanks you for sharing your work. Your story collections sound interesting.
ReplyDeleteHi Susan--You are welcome and thank you for stopping by and commenting. It is a good time to pick up Death of Bigfoot & Other Tales because it is on a Kindle 99 Cent Countdown sale for the next few days, if you'd like to read one. Have a great day!
DeleteI always loved teaching The Tell Tale Heart to high school students. It's the kind of story that grabs the listener with a strong narrative hook. Poe's theory of the short story is a classic. Congrats on your own work!
ReplyDeleteHello Jacqueline--Thanks for your comment. The Tell Tale Heart is gripping. The Raven is another of my favorites.
DeletePoe's "The Tale Tale Heart," a lesson for a lifetime. Thank you both for this interview.
ReplyDeleteHi Ben--You are welcome. Thank you for stopping by and commenting. Poe had a wonderful way with words.
DeleteI just downloaded your Big Foot book. Looking forward to reading it. I always did love the Poe stories. Some of them stick in your brain forever and deservedly so.
ReplyDeleteHello Teresa--Thank you for picking up Death of Bigfoot & Other Tales, I hope you enjoy the read. You may also like Truth or Dare & Other Tales. It has some rather odd tales within its pages. Yes, Poe's stories do tend to stick in one's brain. I can almost hear the heart beating. :)
DeleteIf I were answering the question - the Tell-Tale Heart is my favorite too.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for having me as a guest blogger. You can't go wrong with the Tell-Tale Heart. :)
DeleteI have to read Death of Bigfoot. Mystery and suspense mixed with fun sounds like my kind of story.
ReplyDelete