Hey dude, do you remember being twelve? Liz does, and she takes us back to that awkward time in her story “Smoke Rings.” In this flash-fiction piece our two main characters share an unspoken understanding; but like any true story teller, Liz just couldn’t leave the story. After you read Liz’s flash-fiction entry, skip on over to her blog site to read the “novel excerpt” version. Then, come on back for an interview with Liz Tucker, writer and poet.Liz is a graduate of the San Francisco State University Creative Writing program. Her short stories can be found in Transfer Magazine and soon in Tahoe Blues, an anthology to be published by Bona Fide Books at the end of 2011. Her poetry can be found in Red River Review and soon in the 2011 issue of The Aroostook Review. Liz is a sixth-generation Californian who lives in the Sierra Nevada Mountains near Lake Tahoe where much of her writing takes place. When she is not writing, she can be found anywhere outside with her husband and two children or hacking away at the cello when the weather isn’t cooperating. To read more of her works please visit Liz at her blog, http://liztucker.wordpress.com/
WOW: Hello Liz, congratulations on placing in the WOW! Spring 2011 Flash Fiction Contest! I have to say, I skipped on over to your site and lost all sense of time. You have quite an impressive selection of offerings there; your love for fiction is obvious. When did you first begin writing?
Liz: It was in 2002; one of those rare epiphany moments that we get to experience in our lives and then actually seize upon. One spring day over breakfast I decided that after briefly dabbling in the art form, fiction writing was going to be my gig. Trouble was, I had only a faint idea of how to craft a proper story. Instead of playing around with the writing process, I knew I needed a solid foundation in the craft. I needed discipline. So by that afternoon I submitted my application to San Francisco State University’s Creative Writing department and started writing in earnest that summer. I have been writing ever since, but many days still feel I have only the faintest notion of how it’s done.
WOW: You write both poetry and fiction; share with us a little about your relationship to both forms.
Liz: I consider myself primarily a fiction writer, but I am particularly interested in the intersection of poetry and fiction; how powerful language, imagery, symbolism, voice, themes, etc...is used to propel a story forward. Perhaps I will get lambasted by more established, professional poets, but I believe the two forms essentially strive for the same outcome--to evoke fresh, powerful emotions in our readers; to make our readers think.
Whether you are talking about poetry, flash fiction, short stories, novellas, novels, they all lay on the same continuum of story telling. Poems, in my mind, are the tightest of these forms. Each word, each image must count. There cannot be any excess. We fiction writers, however, are given more opportunity as we move up the story-telling
Liz: It was in 2002; one of those rare epiphany moments that we get to experience in our lives and then actually seize upon. One spring day over breakfast I decided that after briefly dabbling in the art form, fiction writing was going to be my gig. Trouble was, I had only a faint idea of how to craft a proper story. Instead of playing around with the writing process, I knew I needed a solid foundation in the craft. I needed discipline. So by that afternoon I submitted my application to San Francisco State University’s Creative Writing department and started writing in earnest that summer. I have been writing ever since, but many days still feel I have only the faintest notion of how it’s done.
WOW: You write both poetry and fiction; share with us a little about your relationship to both forms.
Liz: I consider myself primarily a fiction writer, but I am particularly interested in the intersection of poetry and fiction; how powerful language, imagery, symbolism, voice, themes, etc...is used to propel a story forward. Perhaps I will get lambasted by more established, professional poets, but I believe the two forms essentially strive for the same outcome--to evoke fresh, powerful emotions in our readers; to make our readers think.
Whether you are talking about poetry, flash fiction, short stories, novellas, novels, they all lay on the same continuum of story telling. Poems, in my mind, are the tightest of these forms. Each word, each image must count. There cannot be any excess. We fiction writers, however, are given more opportunity as we move up the story-telling
1 Comments on Interview with Liz Tucker, Runner-Up in the 2011 Spring Flash Fiction Contest, last added: 11/8/2011
Display Comments
Add a Comment
.jpeg?picon=893)
By: MP,
on 10/18/2011
Blog: WOW! Women on Writing Blog (The Muffin) (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: writer inspiration, flash fiction contest winner, Spring 2011 Flash Fiction Contest, Spring 2011 Flash Fiction Contestant Interview, Holly Bauer-Ping, Add a tag
interview by Marcia Peterson
WOW: Congratulations on your second place win in our Spring 2011 Flash Fiction competition! What inspired you to enter the contest, especially since this is your very first contest entry?
Holly: A friend had won a writing competition that I never would have thought of entering, and I wanted to see if I could do it too. I thought that having a deadline and other constraints, like a word limit, would be really motivating, and it was. I already had a rough draft of “Leave,” and when I came across the WOW! Flash Fiction competition, it seemed like a good fit.
WOW: Can you tell us what encouraged the idea behind your story?
Holly: I spent time in Montreal a few years ago, and I was inspired by the subtle difference in culture. I thought Montreal would create a good backdrop for a character like Winnie, who carries a series of conflicted relationships around with her and wishes she could start over. Louise is an amalgam of several people I met there, who are refreshing to be around because they are so relaxed and joyful in life.
WOW: I really liked the description of Louise in the story. Have you always enjoyed the genre, and how did you learn to write great flash fiction?
Holly: I can’t say I’ve always enjoyed the genre; in fact, I didn’t know it existed until a few years ago when friends introduced me to it—they were printing flash fiction on postcards you could subscribe to. I like the genre for the same reasons I like poetry—it has to be precise and condensed. And honestly, I write so erratically that the short format works with my limitations. I wish I had the time and attention span to commit to writing a sprawling novel, and I still hold out hope I’ll have the courage to commit to a project like that one day.
WOW: We’d love to know more about your writing routines. Does it involve cafes, like your character, Winnie? Any favorite tools or habits that get you going?
Holly: Caffeine is definitely key! I have always kept a hand-written journal, but it's rare for me to write in public. And the habit comes and goes—sometimes I write almost daily for months, and then months pass when I don’t write at all. Sometimes I’ll think of a phrase I want to use for a story, or a character’s name, and I’ll write it down on the back of receipts or post-it notes, which end up in weird random places in my apartment. But on those occasions when I actually sit down to write something that has a middle, beginning, and end, I use a computer.
WOW: Sounds like you've found a way to make it work in your busy life.
1 Comments on Interview with 2nd Place Winner, Holly Bauer-Ping, last added: 10/18/2011
Display Comments
Add a Comment
By: Anne Greenawalt,
on 10/11/2011
Blog: WOW! Women on Writing Blog (The Muffin) (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Spring 2011 Flash Fiction Contest, Cheryl Fines, Anne Greenawalt, Add a tag
Cheryl’s Bio:
At forty-six, Cheryl Fines is finally indulging in a lifelong love of writing, experimenting with many different formats of poetry and prose. She has written a number of short stories and flash fiction pieces, is working on a novel, and has dabbled in a wide range of poetic forms. After years of being a stay-at-home-mom, she is embarking on a new career with her return to university to study Education, which will provide her the opportunity to share her enthusiasm for literature and writing with young people.If you haven't done so already, check out Cheryl's award-winning story "Destiny Darjeeling," and then return here for a chat with the author!
WOW: Congratulations on placing in the 2011 Spring Flash Fiction contest! Where did you get your inspiration for your story, “Destiny Darjeeling”?
Cheryl: I was thinking back on a psychic fair I attended a long time ago. There were many different kinds of psychics there, as there were in my story. I am not a believer in any of them, but there were a lot of people there who seemed to be taking it all very seriously. That comes back to me from time to time - I wonder how so many people can have faith in such things ... and then sometimes I wonder what would happen if there really was something to it. It was one of these moments that prompted the writing of the story.
WOW: Wondering “what if” is a great way to get a story started! What prompted you to finally indulge in your lifelong love of writing?
Cheryl: I'd decided to return to school to become a teacher. My first degree didn't have the courses I needed for admission to the program, so I returned last year to take four English literature courses, and a history. Both subject areas were writing-heavy. I was enjoying writing so much (though of course a different style of writing altogether) that I wanted to write strictly for my own enjoyment. I found WOW - and flash fiction - and challenged myself to write a few pieces. I've since also joined a couple of online writing communities, and really appreciate the feedback and supportive environment in them.
WOW: We’re glad you found us! What do you like best about fiction writing?
Cheryl:
1 Comments on Spring 2011 Flash Fiction Contest Runner-Up: Cheryl Fines, last added: 10/12/2011
Display Comments
Add a Comment
By: LuAnn Schindler,
on 9/27/2011
Blog: WOW! Women on Writing Blog (The Muffin) (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: LuAnn Schindler, Spring 2011 Flash Fiction Contest, Susan DuMond, Add a tag
A brief introduction of today's author: Susan DuMond grew up in a children's home in upstate New York. Susan captures her rough and tumble experiences in her memoir, Present Tense. Currently, Susan and her memoir are searching for a literary agent. When Susan was the first "Home kid" to graduate high school, she received an award and ventured to Bennington College. When she arrived via Greyhound Bus, she had only a blue plastic suitcase. Susan received a B.A. in Theater from Bennington and continued her education at Columbia University, where she studied Creative Writing. Susan also has a Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Management from the University of Oregon. She is a published poet and actor. Susan also owned her own technical writing and information design firm. Susan lives in Oregon with her husband and two cats: Emmy and Chester.
WOW: Welcome to The Muffin, Susan, and congratulations on earning runner up honors. I'm curious. What inspires you to write?
Susan: I'm inspired by situations and experiences that touch my heart. Sometimes these are funny; sometimes they're like bruises that need attention to heal. I write in the hope of gaining some level of understanding about the experience that create ripples in our lives - growing up, aging, losing a baby, you name it. Although my writing is often triggered by an event, the piece that develops may become fiction and take on a life of its own.
WOW: I like your approach, especially using a trigger from real life. "Lucille's Shoes" reminded me of my mom (and my grandmother) and their battles with arthritis. It's often neglected. What's your experience with arthritis or with someone who suffers from it?
Susan: Like your Mom and millions of others, I too have arthritis. You're right, it rarely makes the headlines, but it's pretty demanding. Staying mobile and flexible takes a lot of effort, which is where the arthritis aquatics work comes in. I've been a "Poolette" (my fun name for our group) for some years now. The Arthritis Foundation trains aquatics instructors in special exercises and movements that are designed to help people with arthritis. I highly recommend finding such a program and getting in the warm water and moving around!
WOW: That's great advice! Hopefully, our readers will take advantage of this type of program. While I'm reading your piece, the symbolism intrigues me. Water washes away troubles, but some pains are too strong to bear. How did you develop the setting, which drives home the water symbol?
Susan: The setting was important to me because I both experienced and witnessed the healing effect of exercising
2 Comments on Interview with Susan DuMond, Runner-up in the 2011 Spring Flash Fiction Contest, last added: 9/28/2011
Display Comments
Add a Comment
By: Margo Dill,
on 9/20/2011
Blog: WOW! Women on Writing Blog (The Muffin) (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Margo L. Dill, Spring 2011 Flash Fiction Contest, Add a tag
The Muffin welcomes third place winner, Lauri Griffin, for her story, "The Universe's Weird Sense of Humor." If you haven't had a chance to read it yet, please do so here. WOW: Welcome, Lauri, to the Muffin--for the second time. You were also a flash fiction contest winner in Spring 2007! What gave you the idea for this contest's winning story "The Universe's Weird Sense of Humor?"
Lauri: My boys were watching Transformers at the movie theatre; I was in a coffee shop, waiting for the movie to be over. Three women beside me were talking loudly, complaining about their kids. One had a college freshman daughter who wanted to drop out of school and get married because she had met her soulmate. The other women laughed at that. And one said she wouldn't know what to do with a soulmate if he showed up finally. And my brain said "hmmmm."
WOW: Eavesdropping is a writer's best friend! How were you able to tell a complete story in so few words?
Lauri: Thank you! I tried to just hint at things, so the reader would know this is a woman who has lived a full life. Usually I wouldn't put backstory into flash fiction piece because you just don't really have the time or words. But this woman's past was the story, the hunt for someone she was convinced was there and that full life.
WOW: Why do you enjoy writing flash fiction?
Lauri: I like the challenge of getting a story into such a tiny space, Plus, writing novels is a huge time commitment--you are going to be living with that story and those characters for years. With flash fiction, you can experiment with different characters and types of stories. You can play with it. And I think it makes all writing tighter, when you try to get so much packed into so little.
WOW: All terrific points! You have also written a novel, for which you are seeking representation. Can you tell us a little about your novel?
Lauri: It's about a young woman who wants to save the world's stories, but she doesn't know her own. She has memories that don't seem to be hers and scars on her leg that no one has ever been willing to explain. She doesn't want any more stories to be lost or forgotten because she is convinced that somewhere in our fairyt
0 Comments on Lauri Griffin: Third Place Spring 2011 Contest Winner as of 1/1/1900
Add a Comment
By: Anne Greenawalt,
on 9/6/2011
Blog: WOW! Women on Writing Blog (The Muffin) (Login to Add to MyJacketFlap)
JacketFlap tags: Anne Greenawalt, first place winner, Spring 2011 Flash Fiction Contest, Michael Throne, Add a tag
Mike Throne lives in North Virginia with his wife and three daughters. A graduate of Goshen College, Mike spent twenty-five years building a wind chime company from a one man show to a factory that sells wind chimes to thousands of stores across the country. In 2006, Mike sold the business to begin working on his new passion, fiction writing. He has been learning his new craft through a course at Northern Virginia Community College, a supportive writers’ group, and Faithwriters.com, a Christian-based online writers’ resource. Mike feels that writing is his calling. Other stories written by Mike can be seen on Mike's profile at Faithwriters.com. Mike is currently working on a book of interrelated short stories, and when he’s not writing, he enjoys camping with his family.If you haven't done so already, read Mike's award-winning story "Stress Fracture" and then return here for a conversation with the author.
WOW: Congratulations on placing first in the WOW! Spring 2011 Flash Fiction Contest! Where did you get your inspiration for your story, “Stress Fracture”?
Mike: The inspiration for "Stress Fracture" came from the Faithwriters.com prompt, "Outlandish." I had an easy enough time coming up with a woman who was dressing outlandishly, but then I had to figure out why. Once I decided that she was covering bruises from abuse, I took it the next step by giving her a British persona, which she used to deflect attention from the more obvious reasons for her excessive makeup and concealing clothes.
I do have to say that Faithwriters has been quite helpful in my attempt to develop my writing skills. The "Weekly Challenge" has been a good resource in that it helps me discipline myself to write regularly, almost every week, and the feedback is always encouraging. Having my stories ranked among the hundred or so others gives me a good sense of what seems to be working and where I fall short. Also, because there are several exceptional writers who contribute, I learn simply by reading their work. It is, at times, quite humbling.
WOW: That’s great that you’ve found a writing community that’s been so helpful and nourishing for you and your writing! When did you realize you wanted to be a fiction writer?
Mike: I have always enjoyed writing, and when I was young I thought that I might write for a living. During and after college, I worked hard at prose and poetry, but didn't feel my work was strong enough to continue.
After I sold my small business several years ago, I wanted to try writing fiction. I found it to be a calling, something that I felt led to do, though I'm not sure why. I have found fiction writing to be difficult, and frustrating to the point of actually wanting to give up on numerous occasions, but then something good happens (like this WOW contest) and I am encouraged to continue.
WOW: It can be a daunting process, but winning contests is definitely a motivator! Glad we could help. What do you like best about fiction writing?
Mike: What I enjoy most about writing is when, after many hours and multiple rewrites, a story finally comes together. There is always room for improvement, always, but sometimes the stories just work.
"Stress Fracture" was one that worked, but after I had submitted it to Faithwriters and shown it to some friends, I began to have doubts.
1 Comments on Interview with Michael Throne: Winner of the Spring 2011 Flash Fiction Contest, last added: 9/6/2011
Display Comments
Add a Comment
Liz, I can see why you wanted to take the story further! Well done, and congratulations. I love how you describe breaking up your writing with different activities - especially physical ones. I find that helps too. That's why I'm not a fan of those strict "you must write for three hours a day without stopping" rules - writing is like everything in life - it benefits from taking breaks!