Writing is a risky venture. We expose part of ourselves with each story and must swallow our fear when sending our work out into the world. But with great risk can come great reward. Tricia Pimental has taken many risks with her writing: sharing personal information, tackling tricky subject matter, and submitting her work to contests. One of those contests she entered has paid off for her again. Tricia took home her fifth Royal Palm Literary Award, this one for her short story Pink Collar, at the 2018 Florida Writers Association awards banquet. Learn about Tricia’s unique life journey, her work in Portugal, and her tips for writers on this week’s RPLA showcase.
Tricia’s Writing Journey
I’ve loved to write since I was a child, yet it wasn’t until I had a life-changing experience in faith years ago that I felt compelled to do it seriously. So I began a memoir, but put it on hold because of the sensitive nature of some of the material. When a friend encouraged me to complete it, I did. In 2009, Rabbit Trail: How a Former Playboy Bunny Found Her Way was a First Place RPLA winner.
Once I had a taste of creating something from start to finish, I was hooked. But it sure is hard to pull the plug on endless revisions. Sometimes I wonder if any writer is totally satisfied when a book is finally turned over to the publisher.
The Winning Entry, Pink Collar
Logline: When Amanda Wright’s irritating cousin and her latest love interest appear unexpectedly, a hurtful memory is rekindled. But that’s not the only thing that will soon be up in smoke.
As a subscriber and periodic contributor to Southern Writers Magazine, I decided to enter their annual short story contest. When it won an award and was published, I thought, why not enter it in the RPLA Competition? FWA has meant so much to me over the years, inspiring me and providing learning opportunities. My intention also was to build my base of short fiction for an anthology I’m putting together.
What made the piece special for me is, I had no idea what I was going to write when I began the piece. I’d just recently heard the term “pink collar” and thought it would be fun to create a story around that expression. I love double entendres and surprise endings, and got to play with both of those elements here.
Read an excerpt of Pink Collar here.
Two Truths and a Lie, Writer’s Edition
To write well, you must read.
Every writer should journal.
You need a professional editor.
The lie? Every writer should journal. I find I rarely reread what I’ve written in those leather-bound notebooks with blank pages inviting to be filled with brilliance. You know, the ones that are like magnets near checkout lines of fine bookstores. I know it’s helpful for many, but my process is different.
To write well, you truly must read. This year I discovered Amor Towles. I cried when I finished A Gentleman in Moscow because I couldn’t bear for the story to end. I consoled myself immediately with his prior book, Rules of Civility.
I also read classics like the works of Dostoevsky, and love the writing styles of Ann Patchett and Carrie Brown. For pure relaxation—and a romp through venues in my hometown of New York City—give me Linda Fairstein. In fact, the chance to meet her at the conference was a huge draw for me. I’ve read all of her Alexandra Cooper books.
Finally, you need a professional editor. Period. End of conversation.
Other Works by Tricia
In addition to Rabbit Trail, I’ve written women’s fiction (Slippery Slopes) and a second memoir, A Movable Marriage, both also RPLA winners. I’ve contributed to anthologies for the National League of American Pen Women and others, and have been published in TFW and A Janela, the publication of International Women in Portugal.
But what’s really kept me busy for the past few years is my position as Portugal Correspondent for International Living Magazine. I’ve written two books for them, Old World Charms of Portugal and Escape to Portugal, in addition to many articles.
Coming Next from this Author
I have a concept for a novel I’d love to start in earnest and see where it takes me. In the meantime, I’m focusing on vignettes that can be used in it, or for that anthology I mentioned. There’ll also be an update on Escape to Portugal coming soon.
Recently I was a presenter at an International Living tour of Spain and Portugal, and have been speaking at conferences for them as well, in Atlanta and Santa Fe. That’s keeping me busy. The next conference is in April in Orlando, so I’ll be back on my stomping grounds again—I’ve been a Florida resident five times.
Connect with Tricia
Visit www.triciapimental.com to find out more about me and what’s on tap for the future. While you’re there, I’d love for you to follow my blog. I’m also on Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. As one who has occasionally found social media more than a little work, I have this to say: that’s just one more reason I appreciate all that FWA offers. Dr. Judith Briles blew me away at the conference. I bought her book, How to Create a $1,000,000 Speech, and intend to use it, not just to let it sit on my bookshelf. Stay tuned.
More about RPLA
The Royal Palm Literary Awards competition is a service of the Florida Writers Association established to recognize excellence in members’ published and unpublished works while providing objective and constructive written assessments for all entrants. Judges include literary agents, publishers, film producers, current or retired professors, teachers, librarians, editors, bestselling and award-winning authors, and journalists from across the nation. Entries are scored against the criteria set by RPLA using rubrics tailored to each genre. Winners are announced at the annual FWA conference during the RPLA awards banquet. To learn more about RPLA, click here for the guidelines.
