Magical Reality: Author Interview - Gabriella Balcom

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Today we are talking with the author of “What I Miss the Most”, Gabriella Balcom.

What was your inspiration for this story?

I think many people have been in unhappy relationships. While numerous problems can occur, a common one learning that one's partner has been deceitful on some way—maybe even unfaithful. People often think about their lives and regret having invested time in this person or that one, making certain choices, or wish they could turn back time.

We all have regrets of one kind or another, I believe. One day I thought about the unhappiness one of my relatives experienced, and how he wished he'd done things differently. This led me straight into "What I Miss the Most."

Who is your favorite character in your story and why?

I deeply sympathize with my main character and her pain. However, I'm also partial to a certain dark figure because of what his coming represents. I admire him for not taking advantage, and because he's the means by which my main character starts to make realizations that will change her life forever.

What is your writing process like?

I'm primarily a pantser, and ideas, dialogue, and scenes often pop into my head. When they do, I write them down on index cards, paper, notebooks, or whatever's close at hand. I dictate them onto my phone if I'm driving. Sometimes I just know specific things from the beginning that I want to include; other times, I have no clue until later on when they come to me. By the time I sit down to actually start writing, though, I usually have several notes or scenes laid out. Sometimes I write stories sequentially from beginning to end. Other times I jump back and forth and do scenes out of order; or, I write the ending, and then go back and fill in the missing parts. It just depends on the story.

I like to be alone in my room, sitting on my bed with my notes nearby, along with bottles of water and snacks like nuts, fruit, M&Ms, and cheese and crackers. I play music low to drown out distractions. At times I start favorite movies or episodes from TV series for the same reason. My laptop is what I use versus writing long-hand, because I type faster than I write, and can go faster that way.

Since I work full-time and usually extra hours, I plan in time for writing before and after I leave for my job, during my time off. I always have several creations going, and work on one for awhile, then another, then... When I'm working on a story, I tend to re-read it each time I sit down—which has both benefits and negative aspects. After I finish my first draft, I go back through, revise, correct, add elements, and then set it aside to read again at a later time. Now and then I'll run out of steam on a particular story and set it aside for weeks or months, picking it up at another time.  

Sometimes I draw personality characteristics and events from people or situations I've known. Other times, I invent. Some of my characters are based on themselves alone—especially the characters I "know" or "hear" as I work on their stories.  

Is fantasy the genre you usually write in?

I write in several genres, depending on the ideas that come to me. One story could be fantasy. Others might be science fiction, romance, horror, a children's story, or a mixture of genres.

How long on average does it take you to write a story?

That varies from story to story. For example, I might create a drabble in 15 minutes, or do part of it and the rest another time. I've written stories in anywhere from two hours to quite a few. With one novel I'm working on, I wrote 25,000-28,000 words in three weeks. With two other novels, I've done 2,000-5,000 word spurts. My times and productivity are affected by whether or not I have to work eight hours in a given day plus two hours of driving, twelve hours or more of work plus the drive time, or if I have a day or weekend off.

How important was research to you when writing this story?

I didn't do any research for this story. However, for inspiration I searched online and downloaded several pictures to represent my main character's surprise visitor.

Are there any books that you are currently reading and why?

Recently, I began reading "The Sword of Shannara" and "Oracle's Moon" again. I also read about gods, goddesses, weapons, and dragons, but did this online. I have a high to-be-read pile, and I'm adding more things to it all the time.

What are you writing now or what are you planning on writing next?

I'm working on a few stories which range in length from 100 words to right under 10,000. I've begun a tale about a goddess, and might try my hand at a second. I just finished a long fantasy (around 8,600 words) featuring a dragon and sent it to my editor; when I get it back, I'll revise and submit it. Two other stories I'm working on are horror; one has to feature a game and be 1,000 words or less, but the other can be longer. I recently completed a short fantasy and a short love story, both of which I sent to my editor.

In the near future, I'll work on a romance and dystopia. I also plan to write some drabbles about vampires. Too, I need to look over a novel I wrote, write a query letter, and start submitting to publisher.

I wish all of you the best in your endeavors and hope you'll wish me the same.

Do you have any upcoming releases?

Yes. I have a few short stories pending publication, and will list them below:  

a. "The Siamese," accepted by Blooming Dark  

b. "What I Miss the Most" will come out soon in the anthology, Magical Reality, published by Pixie Forest Publishing

c. "Suzie's Wish," accepted by Dastaan World for their upcoming anthology, Athena

Ten drabbles accepted by Blood Song Books for their upcoming anthology, Curses & Cauldrons:

d. "After Death"

e. "Never Again"

f. "Out of the Way"

g. "Perfect at Last"

h. "Shora's Curse: Every Day"

i. "Summoning a Demon"

j. "The In-Crowd"

k. "Try Now"

l. "Well-Deserved"

m. "What She'd Do for Love"

n. "Feeling Justified" was accepted by Dastaan World for their upcoming magazine, Chapter 12 – Labryinth

Thank you for wanting to interview me. I appreciate that and you very much!