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It’s A Book Thing Presents: An Interview with Vailes Shepperd, author of A Good Ending for Bad Memories

Author’s Bio: Vailes Shepperd is a founding member of the Washington Independent Review of Books (WIRoB), which began when The Washington Post ceased publishing “Book World.” While she served as the Senior Features Editor, she interviewed authors and wrote regular articles about writing. Shepperd has been writing almost from the moment that she learned to read. In first grade, she collaborated with her oldest brother, the Spoken Word Poet, D. Dallas Vailes, to produce a prize-winning play that was performed for elementary school audiences. 

Vailes attended Tulane University and the University of Paris, Sorbonne. She has edited books, including P.J. Fetner’s The African Safari, and Take Me with You, by Scott Jackson, President and CEO of Global Impact.  Her short story, “Monroe,” was published in the anthology, Women Writing About Men.  A Good Ending for Bad Memories is the first but not last of Shepperd’s novels. For more information, visit www.vailesshepperdbooks.com. 

Deliah Lawrence: How would you describe your writing process?

Vailes Shepperd: One of the things that I always do is stop on inspiration. There are days and/or hours when the writing just works, and the words slide smoothly into place. Whenever possible, I write until I know exactly what’s coming next and then stop. It saves time. When I know what’s coming next and can’t wait to write it, I can sit write down and begin. I’m a morning person, I write very early with a cup of strong black tea! 

DL: What were some of the challenges when writing this book?

VS: For me, the challenge is always bringing the reader along. I am asking a lot of the reader in this story. Sometimes, the connections between the characters were purposefully subtle. Keeping them subtle yet making sure that the reader takes note, was not easy.  Trust me, I think you’ll be rewarded. 

DL: Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

VS: Truthfully, I’ve always wanted to write and one of the first revelations for me was when I read Mark Twain’s notes at the back of Pudd’nHead Wilson. In short, he wrote that the book started one way and went another!  This made me happy because before that time, I always thought the fact that my narratives seemed to make their own decisions was going to be a forever fight. 

Toni Morrison, more than anything else, proved that she was a master at setting, and I don’t mean creating a setting, I mean where to place the story in time and history.  A Mercy is one of my favorite books by her for this reason. 

Gabriel Garcia Marquez, for combining magic with reality and giving them the same space and equal importance.  Shouldn’t we all be so lucky! 

DL: What was the best writing advice you’ve ever been given?

VS: Edward Jones once told me that he thought about his book for years and then sat down and wrote it in no time.  The thinking is part of the process. This was very good information for me. Don’t punish yourself for not being at your desk when you believe you should be, but don’t ever give up on your story.

Octavia Butler, I believe, said “Persevere.” 

DL: If you could choose a superpower, what would it be and why?

VS: I would be able to whisper to anyone in the world at any time and too, to all humans at the same time. It would probably begin with “Stop, think and recognize fear is not a worthy mandate. Use kindness as a guide.”  And then I’d give them their missions!  

DL: What do you like to do when you are not writing?

VS: Read, walk and if I’m lucky and the pool is open, swim. 

DL: What are three things you can’t live without?

VS: Do you mean food or people? Here goes, and not necessarily in order:  

Kindness, loved ones, beauty, tea, books, funnel cake (just joking), travel…do I have to stop at three? 

DL: Would you like to share an excerpt from A Good Ending for Bad Memories?

VS: Sure, here you go:

She liked him and she didn’t like him. She loved him but she didn’t like loving him because it made her listen even when he was talking the nonsense he was now and like he usually was. 

“Your freedom seem to like nonsense. Mine ain’t sure,” said Selsie.

“You ain’t had yours long enough to know what it like.”

“It don’t like being told,” Selsie knew that much.

“Neither do you. Maybe it’ll be as stubborn as you. Stubborn freedom won’t git up and move, don’ care what’s comin’.” She was having second thoughts about sharing anything with him—certainly not a freedom party, not the way he was talking like he knew everything about it. But he could read the question in her face and it was a good thing too.

“I’ll bring the meat. You make the cake.” Now there he was telling her what to do again. He just happened to be right, like he always was, most of the time. He knew it would be a party for two. Just them. She’d cook his meat alright. What he didn’t know? She was making him a special cake, a “Shut Up” cake. She had just decided on it. He was going to like it so much; he was going to keep eating it and all he would be able to do was smile. What she didn’t know? It would have the same effect on her.   

DL: What new projects are you currently working on?

VS: A Dr. Frankenstein in Eden is my next book.  I think it is ready. Rather than the family that ushers one into the world, the characters in this story are a bonded family composed of two women (one black, one white) tethered by their very strange and special needs children, pitiably unsuccessful husbands, vast individual wealth, and the same amazing taste in designer clothing, which is how they met in the first place. They flee the big city together to become modern day homesteaders in a tiny Edenic little town. Homesteading is not at all what they expected. 

DL: Where can readers learn more about you and purchase your book(s)?

VS: Readers can find out more about me and work here:

DL: Thanks so much for being here with us today. I know my readers will enjoy getting to know you and your work.

VS: Thanks for having me!







 

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