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Congratulations to Trudy Gomez! Trudy, under the nom de plume Serena Helriot, is a runner-up in the WOW! Winter 2011 Flash Fiction Contest. This is Trudy’s second time entering a WOW! Flash Fiction Contest; she received an honorable mention in the Fall 2009 contest with "Like Father Like Son." I encourage you to read this year’s poignant entry Pink Lipsticked Lips, and then return for an interview with Trudy.
About Trudy:
My name is Trudy Gomez (my pen name is Serena Helriot). I live in Glendora, California. I’m married and have three grown children. I am a resourceful person, often called to direct the flight patterns of geese heading south for the winter while dousing the flames of a forest fire with my tongue. I have had many interesting and life-affirming experiences. I played the bass at Woodstock with Santana and tuned Jimi Hendrix’s guitar. I discovered how to tickle the sun awake and how to land on the moon without a lunar module, although I made the instrumental discovery to allow one to do so. I discovered plutonium was radioactive but I forgot to tell anyone. I was the inspiration for the atomic bomb. I have spoken to the Beatles on more than one occasion and was the one who suggested they rethink the title, “A Hard Night’s Day.” Okay, seriously, I’ve been writing for years in journals and enjoy writing poetry and short stories. I love chocolate. I tried my hand at NaNoWriMo last year and completed a first draft, very exciting. I am a voracious reader. This is the second piece of writing I’ve sent out anywhere (the first being WOW! Fall 2009 contest on a dare). I love how the wind and sun feel on my skin. I find the medium of flash fiction to be particularly challenging and enjoy uncovering the zen-like realization within the larger story of life in order to make it work. I also like how it forces me to cut out the extraneous.
WOW: Congratulations Trudy! I love your imaginative bio. In addition to writing, do you have other creative outlets?
Trudy: I have a pretty rich inner life, which I enjoy exploring in journals and in meditation. I also enjoy putting together "collections" of my poetry in books with my own abstraction drawings or designs.
WOW: When did you first begin writing?
Trudy: I came to writing late, in my thirties. I've always been a voracious reader and I had teachers tell me I had talent and should consider writing but I guess I wasn't ready since I didn't take it to heart. Then, although I don't remember the circumstances or the catalyst, a story (actually it was more of a voice) just showed up so I wrote it down, practically like dictation. I've been hooked ever since.
WOW: You write both poetry and fiction; tell us a little about your relationship with each form.
Trudy: Poetry for me is a complete mystery and seems out of my reach, sort of like a guy you want to date but you're too intimidated to approach directly. Poetry just shows up or it doesn't but I definitely feel it's out of my control in a sense. Fiction and I understand each other better. It doesn't necessarily come easy but it feels more like a partnership. But I have this horribly mean critic ins
4 Comments on Interview with Runner Up Contest Winner, Trudy Gomez, last added: 8/3/2011
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Great interview. Your flash fiction piece stays with you, as good fiction should. It is understated, which heightens the emotional punch. I can see why you had to write it. Such a compelling image. Well done. Congratulations.
I love your sensibility, Trudy! I have always wanted to meet someone who can inspire such things at the atom bomb and promptly forget why she had that conversation. Whatever it was. You should turn that opening monologue into a story!
Very moving flash piece! Do you have a blog?
I have to agree with Helen. Trudy, er Serena...time to start a blog my dear; your fans are waiting.
Thank you very much. I appreciate the encouragement and the idea for a story. No, I do not have a blog but it is something I've been considering. You could be the catalyst and you know what they say... be careful what you wish for! Thanks again!