Three Questions and a Cover — a short interview with one of my favorite authors, along with one of the author’s covers.
My guest today is the multi-talented Mandy Haynes. I think you’ll be surprised by some of what she reveals in this interview. Apparently she was, too.
Question: What one piece of advice can you offer to a writer who has yet to tackle the publishing world?
Do it! If you have a story that you want to tell, tell it. Nobody else has your voice.
Question: Do you create elaborate outlines for your books? If so, can you explain the process (briefly)? Or do you fly by the seat of your pants? If so, do you have any tricks you use to keep yourself from crashing?
I’ve always said I fly by the seat of my pants but here’s the thing – I visualize the scenes like I’m watching a movie and I don’t start the actual writing process until I see the end. Does it count as an outline if I don’t write it down on a stack of sticky notes or in a notebook? I think maybe it does. Jeez – I might be a plotter instead of a panster!
Question: Do you have a funny/scary/quirky story about interaction with readers or other writers? We all want to know.
Years ago I worked in pediatric cardiology. At the time I had a few short stories published in some Vanderbilt House Organ’s Summer Reading editions. One of the stories, Her Baby Will Sing, was about a young woman in an abusive relationship who realizes she’s pregnant and decides to put an end to the abuse to save her baby. Long story short, I left the story’s ending a little loose so the reader could decide if she murdered her husband and blocked the traumatic event out of her mind, The same day the journal came out, I was pushing the ultrasound machine through the NICU when one of the male nurses saw me from across the crowded unit. He stood up and yelled, “Did she feed him to the hogs?” I replied with a thumbs up and big smile because that’s exactly how I saw it ending. No one else knew we were talking about a fictional story so the looks we got were hilarious!
Sharp as a Serpent’s Tooth – Eva and Other Stories will have you cheering for snakes and cussing in church. Each story features a female protagonist, ranging from ten to ninety-five years of age. Set in the south, you’ll follow these young women and girls as they learn that they’re stronger than they ever thought possible.
About the Author
Mandy Haynes is the author of two short story collections, Walking the Wrong Way Home, Sharp as a Serpent’s Tooth-Eva and Other Stories, and a novella, Oliver. She’s also the editor-in-chief of WELL READ Magazine. Mandy is in the process of collaborating on a psychological thriller with author Carolyn Haines.
Learn more at www.MandyHaynes.com
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