Wizz’s Wackyweed...

Interview with Ali Vali
by Wizz
 

Introduction by Wizz:

*************************************

Tonight we bring you Ali Vali.... she is a kick in the seat of the pants...I have read all of her stories posted on our site an cant begin to tell you the fun and enjoyment I have had each time I read one of hers! So with out much more being said here is my dear friend Ali Vali’s answers to our questions.....and a special ramble about her new film coming this fall.... Again thank you Ali for taking the time to answer them! Wizz

Wizz an Shadylady.......

1.)     How long have you been writing creative fiction?

I wrote “To Capture a Heart” and posted it in Jan. of 2001. 

2.)     What is your favorite fan fiction story you have written and why?

Up to now my favorite is “Play It Again Sam.” This particular story I’m trying to get published under the title “Carly’s Sound” but even the new much longer version is my favorite. The why is a little tougher, well for me at least. My partner was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago and for me it was one of the hardest things I’ve experienced. Not for me personally, but the feeling of helplessness that swamps you when you start the process of getting to recovery. When you love someone, to see her suffer in anyway makes you want to take it on yourself to save her the discomfort, but she was through all of it a real trooper. In the end it was a year we look back on and realize how much we have to live for and how strong a relationship could be.  

When all of it was over, the chemo and the doctor visits, the feelings were still there for me and at a Billy Joel concert of all things – I listened to a song and “Sam” came to me in one neat package. We laughed when I read it to her and her first comment was “You killed me?” While I never write about either of us in my work, “Sam” was a bit of what that experience left me with. Before the cancer there existed one woman and I was gifted with another once the treatments were done. Both are beautiful, smart and funny, but now we tend to make fun more of a priority in our lives. Laughter really is the best remedy. 

Long answer but there you have it. 

3.)     What got you interested in Xena and writing fan fiction?

Just to see if I could write something longer than a page and have it make sense. Know what I mean?

What colors ur tooth brush?

Purple. I’ve looked and looked for one that was purple and gold, but alas my search has been in vain. GO LSU! How about those Lady Tigers? Number one in the nation and kickin’ ass. 

5.)     If you could be any super hero who would you be and why?

Supergirl hands down. Think about how much easier the morning commute would be. Though, Batman does have that cool car. 

6.)     Do you wipe with your right hand or left or do you use toilet paper?

I want to know who asked this? lol 

7.)     Why and when did you start writing?

Not to sound like a mushball but most of my writing before this was in the form of love letters. I decided to write uber when I thought per chance other people would find the voices in my head as entertaining as I do. 

8.)     What’s ur bra size?

I could tell you but then where’s the fun in that? Wouldn’t you rather guess? 

9.)     How do you have time to WRITE so many stories at once?

Like the characters in my vampire stories, I never sleep. For those of you who’ve visited New Orleans and tried the coffee you know what I’m talking about. One cup will have you going for at least three weeks. 

10.)   How do you get your inspiration?

When you live in a town full of colorful characters, most of which I know, it’s not hard. Most of my creative work on my stories happens in traffic or in the shower. Don’t ask me how those two are related, I have no idea. Unlike “Sam” most of these do take time to hash out in a way the reader finds entertaining. Well at least I hope the reader finds entertaining. 

11.)   What kind of underoo's do you wear?

Depends, no not those type of underwear. It depends on what I’m wearing. Boxers with jeans, Jockey’s and Calvin Klein tight boxers with everything else. 

12.)   What story/series are you most proud of?

The Nile series as I call them with Ramses and Sarah, though the oldest still get a lot of mail. The immortal series I started last year was also fun to write. When you don’t have to follow reality at all – writing can be a blast. 

13.)   Do you get hate mail and how do you handle those?

I’ve been very lucky in this aspect since I don’t get a lot of “hate mail.” I did get some scolding letters last Valentine’s Day when I wrote “Rock” under Ali Vali and “Canopy” under A. Valdivia. Most folks weren’t too happy with me and the sad ending especially on Valentine’s Day but before I got upset something occurred to me. Everyone who wrote me was mad because they cared so much for the characters and the situation I left them in. As a writer I take that as the highest compliment anyone could give me. Writing those two stories did leave me with one of my all time favorite emails as well. Someone wrote me and told me I was the person who killed Valentine’s Day. I wrote back quickly so she would read the second part to the story and why I had done it that way, but the killer comment has stuck with me. 

As a side note, the reason I did write that one under Valdivia was for my dad. He’s been sick on and off for the last couple of years and wanted to see one without the pen name.  

14.)   How about do you get any HATE mail from Wizzy?

Y’all leave the Wiz alone. She actually writes me all the time and gives me encouragement about my father. Mess with her and I will hurt you, I did after all kill Valentine’s Day. 

15.)   What's the best piece of advice you got when you were starting out as a writer?

Add more action to the dialog. Stuff like – she picked up the hot pastry covered in powdered sugar as she looked longingly across the alley. It makes the stories pop more than just dialog between two characters.

How do you lay out your stories?

I usually start with an idea then try for a beginning and an end. It’s those middles that hang me up sometimes.

17.)   Do you have an ending before you start writing, or does it reveal itself to you as you write?

Most of the time I have an ending, but for stories like a novel I’ve been working on for the last two years the end has evolved quite a bit. But then again, sometimes it’s nice when even I’m surprised by what happens.

18.)   How do you get beyond just an idea?

The easiest way for me is to just type out that first sentence. Believe me I have lots of those waiting for a lot more to follow. 

19.)   How does an idea become a story?

The idea has to be one I really like since the one thing I never want to do is put something out just to have something out there. The one thing I want to give to people who make the time to commitment to read my stuff, is that I gave it my best effort. 

20.)   What suggestions do you have for creating self-discipline at writing?

Try for at least a page a day. It doesn’t always work out but on the days when you put ten or twenty down it all balances out. 

21.)   Which story/series has gotten the most response from fans?

The Nile Stories, Amazonia and the Valentine two parter. 

22.)   Do you envision a story before you write it, or does the story just un-fold as you write it?

A little of both.  

23.)   When you've finished with the story/book do you miss those characters that you've written about?

It depends on the editing process. lol I do miss some of these characters, which explains the sequels. 

24.)   If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be and why?

My girlfriend. Why? Because who else would sit there and make sweet eyes at me? 

Who is your favorite super hero of all times?...IE...batman, superman, wonder woman??

Superman. 

Years from now, how would you want to be remembered?

As someone who always no matter what tried to do the right thing and tried to help whenever and wherever I could. 

What is your pet peeve?

Repetitive noises. 

What advice can you give to future writers?

Go for it. You will find sharing your heart a very rewarding experience. 

What are your dreams? Hopes? Wishes?

To live a good life and have friends to share it with. 

What is a necessity for every writer in your opinion?

A good dictionary and a good thesaurus. 

What makes your best friend your best friend?

Her ability to make me laugh hard enough to spew diet coke out of my nose, and the fact we find the same things funny. 

Who is your real life hero and why?

My mom and dad hands down. They left their country, their family and their language behind so my brother and I could have a chance at a life we wanted. That’s the first reason, the second is they educated me, which to me has been the greatest gift I could have hoped to have received.

Why do fools fall in love?

That’s an easy one, because God created beautiful women. And in reality all women no matter size, color or whatever are beautiful.  

What significance, if any, is there in the title?

I don’t know about significance but I can tell you from my own experience, it’s sometimes the hardest thing to pin down. It is important in the sense you want to make people curious enough to want to pick it up. 

Can you see the book as a feature film?

Actually I’ll get to see that before the end of the year thanks to Liquid Filmworks. I wrote a short story for them, “Calumet” which was adapted for the screenplay “Gillery’s Little Secret.” I can’t say yet, but I’m really excited about some of the actors who’ve committed to bringing these characters to life.