Vicki
Gaia
Mrs. Rambler opened the main
bar this afternoon to find a very peculiar spectacle in front of
her. Randy, the barman, was busily folding beer mats into
tidy squares, before tucking them under the right-hand legs of
every chair in the room.
"Er, Randy?"
Mrs. Rambler interrupted. "Are you... feeling
okay?"
"Yes, I'm fine."
"What are all the beer mats for?"
"Oh," said he, confidently. "They're for
Vicki."
"Eh?"
"I've heard she likes to lean to the left."
"What?"
"It says here, quite clearly, that she likes to lean to
the left."
Mrs. Rambler plucked the
errant sheet of paper from Randy's hands, and let out a
sigh. "You know, I don't think that's quite
what she had in mind..."
1- If you have an alias or pen name, what is it?
Nope, I didn't go with a pen
name. If I ever write erotica I'd like to go with Tattoo Rose :-)
2- Tell us about yourself?
Well, this is difficult but
I'm not one to want to be in the spotlight. I like to be behind
the scenes conducting the play, not acting in it. That's probably
why I love to write. I get to conduct my characters in any way I
choose. Maybe this makes me a 'control freak' LOL - My husband
thinks I'm a little bit crazy and lean on 'left' side of life. My
women characters tend to be artists, bohemians, and question
authority. They like to expand their way of thinking and the world
view of how women should live their lives.
3- Anything special the readers should know about you?
I don't harbor any
mysterious secrets or have skeletons dancing in my closet. That's
why I write romance fiction, because I can invent all sorts of
secrets. My imagination is less likely to get me in trouble, and
living vicariously through my characters is less stressful to my
well-being!
4- How long have you been writing?
I've been writing since
2000, so six years. I started by writing short stories and then
attempted a fantasy novel which I've kept to remind me how far
I've progressed. I wrote 40 short stories before attempting my
first serious novel. Warring Hearts: Cradle the Light is the first
novel I wrote with any intention of trying to get it published. It
went through numerous edit changes but found a home with
Awe-Struck E-books. It was released in May.
5- Where do you typically find your inspiration?
Since I write historical
fiction, I get inspiration from history books and articles. I've
always been fascinated with archaeology, ancient societies and the
goddess religion. I plan on writing a novel to incorporate these
interests. Also, everyday life is filled with high drama, and my
friends will drop terrific one-liners. They usually love it when
they see a situation or line of dialogue which they've inspired.
*grin* Of course, I always ask for their permission.
6- What genre do you write in?
I write modern historical
(after 1910), and once in a while, contemporary romance being.
"Gracie and the Bad Hat" is a contemporary set in San
Francisco, and will be published in 2007. I am co-authoring a
modern romance that is a love story with a twist. It involves
modern day witches in Salem.
I plan on writing a
fantasy/paranormal with goddess elements after my trip to Malta.
So…I'm all over the place with genres. It's easy to move back
and forth on the timeline. I've always dreamt of having a time
machine for this very purpose. *sigh* It never materialized so
instead, I write.
7- Who has influenced you in your writing?
The zillions of authors I've
read since the time my Nonna Rose took me to the library.
8- What books do you have out?
I have two ebooks out. Long Strange Trip
is also available in print. Warring Hearts trilogy will be coming
out in print in 2007. You can purchase my books at the publisher's
site or through Amazon or Fictionwise:
Long Strange Trip - Samhain Publishing -
is set during the Summer of Love. This book can be purchased at
Samhain Publishing. It's available in print. Purchase: http://www.samhainpublishing.com/longstrangetrip.shtml
Book One of Warring Hearts: Cradle the
Light - Awe-Struck E-books - is set during World War II. Purchase:
www.awe-struck.net
In 2007, I will have two ebooks coming
out, both with Awe-Struck E-books:
Book Two of Warring Hearts: Fragments of
Light
Gracie and the Bad Hat - contemporary romance set in San Francisco
I hope to have my 1913 romance published
by 2007 - titled Eliza's Hope, and Kendra's Wish - a love story
featuring modern day witches.
9- Are you doing any signing or appearances soon?
I plan to do a signing this
fall at my local coffeehouse. I hope to schedule a few signings
the next year with my local RWA chapter, and fellow authors who
live nearby.
10- Do you have any advice for aspiring writers?
Never give up! Perseverance
is a must. An artist friend once told me, 'if you're ever going to
be an artist, you need to have the skin of armadillo'. Believe me,
I've had my share of self-doubts and self-criticism. I never feel
that my story is good enough. When a book comes out, I'm afraid to
read it because I might find a typo or find I've left out
something major to the plot! At some point, you need to trust in
yourself, and let all your negative thoughts melt away. So don't
give up. If you have a passion to write, then write.
11- Do you have a website or a blog?
I have a website http://www.vickigaia.com
- you can read up on my latest news, chat schedules, book
signing (future J), reviews, excerpts, upcoming releases,
research…Or, join my Yahoo Group which is a non-chat group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/vickigaia
12- Do you prefer for your fans to mail or email you?
I prefer email. Fans can
contact me through my website at http://www.vickigaia.com/feedback.htm
13- Other than being a writer, did you ever picture yourself
doing anything else?
Oh, I'd of loved to be a
librarian. Seriously - I actually scored high for this profession
through Myers/Briggs or some such test. I ignored it at the time,
but now wished I'd pursued it. If not a librarian, a rock star.
Talk about schizoid!
14- If you had time off to do whatever you like, what would you
do?
I'd travel. And, stay in
one place for two to three months to soak up the atmosphere.
With a laptop and wireless I can write anywhere. Maybe rent a
farmhouse in Tuscany, or an apartment in Greenwich Village, or
go to Japan and eat sushi and noodles all day.
15- Is there a favorite author you haven't met that you'd like
to?
Jane Austen, but that would
be difficult!
16- If you have a book coming out soon or just out would you
like to give us an excerpt?
How about I give you an excerpt from Long
Strange. Kenneth Hailey and Rose Red are lunching at The Haven.
They've just met in the park at a free concert.
You can also read my excerpts at my
website: http://www.vickigaia.com/bookshelf.htm
Long Strange Trip: Kenneth Hailey
believes he can deal with everything logically - even love. Until
he meets Rose Red, a free-spirit flower child who believes in
loving the one you're with. And, while love plays its part, for
Kenneth, 1967 is the year he wakes up.
An 20th century historical romance
excerpt from Long Strange Trip by Vicki Gaia, Samhain
Publishing, Ltd. - Vicki Gaia/Samhain Publishing, 2006, all
rights reserved
Excerpt From Chapter Two:
"Here you are, veggie burger for you," and she placed
a plate heaped with spouts in front of Kenneth. "And an
avocado sandwich for Rose." She left them to their meal.
Kenneth took a suspicious bite of his burger and scrunched his
nose. "This taste like dirty socks."
"It's good for you." [Rose said]
"So, what's the point of eating it if it doesn't taste
good?"
"Nutrition, healthy body..."
"My body is healthy eating meat." Disgusted, he
scraped off the sprouts with his fork.
"Why did you move here?"
"I needed a change."
Priscilla had been his last and only girlfriend. Sure, he'd
dated and slept with a few girls before her, but she was the first
who'd understood him. She respected his need for boundaries, and
his need to work out mathematical theories in his head.
Distractions cursed his very existence.
"So, you broke up with your girlfriend."
Kenneth stabbed at his sprouts and shoved a bunch in his mouth.
Coughing them into his napkin, he rolled up the napkin and stuffed
it under the rim of his plate. "I said a break, not a breakup."
"But you did leave because of a girl."
"I'm over her."
"I say love the one you're with."
"What's with you? You throw yourself at every guy you meet
on the street. That's not love."
"I met you at the park, not on the street. And what's
wrong with sharing a little love? The world needs more of
it."
"Sex isn't love."
"Maybe not for you." Rose wiped her mouth and shoved
away her plate.
"You talk of me not allowing love in, but it seems to me
you're as bad. So you sleep with a bunch of guys. That's not
letting in love."
Hard eyes stared at him. Rose tapped the rim of the plate.
"I do know the difference between love and sex, but why be
lonely? To share the night with someone is a beautiful
experience."
Kenneth picked up the thick mushy sandwich and took a bite.
Tomatoes and avocado squeezed out from the sides and fell in blobs
on his plate. The sandwich tasted like sand mixed with vegetables.
Setting down the half-eaten mess, he shoved the bread around with
his fork. What was the point of arguing with Rose? Stubborn, with
that russet hair and bright eyes, a real nut case - and yet there
was something attractive about what she said. This disturbed him.
Mathematics did not allow for frivolous assumptions.
Rose heartily ate her sandwich, and Kenneth was amused by how
delicately she wiped her mouth with her napkin. She then folded it
into a square and placed it in the middle of her empty plate.
After taking a sip of water, she stood up and pushed in her chair.
She reprimanded him, but softened it with a grin. "Let's go
if you're going to play with your food."
With
many thanks to Vicki for joining us at the
Ramblers' Inn
You can visit Vicki on the web at:
http://www.vickigaia.com
