Ten Questions with… Missy Frye
Today, I’m happy to have Missy Frye with us! Her newest short story will be released soon and is raising money for a good cause, so check it out!
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Author Bio: Missy Frye began her writing career with a movie review column in a Northwest Arkansas weekly newspaper supplement called Extra. Her column was titled Cinematic Discoveries and focused on independent and lesser known films. She now writes fiction exclusively. She is currently working on a women’s fiction novel and continues to write short stories. When Missy isn’t writing, she can be found reading, researching her ancestry or watching a movie.
Author Site: http://www.melissamfrye.com
You can find her stories at her website and Smashwords!
About the Writer
1. What five words describe you?
I’ve been asked the question before and it’s impossible to describe me in so few words. When I asked my best friend to describe me in five words, she said, “I can’t.” The last interviewer to ask me this got a Doctor Who, Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey Answer. =)
2. What was the first story you ever wrote? I mean the really bad one we all have that you’re trying to hide in the back of closet now that you’re published?
I wrote a short story on a whim when I was a senior in high school. I let my English teacher look at it. He was very encouraging, but critical in that he wanted more from me. I look back on that now and understand what he meant, but when I was first learning how to craft a story, it was difficult to comprehend. I sincerely hope I’ve destroyed that story. Maybe I should look through my stash of old work.
3. What inspires you?
Everything inspires me. I find kernels for stories in music, memories, strangers, snippets of conversation. The list goes on and on.
4. What distracts you?
Genealogy and the internet. If I’m doing ancestry research, hours can pass before I realize it. I try to schedule times for genealogy. The internet takes more discipline because I use it for research, marketing and networking. It’s easy to read a blog post from a fellow author and end up on a long journey of discovering new writers.
5. What’s your favorite story? This can be specific, as in a particular book or even story-driven movie, or general, like “I’m a sucker for a hero looking for redemption story.”
It’s hard to pick just one. As long as a story engages me and makes the journey interesting I’m satisfied. But, the ones in which characters overcome seemingly insurmountable odds intrigue me the most. The range is endless: Apollo 13 returning to Earth safely; Edmond Dantés escaping prison to exact revenge (The Count of Monte Cristo); Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy overcoming their pride and prejudice.
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About the Writing
1. Tell us about your currently available titles.
Abandon: a Short Story
Fool’s Journey: a Short Story
Miltonia Butterflies: a Short Story to be released October 21, 2012
Each are different genres. Abandon is about a divorcee who rediscovers herself after an unexpected encounter with a rock star. Fool’s Journey is a Sci-Fi/Fantasy story about a thief, a dying boy, a rock with healing powers and a mysterious woman who seems to know everything. Miltonia Butterflies is about a young girl who finds the perfect flower for her mother, but must jump through a few hoops to deliver it to her.
2. What’s your favorite part about writing these stories?
This is a terrific question. My favorite part is exploring through creation. I love to create characters and put them in situations and watch as the story unfolds. It’s not that easy, any writer will tell you that, but knowing I have the ability to put my imagination into words and share them with others is very satisfying.
3. What would your characters say to you? Be honest!
Greta – “Move forward, girl. No use dwelling.”
Maks – “Don’t look at me. I don’t have the answers either.”
Rashmi – I’m not sure what Rashmi would tell me, but I’m certain her words would raise questions in my mind.
Paz – “Be happy.”
4. Who would play your favorite character if they made a movie of their story?
If there is a younger version of Owen Wilson out there, he would be perfect to play Wyatt Abney, a character from my WIP.
5. Do you have any projects currently in the works you want to talk about?
I will be publishing my short story, Miltonia Butterflies in October. From October 21 – 27, all proceeds from its sale will go to the Indie Writers for the Troops, a fundraiser for the USO. “The garden young Paz passes on her way home from the library is a temptation she cannot resist. Within it’s borders a beautiful flower awaits.
Once discovered, Paz longs to share its beauty with her mother. To do so, she must overcome a few obstacles and reveal something about herself no one knows.”
I’d love to have other writers participate. They can choose to share proceeds from the sale of their work for the whole week, just one day or make a one time donation. For more information email me at missy.frye@gmail.com. Anyone can make a donation by visiting my Team USO page: http://www.teamuso.org/2012/missyfrye
I’m currently working on a women’s fiction novel that explores grief and the long term effects it can have on us. Yancy and Beth lost a great love when Wyatt Abney died and coming face to face as adults will reveal if they’ve moved on or simply moved forward.
I’m also in the planning stages of a sequel to Fool’s Journey. I plan to make a trilogy of shorts with the three main characters.
There are numerous other ideas just waiting for me to pay them some attention.
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Thank you for joining us today, Missy, and good luck with your stories and fund-raising!
