Tell me about your journey as a writer.
I have been making up stories; some would call them tall tales, since the age of five. I wrote until I matriculated and university, marriage, work, children; the ordinary things we attribute to life interrupted the flow. In the intervening years, I have always felt as if I had lost a vital part of myself. Now, I have come full circle and the most important thing driving me is the need to tell these stories that make their presence felt whether I am awake or dreaming. The flood gates are open and I have no idea how to curtail the flow.
How did you decide on the names for your stories in STORM?
A storm in a teacup, the science fiction story, was easy as the story revolves around a teacup, much like my grandmother’s set which I still own. It was a precious item which was only brought out when the pastor came around on his yearly visit. I decided to have fun with the item, although I know my grandmother would surely have frowned upon it. Dandelions for Mother was the difficult one. The story had been edited and was sitting there in my files, burdened with the moniker Storm 1. It was only after my friend Linze Brandon suggested a few titles that I suddenly knew what the title should be. It changed the ending slightly.
What was your favourite part of the writing process for your STORM stories?
The joy of telling the tale and laughing out loud whilst writing A storm in a teacup. My youngest son popped in to inquire as to his mother’s insane giggling and I had to admit to entertaining myself with the writing thereof.
What was the most difficult part of the writing process for your STORM stories?
Dandelions for Mother took me to a darker place and I imparted part of my being. Grief and heartache lies at the heart of the story and I lived it while I wrote it. It is always difficult to bounce back thereafter.
What other projects are you working on?
What am I not working on should be the question. Red Tape, a crime thriller is currently being submitted to publishing houses in South Africa. I am putting the finishing stories in place for Bikinis and double fudge sundaes, a book that has grown from my blog and features the inimitable, hilarious Muse. I am working on a sequel to Red Tape, named Something evil comes… featuring the same detectives. I am 13000 words into Dead-Lee, which was born in entirety from a dream. Last, but not least is Fever Dreams, a literary work in four parts featuring transformation, living, dying and regeneration. The A to Z blog challenge and Camp NanoWrimo kicks off in April. Looking at all of this, I realise how insane I truly am….
Get into contact with Vanessa:
Twitter: @Artysoul1966
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VanessaWright.Auth?ref=hl
Smashwords author profile: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/Artysoul
Goodreads author profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7303329.Vanessa_Wright
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/artysoul1966/
Natalie Rivener 