Interview with Michelle Martinez - Summer '11 Flash Fiction Contest Runner-Up

Michelle’s Bio:

Michelle Martinez is currently a librarian at Sam Houston State University. She lives with her cat but isn’t a crazy cat-lady, merely crazy. Her dachshund is currently being hostage by her parents. Writing is her passion and her future, and so is her mafia-looking boyfriend in New Jersey.

If you haven't done so already, check out Michelle's award-winning story "Unbuckling Orion's Belt" and return here for a chat with the author.

WOW!: Congratulations on placing in the WOW! Summer Flash Fiction Contest.  How did you begin writing this story, or what was your inspiration for it?

Michelle: The images from the story started out when I thought of writing something about mythology or the stars, and the phrase "unbuckling Orion's belt" just came to me and I started writing. I typically write poetry when not working on the next great bestseller, and my writing uses mythology at its foundation and, often, core. "Unbuckling Orion's Belt" started over a year or two ago as a free-verse poem for an online writing class. I found it on my flash drive and began tweaking it, and turned it into a prose poem. When I showed this piece to my mentor, he suggested "Unbuckling Orion's Belt" would actually work well as flash fiction. As I worked on this piece, I made some changes for the flash fiction contest, editing out some lengthier parts and learning more about the mythology behind Orion, which included that his mother was an Amazonian warrior. Whether what I read was an accurate version of the Greek myth or not didn't matter to me, I appropriated it anyway because of my own Hispanic heritage and the desire to make the flash fiction more personal in a sense.

WOW!: I love to hear about the evolution and revision processes of a writer’s work.  Thanks for sharing!  What do you enjoy most about writing?

Michelle: Writing forces me to drop all baggage and worries, etc. and just focus on the words and their music. So for a time, I'm completely free, and I love that feeling.

WOW!:  Yes, I often think of writing as a wonderful meditative process where everything else in life falls to the side.  What are you reading right now, and how did you decide to read it?

Michelle: I'm reading "The Vices" by Lawrence Douglas. I'm a librarian at Sam Houston State University so I'm always looking at the "New Books" shelf where I came across this work of fiction. I actually ordered this book, along with the other fiction since I purchase for Literature, among other areas, but I forget what I order, so every time the new books come out I'm excited by some terrific titles. Honestly, I liked the look of the book--intriguing cover, manageable size, and the synopsis on the back sounded good.

WOW!: What a fun job, and a great way to keep up with the literature market!  What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?

Michelle: "Quit tying your tail in knots, just write." There are many variations on this particular theme, but my boyfriend, a sci-fi/fantasy geek like me, told me to quit worrying and just write. It's a difficult thing to do, especially when you begin to think about publishing or winning a contest--you end up forgetting about the joy in the writing itself. When he said it, it really hit home because it wasn't advice from another writer or novelist or poet, but from someone who knows me so well and my tendencies to over-think things.

WOW!:  That’s great advice.  Writers can get so bogged down by the “business” of writing that they forget its joy.  If you could have dinner with one author, dead or alive, who would you choose and why?

Michelle:  Nora Roberts. Though I don't typically read romance novels those that I have read by her I've enjoyed, nor read any of her mysteries, but she has written in 2 different genres, has a steady fan base, and manages to create new characters and situations each time. I want to know how to make my own living as an author, though in a different genre. I want to know how she manages to make herself write without her hating it, without it feeling like a burden or getting stressed over whether or not it's good enough, and how she keeps going.

WOW!:  Michelle, thank you so much for your thoughtful responses!  Best of luck and happy writing!

Interviewed by: Anne Greenawalt

 

Read More »

Leave a Comment Anne Greenawalt, Runner up, Summer 2011 Flash Fiction Contest

Interview with Paulina Nelson, 3rd Place Finalist in the Summer 2011 Flash Fiction Contest

Good morning, Muffin readers! You're in for a special treat today. We'll be chatting with S. Paulina Nelson from San Diego. Her story, Seeds of Change, placed third in the Summer 2011 Flash Fiction contest. Check out the story, then get to know Paulina. We're going to dish about her story, Internet use, and teaching writing.

S. Paulina Nelson's love of the English language began with her immigration to the U.S. from Poland at age 6. She minored in creative writing, with an emphasis on poetry. Her poems have appeared in The Christian Science Monitor and have placed in the Dorothy Sargeant Rosenberg poetry prize. Inspired by her love of literature, Paula began writing short fiction last year. She teaches 7th grade English at Carmel Valley Middle School in San Diego, where she lives with her husband and son.

Grab that favorite morning beverage and sit a spell. You'll be glad you did. :)

WOW: Congratulations, Paulina, and welcome to The Muffin. As a teacher, I related to the plot of "Seeds of Change." One writing theory says that personal writing mirrors an author's life. Does your story resemble your immigration to the United States? If not, how did you come up with the idea for "Seeds of Change"?

Paulina: I have certainly experienced poverty and its way of stationing children at a disadvantage. In that regard, "Seeds of Change" resonates with me emotionally. To use an authorial cliche, I wrote 'what i knew,' but the main character and the exact setting were inspired by a video on educational funding shown during my credential program. It has stuck with me for 12 years, and influenced everything from the way I dress for work to how my classroom looks. The takeaway is: how do we expect kids to feel valued when everything in their environment screams that they don't matter?

WOW: A well-taken point. Students need to know they are valued. One of the interesting elements of the story is the dahlia, which symbolizes elegance and dignity. How did you weave that symbolism into the piece?

Paulina: The opening metaphor referencing weeds was already tucked in the back of my mind when I began writing this piece, and Meala aspires to be more than that. The seed she steals represents the tiny germ of beauty available to her and how desperate she is to cultivate it. Referencing the seed cycle project furthered the idea that something spectacular can emerge from almost nothing. Technically speaking, the short form doesn't allow room to mix metaphors, but in thinking about it, poems of mine that have been selected for publication all feature extended metaphors based on nature, perhaps because I believe that all living things are interrelated.

WOW: Personally, I like to see an extended metaphor woven through a story. It adds a cohesiveness that a lot of flash pieces seem to lack. I'm curious, I know you pen poetry. Is this your first contest entry and/or win?

Paulina: I have won poetry prizes, but this was my first foray into short fiction. I love it! In scene writing, I can focus on wordsmithing, and the plot arc falls neatly into place. Also, the end result is like a tightly wrapped package: one can imagine pulling the ribbon and having the piece pop open and expand into a novella (or longer). Overall, this has been a positive experience for me. I wrote four drafts in as many hours, sent the final off with zero expectations, and received such valuable feedback in return. I highly encourage others, especially those who have the tendency to speed toward the end result, to give this a try. You might find yourself enjoying the journey as well as the destination.

WOW: Agreed! Sure, it's nice to place in a contest, but the journey to that final destination offers so many lessons! I think the contest world has seriously opened up for writers since the Internet has grown in popularity. Do you think the Internet is a positive tool for authors? Why?

Paulina: Personally, I marvel at the on-hand nature of information these days. We no longer have to wonder; we just Google. While the impersonal aspect of that bothers me sometimes, for writing, the Internet is an amazing tool! Research at one's fingertips, the ability to submit pieces for publication electronically, storycrafting tutorials, query letter guidelines, online access to writer's groups, not to mention sites like WOW! that encourage writers to TRY . . . while it may isolate the writer a bit physically, it certainly eases and speeds up the business / technical side of the process, leaving more time for creative flow.

WOW: It's been an integral part of my freelancing business. I remember having to either fax or hand deliver stories to some of my former newspaper editors. Look how far we've come! Another thing I noticed is that you teach writing. I also have taught English and Journalism at the junior/senior high and college levels. It's fascinating to see how students learn and take that knowledge and make it their own. What do you enjoy most about teaching?

Paulina: The transformation. Seeing a student's face light up when we work together to take a sentence or paragraph from awkward to effective. When a child realizes the potential that resides in their writing, it's a beautiful thing, and I am lucky enough to witness this hundreds of times a year.

WOW: Isn't that such a wonderful feeling?  Still, teaching isn't always easy. As a writing instructor, what do you see as the biggest mistake student writers tend to make?

Paulina: Well, that transformation I mentioned? Unfortunately, sometimes it's a hard sell. Students today tend to think writing is a one-off and not a process of drafting and polishing. Also, I have to temper their desire to be creative all the time and help them meet the purpose of the writing first, then re-introduce their voice and style. And if I want to nitpick, passive voice runs rampant.

WOW: Grrr! Passive voice continues to be a problem for many writers. It's a hard habit to break, even when we age! You obviously keep busy with school and writing. What current projects would you like to share with our readers?

Paulina: This 'win' has given me the courage to resume working on my first novel, a piece about a runaway finding redemption. If I stay on track and do my best to honor the subject matter linguistically, it should be finished by the summer and hopefully see the light of day shortly thereafter.

WOW: Wonderful news! Good luck with your novel and reaching your deadline. And again, congratulations on sharing your thought-provoking story with us.

Interview conducted by LuAnn Schindler. She shares her work at luannschindler.com.

Read More »

3 comments author interview, LuAnn Schindler, S Paulina Nelson, Seeds of Change, Summer 2011 Flash Fiction Contest

Interview with Runner Up, Jacey Fortin

Jacey Fortin is a writer from New Bedford, Massachusetts. After a few years of work in the publishing industry—with forays into other fields like teaching, farming and waitressing—she is now a freelance journalist and editor in New York City. To learn more, please visit www.jaceyfortin.wordpress.com.

***


WOW: Congratulations on placing as one of the Runners Up in our Summer 2011 competition! What inspired you to enter the contest?

The cash prizes were my main inspiration.

WOW: Well, we do offer some nice prizes! Can you tell us what encouraged the idea behind your story, The Exhibit?

Jacey: I realized later that I had stolen the main idea from a story my friend once told me. It’s much altered, of course, and mixed in with a couple scenes from my own life.

WOW: Since you’ve transitioned into freelance work and moved to New York City, how are things going for you? It sounds like an exciting time in your life!

Jacey: It’s a little scary, but going pretty well. Do you know anyone who is hiring freelance journalists or copy writers?

WOW: You can always check our Freelance Job Board for opportunities! What do you enjoy about flash fiction writing versus the other kinds of writing that you do?

Jacey: Flash fiction is a challenge—all that condensing. It’s good practice for the nonfiction writing I do for work.

WOW: That's true, flash can help build strong writing skills. Thanks so much for chatting with us today Jacey! Before you go, do you have any tips for our readers who may be thinking about entering writing contests?

Jacey: If you are thinking about it, you should probably just do it. You’ve got nothing to lose.


* * *

Our Flash Fiction contest is OPEN:
http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php.

Read More »

Leave a Comment Jacey Fortin, Runner up, Summer 2011 Flash Fiction Contest

Interview with Fran Haley: Summer 2011 Flash Fiction Contest Runner-Up

Fran Haley is an educator with a lifelong passion for reading and writing. She loves symbolism and experimenting with different genres and voice. She’s lived in a turn-of-the century house built by a sea captain, the basis for the setting of “Beacon,” and a house that was once a morgue. As for her current home, Fran’s husband and two sons keep it overflowing with laughter. She would like readers to know that her eastern North Carolina roots run deep and that nothing in the world compares to the taste of a scuppernong grape.

Please take a moment to enjoy Fran’s winning story, "Beacon", and return here for an interview.

WOW: Hi Fran, congratulations on placing in the WOW! Summer 2011 Flash Fiction Contest!

I believe I read that you are a teacher—tell us a little about that.

Fran: I am a literacy coach and teacher. I love designing and implementing instructional practices which boost students’ enjoyment of reading and writing. I particularly enjoy arts-integrated literacy activities and projects, as these provide students with multiple means of “knowing” and experiencing.

WOW: When did you first know you wanted to write?

Fran: I was six years old when I tried writing my first story. I’m not sure what my inspiration was; I just knew it was something I wanted to do. My teachers from elementary school onward seemed to enjoy my writing and encouraged me to keep at it. I’ve never lost the sense of surprise that my writing should connect so powerfully to others. The greatest encourager of all was my paternal grandmother. When someone believes in you so deeply, you strive to be worthy.

WOW: That’s a lovely sentiment; I’m sure your grandmother would be very proud of you.

Tell us about the inspiration for Beacon; how did you decide to include six year old Lily and a caulbearer?

Fran: As a young wife, I lived on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in a house built by a sea captain in the early 1900’s. Legend has it that his wife died in that house. I never learned the particulars but often imagined the scene of that young wife’s demise. Lily is based on my maternal grandmother, who, as a little girl, assisted her midwife mother in rural North Carolina. I combined the elements and set the story a little further back in time for the historical, slightly gothic feel. I was researching cauls for some forgotten, unconnected reason. When I realized that cauls were believed to protect people from drowning, and therefore highly prized by sailors, I knew I had my story! I also believe in the ultimate power of love: Rebekah willed her captain to come home against the odds, and the baby will protect her father.

WOW: It all came together very nicely; I can see these characters reappearing in other short stories or expanding “Beacon” into a larger tale.

This has been a good year for you. You received an honorable mention in the Lorian Hemingway Short Story Contest and now runner-up in our WOW! Flash Fiction contest. What are your thoughts on writing competitions?

Fran: I am enjoying the competitions, as they are pushing me to finish pieces I’ve long wanted to write! They’ve also been the best exercise I’ve ever had in condensing. I’ll write a story, which is often twice as long as the word count will allow, and then I have pare it back as far as I can without losing the hoped-for impact. I’m also savoring the wonderful work of other writers in the competitions.

WOW: What is your writing routine?

Fran: Random, I confess. I have to work harder to carve out a real routine.

WOW: You mentioned that nothing compares to the taste of a scuppernong grape. Describe the experience for those of us unfamiliar with scuppernongs.

Fran: First of all, don’t let the unassuming appearance deceive you! Scuppernongs are a little larger and more spherical than other grapes. The skin is blotchy golden-green, remarkably thick. Just pop the whole thing into your mouth, split it open with your tongue … oh! The burst of richness is almost breathtaking. Embryonic wine, a touch of dying summer, a whisper of sweet things to come, something of all Christmases and bit of Heaven is encased in that homely little orb. I meant it when I said no other taste on Earth compares! I assert that ambrosia, the food of the gods, was actually scuppernongs.

WOW: Ooh, lovely! Thank you for that meditative moment.

What are your writing goals for 2012?

Fran: I have completed several new pieces, some fiction, some memoir, and am interested to see what becomes of these (they’ve gone to various competitions). I’ll continue writing short pieces for the lovely sense of closure! I also have a longer work I need to return to; I’d like to make significant progress on it in 2012.

WOW: It sounds like 2012 will be a productive year!

Thank you for the lively interview. We wish you the best in all your writing endeavors and hope to see you again in the WOW! Flash Fiction contests.

Interview by Robyn Chausse

Read More »

1 comment Contestant interview, flash fiction contest winner, Interview with Fran Haley, Robyn Chausse, Summer 2011 Flash Fiction Contest

Interview with Mary Blalock: Summer 2011 Flash Fiction Contest Runner-Up

Mary B. Blalock is a sixty-three year old great-grandmother who enjoys gardening, yard work, and writing. With a sixth grade education, she has taught herself to type and has spent many hours pursuing her passion for storytelling. To date, she has two self-published novellas and is seeking representation for a third manuscript. She was raised in the mountains of Blackwater, Virginia, and now resides in Cowpens, South Carolina.

If you haven't done so already, check out Mary's award-winning story "Time Standing Still" and return here for a chat with the author.

WOW: Congratulations on placing in the WOW! 2011 Summer Flash Fiction Contest. What inspired you to write Time Standing Still?

Mary: I had the pleasure to be introduced to my eighty-two year old neighbor lady who, over time, shared many of her life's experiences. Already in the early stages of dementia, she didn't live so much in the present as in her memories of the past, but the stories she told were of joyous times. Within a few short months of that first meeting, she became withdrawn, and shortly after, stopped communicating altogether. Several years went by without the ability to acknowledge her family and loved ones, and I found it heartbreaking to watch. I often wondered what things might be going on inside her mind. Was she aware of everything around her, but unable to respond? I found this to be most troubling for me. I wrote Time Standing Still to offer hope to those who have a loved one in this kind of situation. Even though they do not respond to your presence, keep talking to them. We will never know how much they understand or how much joy our words mean to one who has truly lost everything.

WOW: Thanks for sharing that story, Mary. That is a heartbreaking situation that you were able to express very clearly through your story. What do you enjoy most about writing?

Mary: I grew up a lonely child in the mountains of Virginia, and I learned early on that writing is something I enjoy very much. I guess the most enjoyable thing is the amazement of how an imagination can transform an ordinary day into something quite extraordinary.

WOW: Yes, I agree with that. The imagination can do amazing things! What are you reading right now, and why?

Mary: Right now, I am not reading anything, but the last novel I read was Bag of Bones by Stephen King. I really like the work of Stephen King, and when I was much younger, the Alfred Hitchcock stories were a favorite. I like an unexpected ending, regardless of the twists and turns it takes to get there.

WOW: What is the best piece of writing advice you've ever received?

Mary: Never stop trying. Never, never, never!

WOW: Great advice! If you could have dinner with one author, living or dead, who would you choose, and why?

Mary: Margaret Mitchell. I was thirteen years old when I first read Gone With The Wind, and by the time I was fifteen, I had read it about thirty times. I think what fascinated me the most (aside from the fact that it was the greatest story of its time) was this was her first novel. She made me believe that writing was not an unattainable feat; just grab a pen and paper, open your mind and see what comes out.

WOW: Thanks so much for your thoughtful answers! Best of luck with your writing.

Interviewed by: Anne Greenawalt

Read More »

Leave a Comment Anne Greenawalt, Runner up, Summer 2011 Flash Fiction Contest

Interview with Ann Swann, Runner Up in the Summer 2011 Flash Fiction Contest

Good morning, Muffin readers! Today, we'll be talking with Ann Swann from Odessa, Texas. Her story, Justice Unleashed, earned runner-up honors in the WOW! Women on Writing Flash Fiction contest held last summer. If you haven't had the opportunity to check out Ann's crafty piece, you'll definitely want to read it here. Then come back and join us for a discussion about writing flash fiction, finding inspiration, and building an author's website.

First, Ann would like to share some background information. This wife, mother, and grandmother turned to writing full-time after teaching elementary school. Ann is a member of the Abilene Writer's Guild and has published several short stories in literary magazines and anthologies. Her first Young Adult novella was published in December 2011 by Cool Well Press. And, Ann will have two short stories coming out in 2012 in the anthology Campfire Tales, also published by Cool Well Press.

WOW: Welcome to The Muffin, Ann. Also, congratulations for earning runner up honors in our quarterly Flash Fiction contest! So exciting! :) I'm just going to jump in and talk about one of the primary draws of a story - the title. Sometimes, coming up with the perfect title can be difficult. So many questions to consider: Should it foreshadow the storyline? Should it give away the theme? Talk about "Justice Unleashed" and how you came up with it.

Ann: I think the title to a story is like the key to a doorway. If it doesn't fit, the reader might not be able to get inside the story. Titles should be just a little enigmatic as well. My title, Justice Unleashed, refers to the fact that the creature doling out the justice happens to be a dog. Unleashed gives the idea that he was out of control But one must read the story to decide if old Joe was out of control or if he was a hero.

WOW: Perfect! I agree that the reader will have to decide if Joe was out of control or a hero. And that leads to the second story element that is so important in flash fiction - the twist. Your story has two unique twists. How important is it to snag the reader and then hit us with that powerful turn of events?

Ann: For me, the plot twist is extremely important. I'm one of those people who get bored easily. Plot twists keep the reader guessing, and reading. Besides, who wants to be hit over the head with the obvious?

WOW: I know I don't want to be hit with the obvious! I think the plot twists is one element a lot of flash writers forget about including, and it is an integral part of storytelling. Writing is such an individual art form yet we share our work with others. What inspires you to keep writing?

Ann: Everything seems to inspire me in some way. That sounds silly, but one of my newest short stories came about because I couldn't get soap from an automatic soap dispenser in a restaurant bathroom. That story, The Soul Gardener, will be published in an anthology Timeless,  in 2012 through Cool Well Press.

WOW: Cool! I know you have a Young Adult novella being published. Would you share your road to publication? Bumpy ride or smooth sailing?

Ann: Yes! My YA novella is an old-fashioned ghost story, The Phantom Pilot. If I were a songwriter, I would title my publication song "The Long and Winding Bumpy Ragged Road." That's a mash-up of The Beatle's song and a song by Reckless Kelly. And though it has been a long road, it's been a joyous one. I developed elephant hide years ago, so the sting of rejections never penetrated after the first few. Along the way, I joined every writer's group and writing class I came across. I also entered as many contests as possible (thank you so much to WOW!) But it was when my editor, Denise Vitola, a wonderful author, by the way, presented a workshop to my writer's group, The Abilene Writer's Guild, that I finally got published without benefit of a contest. When she put out the call for submissions to Cool Well Press, I jumped on board. Now, I have the novella in publication, as well as three short stories in upcoming anthologies. I also have an adult novel making the rounds of agents as we speak.

WOW: Sounds like a long, yet successful, journey! Good luck as you search for an agent. It's so important for authors to build a relationship with potential readers, and a website is one way for that to happen. You have a new website. What's been the biggest challenge with starting your site?

Ann: I am so TC . . . technologically challenged. I struggle with it daily, technology is the lion and I'm the novice trainer with a wimpy chair and no whip. That said, I've also started a blog and I've become a Twit. Okay, I was always a twit, but now I actually tweet things out into the ether - not always wisely, I might add. I am slowly making connections, I think. Can you tell I love a challenge?

WOW: I can!  And so do I. One way I challenge myself is to make a list of writing resolutions for the year. I also break my list down into monthly tasks. What's one of your 2012 writing resolutions and how do you plan to stick to it?

Ann: Oh, I'm so easily distracted by all this technology that I resolve to write something every day that isn't limited to 140 characters or prefaced by @. I plan to stick to it by unplugging my computer, deleting Words With Friends from my iPhone and writing strictly on yellow legal tablets.

WOW: Good luck meeting your goals! What projects are you currently working on?

Ann: Right now, I am working on a sequel to The Phantom Pilot called The Phantom in the Schoolhouse. I love the characters of Stevie and Jase, and they have a new friend named Derol Pavey who really needs their help. I'm also working on a YA dystopian short story, "Ban Dare," for a future anthology. And if I get bored with those two, there's always that file in my computer called IDEAS. But wait, I would have to plug the Mac back in to go there. Better not do that . . . too distracting!

WOW: (chuckles) I'm not sure I could unplug from technology, but I wish you well with your writing endeavors, and again, congratulations on being a finalist in our contest.

Interview conducted by LuAnn Schindler. Read more of LuAnn's work at her website.

For more information about the WOW! Flash Fiction contest, check out the contest page.

Read More »

Leave a Comment Ann Swann, justice unleashed, LuAnn Schindler, Summer 2011 Flash Fiction Contest, WOW Summer flash fiction contest

Interview with 2nd Place Flash Fiction Contest Winner, Maria Mankin

Maria Mankin lives in the Bay Area with her husband. A graduate of Emerson College, she taught preschool for five years before deciding to write full-time. She has published five resource books with Pilgrim Press and has contributed to several anthologies (under her maiden name Tirabassi). She takes great joy in writing a daily haiku journal, as well as exploring best practice for engaging young readers outside the classroom.

interview by Marcia Peterson

WOW: Congratulations on your second place win in our Summer 2011 Flash Fiction competition! What inspired you to enter the contest?

Maria: My mother, who’s also a writer, often sends me links to contests she’s entered that she thinks I might also have some fun with. I haven’t had the best luck in the past competing with her (I can’t even count how many contests we’ve both entered that she’s won!), but I so enjoyed reading the WOW website that I decided I would enter anyway.

She was so gracious when I called to tell her I had made it past the first and second rounds of judging, and then thrilled for me when I got second place (she lives on the east coast and saw the announcement before I did!). This is the first prize I’ve ever won for my fiction and I credit, in large part, her constant encouragement in getting to this wonderful point.

WOW:  How wonderful to have family support for your writing. Can you tell us what encouraged the idea behind your story, "Shades of Grey?"

Maria: Most of the stories I write --certainly all of my favorite ones-- have emerged out of compelling memories of place. My brain is filled with these little moments created over the course of my life, and sometimes, when I’m really lucky, one of those bubbles pops open and I can fit a story in where there was only a setting before.

Recalling the texture of a particular location is a tool that as a storyteller, I’m very dependent on. The church in my story was a real place--one that I spent many hours in as a teenager--the circumstances and the people who populated it evolved from a feeling about that place that I’ve carried with me for years.

WOW:  I felt like I was there when reading your story. Great job! What do you enjoy about flash fiction writing versus the other kinds of writing that you do?

Maria: I had never written flash fiction before I entered this contest. I mostly write resource books professionally, and although I have always loved writing poetry, plays, and longer fiction, I never felt like I had creatively found my niche. When I learned about this genre, I realized I had always been waiting for somebody to tell me it was okay to write a very tiny story--that, in fact, brief moments of fiction could have a place in the wide world of writing! This discovery has opened up a whole new way of looking at my writing and the way I want to share my stories with others.

WOW:  What an amazing first effort. You better keep going! According to your bio, you taught preschool for five years before deciding to write full-time. How did you orchestrate that change, and how would you compare your life then and now?

Maria: The biggest necessity in making such a major life change was the support of my husband. I spent my last two years of teaching wishing I could make a transition, but I was consumed by all the usual fears we have when approaching a life-altering decision, and in this economy, I especially couldn’t justify losing the security of the job I had.

I found myself getting more unhappy with every passing month--even though I loved teaching, I desperately wanted to make professional writing a reality. Every time the subject came up, my husband told me the same thing, “We’ll make it work --we will find a way to make this a reality if it’s what you choose.”

I finally talked to my mother about it, and she reminded me of all the sacrifices she and my father had made to do the things they loved, and she asked me if I thought they had raised me to put money above all else. I knew they hadn’t, that they had turned down lucrative opportunities when the chance to work on more meaningful projects arose. I thought about that for many more months before deciding I really didn’t want to look back on my life with regret. Some days it’s still difficult to believe I took this enormous, sometimes terrifying chance on myself, but having the support of my family has made all the difference.

WOW:  I love the idea of a daily haiku journal, which is also mentioned in your bio. How did you get started doing that?

Maria: When I lived in LA, I was starting to get back into writing after a hiatus of several years, and it occurred to me that I should start keeping a journal again as good practice. I had kept one for about ten years as a teenager and into college, but I fell out of the habit when I graduated. Everything I had written in those journals felt sort of cheesy though, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I needed to censor what I wrote there in case someone should ever read it.

I couldn’t bring myself to pick up that old habit again, so my roommate suggested I try writing a haiku every day for a year. He and a friend in New York had started their own haiku journals a couple of years before after reading The Haiku Year, a collaborative effort by six authors who had undertaken the same project. He lent me the book and I was hooked. I wrote my first on Saturday, August 25, 2007, and I haven’t looked back.

WOW:  Can you share any favorite haikus?

Maria: I’ve written just short of 1400 haikus at this point, and it’s daunting to try to pick a favorite! Here are a few written over the last four and a half years to give you an idea of how broad my definition of haiku has become:

5.
Oh Stranger in your Infiniti -
I saw your face reflected in the rearview mirror...
I've cried like that too, though not today


90.
And writing and compiling
and editing and cursing
and finally it's halfway there


1182.
Our first breakfast together as husband and wife,
I eat chocolate chip pancakes dripping with syrup
and he orders eggs and potatoes, extra greasy. Now, this, this is love.


1371.
is there anywhere more beautiful
than a new england beach at sunset
in the autumn, she asks. i just smile.

One of the most important things I’ve learned keeping this kind of journal is that it’s completely fine to take the rules and toss them out. This a record of my life, and when I look back, I won’t care how many syllables each line has or whether the topic pressing on my mind that day was appropriate for the traditional style of these little poems--all that will matter is having a record of life’s small moments to reflect back on when the circumstances surrounding them have long since faded away.

WOW:  What a great way to record daily life in a fun way. Thanks for sharing your haikus, and for chatting with us today, Maria! Before you go, do you have any tips for our readers who may be thinking about entering writing contests?

Maria: I believe everyone has an genuine, natural method of storytelling. If yours is best shared through the written word (and you’re willing to follow a few contest rules!), you should give it a shot. You won’t win every time, but there’s always the chance that your story will make its way into the hands of someone who really needs it, and I think that makes the work worthwhile.

* * *

Our Winter 2012 Flash Fiction contest is OPEN:
http://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php.

Read More »

1 comment Contestant interview, flash fiction contest winner, Maria Mankin, Summer 2011 Flash Fiction Contest