Tori has a knack for making you feel that you know her characters. They could be friends or neighbors down the road or across the street. Very human and believable people.
Idgie @ Dew on the Kudzu
Idgie @ Dew on the Kudzu
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Meet Tori Bailey
An Interview with Tori:Q: Where were you born and raised?
A: I grew up in the rural part of Washington, Georgia.
Q: What is one of your fondest memories of growing up in Washington?
A: Going to the Mary Willis Library. I remember it before the new addition was built. Mom would take us and encourage us to check out books. I remember how spooky and scary it was walking through the big wooden doors and into the dimly lit interior. A huge moose head hung over the fire place. Tall Tiffany Stained glass windows blocked out any natural light. Then I would become entralled at looking at the different books and forget about being spooked.
Q: What made you leave Washington?
A: I moved to Athens after graduating high school and started attending Truett McConnel College's off-campus classes, while working a full-time job as a clerk typist. I eventually transferred to Brenau College's Profressional Program and obtained my degree in Business Administration.
Q: What are some of most interesting careers you have had?
A: One has been a career in Aviation as a Corporate Pilot and Flight Instructor. I worked for several years for a Fixed Based Operation at the Athens-Ben Epps Airport. This provided the backdrop to my first book, Coming Home. My second career and current one that has been interesting is being a 9-1-1 Communication Officer.
Q: What have been some of life's adventures for you?
A: Meeting my husband and moving to Middle Tennessee. This Georgia Girl tried to survive all that orange for five years. But each time I would come home to Athens, it was hard to leave. Finally, I told my husband I was going home to Athens. We moved back and as much as I love traveling, Athens will always be my home.
Q: You are an avid Cat lover?
A: YES! My children are furry and speak the language of "MEW"! One neat thing I have noticed is how many bookstores that have cats.
Q: What made you start writing?
A: The death of a close friend. We always put off tomorrow things that we should do today. Such as, visitng people and letting them know how important they are to you. Coming Home was my goodbye to this person. At the time that I started writing it, I really did not realize the adventure I was embarking. Now, characters and story ideas are always popping in my imagination.
Q: Do you always plan to use the South as settings for your books?
A: No, I always plan to use the rich flavors of the South in my writing through characters, but I would like to take them to different parts of the world.
Q: Where is your favorite place to write?
A: Usually in bed in the early morning hours. Being a shift worker, you keep weird hours. I often sleep with my laptop and earbuds close by me. So, when I wake up in the wee hours of the morning they are there ready for me.
Q: What advice do you have for begining writers?
A: Put it on paper. There's a reason why it is called a first draft and re-writes. Write what is in your head at the time it is there. Writing is like making a quilt. You start with fragments and pieces. Then you begin to piece them together to make a beautiful story.
Tori's short stories often appear on the Southern Ezine: Dew on the Kudzu.
