An Interview with Tats
by Gayle Drakes
Question
First and Last Name (if you don’t mind, or we can stick to your WVU username if you prefer).
Answer
Thank you for asking me to participate in this. When I write, I use a pseudonym. I've always wanted to keep that part separate. I think because this work is often done from home, I wanted to treat it as a business, with specific hours, no distractions, etc. So, I went with Mahalia Solages. At WVU, I'm just Tats.
Question
Tell us something about yourself
Answer
Oh wow. I never know how to answer that. I'm a New Yorker, whose family moved to the Caribbean. Then I moved back to New York for college. I studied Interior Design and moved on to hospitality, and then aviation, where I've been for over twenty years. I have a Certified Instructor's License, but I have been in corporate aviation as a flight attendant for twenty years. Basically, we fly G450's, G650's [i.e. Gulfstreams] and the like. I've traveled all around the world, I love cooking, I'm a mom, I do philanthropy work...
Question
What do you write? Any specific genres?
Answer
Early on, I started with women’s fiction novels- not chick-lit or romance- and then I tried my hand at children's books (when the one agent who was interested in my novel passed away… ahem… plot twist). I can't say I knew what I was doing, but I just wanted to start somewhere. The children's books led me to lots of school appearances, Barnes and Noble author showcases and community events. I moved on to short stories and a few of those have been published. Those led to multiple Miami Book Fair events and Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) showcases. I seem to be more into literary fiction as a whole.
Question
What do you bring from your background to your writing?
Answer
I had very little experience other than a few classes from the New York Writer's Workshop, Florida International University (FIU) workshops, and a writing group. I always enjoyed writing, but I have had so many other "careers" prior to. The traveling and interaction with all sorts have helped to create wonderful settings and character profiles though. LOL.
Question
What classes are you taking at Writers Village University (WVU)? How have they helped your writing?
Answer
I have taken every class to complete the MFA at WVU and then some. I used to meet with a writing group locally, twice a month, but then life and adulting created scheduling issues. Enter stage left, WVU. This community has been instrumental in my growth and understanding. The feedback and knowledge have absolutely helped my current work. I also realized I would be the one who needs an editor. I'm still forever making grammatical mistakes. Good grief.
Question
Are you working on anything now? Tell us a bit about it.
Answer
I am always working on a short story to submit somewhere. There are so many contests and magazines that host regular contests; those deadlines keep me busy. I don't always have a story to fit the themes, but I just tried my hand at submitting an essay about dating to The Writer.
Question
Have you published anything? What are you working on now for future publication?
Answer
A few of my short stories have appeared in anthologies. I will continue with short stories, though I have about four novels sitting on a shelf, desperately needing editing. Also, I am working with a writer friend on a vlog/blog about life and just finished filming a few episodes.
Question
Do you have any writing goals?
Answer
I would love to see one of my novels published by a real house. I know so many have gone the self-publishing route, as I have in the past. But after so many years of dedication to this craft, I would love to experience the actual process. I don't know. I'd like to think I have some talent in storytelling, but all I can do is keep writing and fine-tuning the craft. I know they say not to give up, though sometimes it can get quite discouraging. Some days I do question what inspires me to continue writing, or what value I bring to it all.
Question
How did you find/hear of WVU?
Answer
I think just online. I tried a few classes, maybe twelve years ago? It was three years ago though when I committed to the MFA program in earnest.
Question
What is the biggest surprise that you have experienced at WVU?
Answer
How little I knew overall about the craft of writing. Yikes! Early on, I wondered how any of my stories ever got published. Perhaps a few authors feel that way about their early work, when they realize that they have grown, and the quality of their work has evolved. I'm glad I'm here. The moderators and classmates who I've "seen" these last years have been helpful and honest with their feedback.
Question
A writer's tip or two you'd like to share.
Answer
I think it is important to write daily and to try sitting in different settings to do so.
I also think it is a great idea to be a part of workshops. There have been times when we've had to read a novel or short story that we would never have picked up on our own because it is out of our comfort or interest zone. Learning comes from all perspectives and we never know when inspiration will present itself.
Bio: Tats' fiction has appeared Kalyani Magazine, Momaya Press, Almond Press, a trilingual anthology So Spoke The Earth and at Writing Raw. Also a playwright, her play “A Tale Of Two Mommies” was featured in Miami at the Centro Cultural de Espana. She is the author of two children’s picture books. She has contributed to the Bad Ass Black Girl vlog. She lives in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.