--interview by Marcia Peterson
WOW: Congratulations on winning first place in our Fall 2025 Flash Fiction competition! What inspired you to write your story, “Sack of Bones?” It’s a powerful piece, and I loved everything about your writing style.
Rose: Thank you so much! I'm honored (and shocked) that I won. I actually wrote it last year during my lunch break at work. I'm not sure why this specific family member came to mind while I ate some crappy hospital cafeteria Salisbury steak, but he did. He died years ago, and his funeral, the eulogy, everything felt like it was for a stranger. The only ones I found myself grieving for (and confused by) were his still-living victims, who seemed genuinely lost and torn up over his death when I thought they'd finally feel free.
I'm much older now (was nineteen then) and understand how incredibly complicated abuse is, and how victims can be left with many mixed emotions. Basically, parts of the story (like the setting, since I grew up in Hawaii) were changed, but it was inspired by a very real moment of struggling to grieve someone who had caused a lot of pain in my family.
Rose: Thank you so much! I'm honored (and shocked) that I won. I actually wrote it last year during my lunch break at work. I'm not sure why this specific family member came to mind while I ate some crappy hospital cafeteria Salisbury steak, but he did. He died years ago, and his funeral, the eulogy, everything felt like it was for a stranger. The only ones I found myself grieving for (and confused by) were his still-living victims, who seemed genuinely lost and torn up over his death when I thought they'd finally feel free.
I'm much older now (was nineteen then) and understand how incredibly complicated abuse is, and how victims can be left with many mixed emotions. Basically, parts of the story (like the setting, since I grew up in Hawaii) were changed, but it was inspired by a very real moment of struggling to grieve someone who had caused a lot of pain in my family.
WOW: In your bio, you say that you “took up writing in 2025.” You’re already having success with publications and awards. Did you have an interest in writing and make any attempts at it previously?
Rose: My twenties were busy with college, nursing, getting married and moving across the country (my husband is in the Air Force). Long hours at the hospital exhausted me so much that I didn't have energy to pursue much outside of that, especially something that can be as difficult as writing.
But things changed after having my daughter. I worked much less to stay home with her, and finally had time to breathe. One day I came across a Reedsy ad for a writing contest, tried it out, and soon started winning. I had no idea how much writing short stories could help me de-stress (and help pay for groceries!).
WOW: What advice would you give to someone wanting to try writing flash fiction for the first time?
Rose: One of my goals for this year has been to read much more, specifically flash fic and short stories. Spending more time reading than writing has actually strengthened my writing way more than I expected! I wish I prioritized it much sooner!
WOW: You’re also currently working on your first novel. Can you tell us anything about it, and what your novel writing journey has been like so far?
Rose: Last year I completed my first try at a novel, a thriller, then trashed it. I hated it! My writing style and preferences have changed so much in just a year, and I had to start over. So since late last year I've been working on a southern mystery. The south, especially Appalachia, has fascinated me since moving here, so my story incorporates a lot of Appalachian folk-lore and spiritual themes. I'm only on chapter seven, and have a lot going on this year (a baby due this summer, deployed husband, and possibly moving to Japan), but I'm hoping through all of the craziness I can still work on it!
WOW: My, you have a lot going on, and we wish the best for you and your family with all of these things! Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Rose. Before you go, can you share a favorite writing tip or piece of advice?
Rose: It's funny how the stories I think are my best and most polished don't place. The ones I almost don't submit to contests because they feel so raw and unedited almost always do well. So, don't write to sound good, or like someone else, or to win. Just write a story you can't not write, one that speaks deeply to you.
Rose: My twenties were busy with college, nursing, getting married and moving across the country (my husband is in the Air Force). Long hours at the hospital exhausted me so much that I didn't have energy to pursue much outside of that, especially something that can be as difficult as writing.
But things changed after having my daughter. I worked much less to stay home with her, and finally had time to breathe. One day I came across a Reedsy ad for a writing contest, tried it out, and soon started winning. I had no idea how much writing short stories could help me de-stress (and help pay for groceries!).
WOW: What advice would you give to someone wanting to try writing flash fiction for the first time?
Rose: One of my goals for this year has been to read much more, specifically flash fic and short stories. Spending more time reading than writing has actually strengthened my writing way more than I expected! I wish I prioritized it much sooner!
WOW: You’re also currently working on your first novel. Can you tell us anything about it, and what your novel writing journey has been like so far?
Rose: Last year I completed my first try at a novel, a thriller, then trashed it. I hated it! My writing style and preferences have changed so much in just a year, and I had to start over. So since late last year I've been working on a southern mystery. The south, especially Appalachia, has fascinated me since moving here, so my story incorporates a lot of Appalachian folk-lore and spiritual themes. I'm only on chapter seven, and have a lot going on this year (a baby due this summer, deployed husband, and possibly moving to Japan), but I'm hoping through all of the craziness I can still work on it!
WOW: My, you have a lot going on, and we wish the best for you and your family with all of these things! Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Rose. Before you go, can you share a favorite writing tip or piece of advice?
Rose: It's funny how the stories I think are my best and most polished don't place. The ones I almost don't submit to contests because they feel so raw and unedited almost always do well. So, don't write to sound good, or like someone else, or to win. Just write a story you can't not write, one that speaks deeply to you.
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