Interview with William VanderHorst: Summer 2024 Flash Fiction Contest Runner Up

William’s Bio: 

William VanderHorst is a Georgia native who has spent most of his life in the mountains of Rabun County. An avid hiker and lover of the outdoors, he spends much of his free time filming the many waterfalls of the Appalachian Mountains as well as gardening. Making a living in manufacturing, he juggles his time to allow for his creative side to flourish. A lover of and writer in fantasy, science fiction, and horror, he dreams of one day joining the ranks of J. R. R. Tolkien, J. K. Rowling, and Stephen King. 

Having taken to writing since his early years in high school, William has a number of projects under his belt including a dark fantasy, five book series titled The Symphony of Shadows as well as a new horror series titled Feral America. Along with his list of self-published works, he has also been named an honorable mention in the Writers of the Future short story contest on three consecutive entries. 

William currently lives in the beautiful north Georgia mountains with his wife and their two sons. 

----------interview with Sue Bradford Edwards----------

WOW: What was your inspiration for “Monsters Are Not Real?” 

William: My inspiration for most of my stories and novels come from a lifelong love of anything fantasy or science fiction. Everything from tabletop gaming in Dungeons and Dragons, books by the greatest fantasy minds in the business, and movies that brought those books to life. Anything I can roll around in my head for a while could one day work its way onto paper. 

WOW: Revision is such a big part of the writing process. How did your story change from first draft to the version you submitted to the WOW! flash competition? 

William: Honestly, the finished product was the first draft for this story in question. I sat down with an image in my head and tried to describe what I was feeling as I placed myself in the scene. When I was finished, I reread the scene several times. In the end, I was satisfied and I felt like it captured the feelings I would have were it me in the place of the character. 

WOW: I'm not ashamed to say it. Considering that was draft one, I'm a little jealous!  We never learn the name of the narrator. Why did you decide to withhold that piece of information? What do you want readers to discern about him from the story? 

William: My hope was that by leaving the narrator anonymous, the reader would be able to put whoever they wanted in the place of the soldier. Some of my favorite works have been those that allow me to imagine myself as either the hero or the villain when I am reading. 

WOW:  I love a good villain. You’ve created both novel length work and flash.  What advice do you have for writers who are working to write in multiple forms? 

William: For the longest time, I was only interested in writing novels and full length stories. I started to realize that by focusing on only writing longer works, I found myself regularly hitting blocks or stumbling even with chapters I had diligently planned beforehand. Once a friend suggested trying my hand at writing short stories for numerous competitions, I realized that taking small breaks helped to clear my head and keep creative juices flowing. 

WOW:  Excellent advice! You’ve chosen to self-publish your novels. What do you wish someone had told you about self-publishing that you would like to share with our readers? 

William: For me, my initial dream was to be picked up by an excellent agent and shown to every large publisher in the business but as time went by, I began to set more realistic goals for myself. I realized it was more important to me to get my stories out to an audience than it was to chase the allure of fame. With self publishing that dream became a reality. Out of everything, I would say the biggest hurdle with self publishing is that you are also in charge of marketing and distributing your work. This can be challenging but worth the effort in the end.

WOW: I know that our readers will be heading over to Amazon to check out your work, so I'll make it easy for them to just click here.  Thank you for taking time to discuss your process and your enthusiasm for science fiction and fantasy with us! 

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Interview with Jane Cleere Johnson: Summer 2024 Flash Fiction Contest Runner Up

Jane’s Bio: Jane Cleere Johnson has been a member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) for over 30 years and has been published in children’s magazines like The Friend and knowonder! Jane’s first Indie tween fantasy The Legends of Caraigdun: Quest to Slay the Dragon was released to global distribution through IngramSpark in September. Jane is currently working on developing her picture book manuscripts and is working on a middle grade novel. Every now and then Jane feels the muse singing to her, “write for adults.” She knows she can appease the Goddess by writing flash fiction. Way back in the beginnings of WOW!—in 2007, Jane was honored and ecstatic to be awarded 1st place for her story "Funding a Memory." She has submitted to WOW! on and off since then, has recently been awarded honorable mention for her story "The Haunting" and has been grateful for the opportunity to have her stories critiqued by the insightful women of WOW! When Jane is not writing she enjoys spending time with her family, reading (especially picture books to her nine grandkids), and going for walks on crisp autumn days. You can read more about Jane and purchase her debut novel on her website Mushroom Manor Books. 

If you haven't done so already, check out Jane's award winning story "Never Too Late" and then return here for a chat with the author. 

WOW: Congratulations on placing in the Summer 2024 Flash Fiction Contest! What excited you most about writing this story? 

Jane: This story came from an idea I had many years ago and I was excited to submit to WOW, get an excellent critique last year, make some revisions, and place with this story. It was a fun task, to fit this tale of love into a flash fiction format. 

WOW: Excellent! We’re so glad you found the critique beneficial and that you resubmitted! What did you learn about yourself or your writing while crafting this piece? 

Jane: This story came from deep within my heart, a tender heart that loves people and still believes in soul mates. David and Margaret and the beginnings of their story sat in a file for many years. Their story needed to be told! What I learned is to look through all my files because there are a lot of good ideas and first drafts in there. 

WOW: From your bio, it sounds like much of your writing has been for children. Why do you think you’ve been called to write for adults through flash fiction recently? What differences and similarities do you see between writing for children and adults? 

Jane: I have written many short stories aimed at children's magazines over the years, but every once in a while, an idea pops in my head that is about adults. Flash fiction is perfect for me, especially as I've gotten older and feel that there's no way I could remember enough to write a novel! I write for children because I know children. There is rarely a day that has gone by in my life that I wasn't with children. Even in college I volunteered with children and youth. So, I write what I know and for those I know. Writing for adults doesn't come as naturally for me. 

WOW: What are you reading right now, and why did you choose to read it? 

Jane: This question makes me smile. I always seem to have at least three books that I'm reading at once. I am reading Atomic Habits. I'm 61 and even though they say you can't teach a dog new tricks, I'm retired and want to focus on getting in shape, eating more healthily, and writing. I'm learning some great concepts! I'm also reading Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott which was recommended to me by my oldest daughter and a great read for writers! And, I'm re-reading The Hobbit, because I can and it's so much fun! 

WOW: What a great array of classics from different genres! If you could give your younger self one piece of writing advice, what would it be and why? 

Jane: Write. Revise. Submit. Repeat. My writing literally got buried many times over the years. I kept little yellow notepads and wrote down so many ideas, beginnings, and I typed up so many first drafts, first chapters, even got up to 5th and 10th chapters on some YA, and Middle Grade attempts, but life would get in the way. I'd get distracted. There was work, rearing six children, and lots of volunteering and now my brain doesn't work the way it did even five years ago. So, I would tell myself and everyone out there. Write. Write while you're young. Write while you can. 

WOW: Great advice, and I love the idea of mining your old drafts for gems to work with. Anything else you’d like to add? 

Jane: WOW is always in my mind as a place to submit. I really value the critiques I've gotten. Your words of encouragement are a boon to my soul. Thank you. So much. 

WOW: You are very welcome! Thank you for sharing your story and your inspiring responses with us. Happy writing! 

Interviewed by Anne Greenawalt, founder and editor-in-chief of Sport Stories Press, which publishes sports books by, for, and about sportswomen and amateur athletes and offers developmental editing and ghostwriting services to partially fund the press. Connect on Twitter @greenmachine459.

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Interview with Marilyn Filewood, Runner-Up in the WOW! Summer ’24 Flash Fiction Contest

Marilyn’s Bio:

I came to writing late in life, partly motivated by increasing hearing loss which meant I could no longer have work or hobbies which involve a great deal of talking to other humans, as did my previous career as a lawyer.

A year after starting to write, I won, on my fourth attempt, the weekly Reedsy short story contest with "Come in Spinner" (contest 180), in 2023. Encouraged, stunned and fortified by the realisation that someone might enjoy my writing, I have completed a novel, which has taken two tortuous years. It is as yet unpublished, and I can only hope this is a temporary state. My grand ambition is historical fiction. 

I am privileged to live on the beautiful and warm east coast of New South Wales, Australia, with three generations, including grandchildren, in a rambling home with views of the forest and sea. It’s wonderful to see something of a renaissance (or birth?) of Australian books and film “overseas”, which is what Australians call every other country in the world, and I hope I can add to it.

----- Interview by Angela Mackintosh

WOW: Congratulations on winning runner up with your story, "Solitude"! Your story is so beautifully written, meditative, and atmospheric. I loved it. What inspired you to write this story?

Marilyn: My local library formed a writers' group a couple of months ago. For our first exercise, we were given a photo prompt, a derelict stone building being overcome by sandy desert, so I wrote “Solitude” in response.

WOW: I love how you included dialogue of the prisoner speaking to the gecko, which shed some light on why the soldier was in prison. What made you choose a gecko as the soldier's companion?

Marilyn: I was going to have him befriend a snake, but decided that was a step too far. I wanted to try to show the possibility of "redemption" by the use of kindness. We have small geckos here, they are so cute. Also, recently I went to Namibia, and was amazed at how much life there is in the desert.

WOW: What was your revision process like for this piece?

Marilyn: I try to read something through and think if anything seems "ugly" or doesn't make sense. I found I had a habit of not explaining enough background; I try to make sure it's clear what's happening - but not TOO clear.

WOW: I read you won first place in Reedsy's short story contest with your story, "Come in Spinner." Congratulations! Your bio says you entered four times. What do you like most about their contests? 

Marilyn: I love the fact that there is a lot of peer feedback in the Reedsy short story contest - but of course that's a two edged sword, if it's not very flattering. However, since starting to try to write, I've learnt to listen to negative feedback, something which is very hard to do. Generally, though, the feedback given with Reedsy is really kind and helpful.

WOW: You recently completed a novel, which took you two years. That is a huge feat! Please tell us a little about your book.

Marilyn: My book is a legal thriller. The protagonist, a children's rights lawyer, finds her life spirals out of control when some of her young clients go missing, and she tries to find them. After writing it I've realised it's very hard to give a summary of the plot without giving all away.

WOW: Summaries are hard to write, but yours sounds intriguing, and your experience as a lawyer will certainly add authenticity to your protagonist. You mentioned the process of writing your novel as "tortuous" - great description! What did you learn about yourself or your writing throughout the process?

Marilyn: At first, I was concerned I didn't have enough to constitute a plot, especially for a thriller. I did a Novel writing course, and the best thing I learnt was to throw everything you possibly can at your character, have things really go awry, and let them sort it out. It works! The best thing was, my character would get into trouble, and then in sorting things out, she inevitably got herself into more trouble. 

WOW: That’s a terrific tip! Besides that gem, what is your favorite piece of writing advice?

Marilyn: Let yourself write rubbish. Don't worry if you have no idea what to write, just start putting anything down. If you try to start with something which is perfectly formed, nothing will ever get written.

WOW: Great advice, Marilyn! Thank you for chatting with me today, and I wish you the continued writing success in 2025!

To learn more about WOW's Flash Fiction Contest, open now, visit this page:

https://www.wow-womenonwriting.com/contest.php

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Interview with Rowan Dyer: Summer 2024 Flash Fiction Contest Runner-up

Rowan’s Bio: 

Born, raised and still living in the New Forest in Hampshire, UK, Rowan Dyer (68) has spent her life surrounded by horses, dogs and cats. Widowed in 2015, after nearly 40 years' marriage, she is now part-way through an Open University BA Course in English Literature and Creative Writing, which was the original inspiration to start writing short stories. She is also trying to find the staying-power to progress from short stories to completing one of the many prototype novels currently languishing in the drawer. 

This is the first piece accepted to past preliminary entry stages in any competition, which is a massive confidence boost and still not really believable! 

Note from Sue:  This is an amazing piece so only Rowan finds her status unbelievable!  If you haven't read "On the Pier?," take a moment to experience her story and then come back to find out a bit about how Rowan works.

-----------------interview with Sue Bradford Edwards-----------------

 

WOW: What was your inspiration for “On the Pier?” 

Rowan: The inspiration was one of the prompts given to us on the Creative Writing element of the course a year or so back. I am studying with the Open University, and it's been brilliant, just what I needed to keep my brain active rather than just sitting in front of the TV all day as I 'drifted' through retirement. 

I was talking to a friend on the phone, telling her the titles and trying to think which one to choose, and she suggested going at it from a completely different angle. How I came up with the seagulls I have no idea - possibly something as unrelated as a clip from 'Vera' or 'Escape to the Country' with seagulls on the railings! 

WOW: I'm so glad your friend suggested that you try something unique. You do such a good job of steering the reader to the wrong conclusion about who or what the narrator is. Can you share with us the steps that you took to accomplish this? 

Rowan: I'm afraid I'm going to thoroughly disappoint my tutor now, but I actually did not plan any of the story - I wrote, let it all come out, and it was finished. Very little editing, once I had the idea, so the training they had been giving us must have really stuck - though I have found that if you get 'in the zone' it's as if someone takes over and writes through you. 

I have got to the end of a couple and thought, 'Wow! Did I write that?' Or written an ending that comes to me a few seconds before I write it, and surprises me when I read it back. Our creative brain is incredible - just look at all the diverse books and stories published every year. 

WOW: There are so many amazing details in this story. But with flash you must pick and choose. How did you decide which details rated space in the story? 

Rowan: I didn't consciously include or leave out any details. As I said, this was one of those rare, lucky times when I could write and put the pen down and it was done, no editing required. I just thought of what one sees on the pier - old folks, parents with babies, young kids - and what the seagulls would be looking for. 

Thanks to the suggestion from my wonderful friend, who lived long enough to read the story but died before the competition, I went at it from a different viewpoint. It made me laugh as I wrote it, so hoped it would do so for others. It was just a matter of focusing on the main characters, their aim, target and method - and sticking to the word count for our original assignment! 

WOW:  We're sorry to hear that you lost such a wonderful friend and advisor. Your bio says that you are working on a BA in English Lit and Creative Writing. What have you learned in your studies that would benefit other writers? 

Rowan: What have I learned that would benefit other writers? I think either write something you want to write, then worry about word count afterwards (in which case you will have to be ruthless and cut out so much that you really think is wonderful) or work to a specific word count for a specific publication. 

Define the story in one sentence - one. Write it at the top of the page and stick to it. Don't waffle. 

WOW:  Don't waffle!  That's going to be a tricky bit of advice to follow every day! What are you working on now? Is there someplace else that our readers can find your work? 

Rowan: So far I haven't published any of my short stories - I have a project for a set of linked ones I would like to develop, and there is a novel that keeps pulling me back, but the course is currently on Literature so that's taking priority until the next holidays. 

WOW:  Good luck on your course work!  I think I speak for everyone when I say I hope to read more of your surprising work in the future.

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Interview with Alyssa Willeford: Summer 2024 Flash Fiction Contest Third Place Winner

Alyssa’s Bio: Alyssa Willeford is a new writer based in New York City - so yes, ladies like her are a dime a dozen. She mainly works in the fields of fantasy and speculative fiction and would pay any amount of money to see a dinosaur in real life. Though she does write horror, she is such a wimp that she can’t even make it through the anglerfish scene in Finding Nemo. When Alyssa isn’t writing, she’s at her soul-sucking day job or else engaging in New York City antics with her friends, who are all very bad influences. She enjoys reading, especially classics, and cooking, especially spicy food. She speaks Spanish and Japanese, although she cannot produce a sentence in any language when she’s chowing down on a bowl of three-bean chili. You can find her writing in Dark Horse magazine and adapted to audio in Dark Nights and Spooky Tales podcast. She’s also on Bluesky and Threads - her handle on both outlets is akwwrites. 

If you haven't done so already, check out Alyssa's award-winning story "The Assessment" and then return here for a chat with the author. 

WOW: Congratulations on placing third in the Summer 2024 Flash Fiction Contest! What excited you most about writing this story? 

Alyssa: I had the idea for this story when reading about the Turing test, a hypothetical test that determines whether one's conversational partner is a human or an algorithm. Most generative AI these days does very well at Turing tests, but it isn't perfect. I booted up ChatGPT to find a single question that could stump an AI, and to its credit, I had a lot of trouble! But I did find that double entendres could sometimes stump it, as in my story - "poaching" refers to both illegal hunting and a method of cooking. That exact question tripped ChatGPT up, because when it saw the word "elephant," it assumed I was referring exclusively to the second meaning. It's only the absurd human mind that can conceive of the idea of boiling an elephant in flavored liquid until tender, and I love that. 

WOW: What an interesting experiment with AI and ChatGPT! It really makes you think about how we connect pieces of information, which can be helpful in the writing and creative processes. What did you learn about yourself or your writing while crafting this piece? 

Alyssa: I come to writing from a background in comedy, and I think this piece really benefited from that. It's very much set up like a joke. But unlike a cheap pun, it also has something larger to say about the human condition, and in this case about the advance of AI. I think bringing my comedic instincts to serious stories is something I'll try again in future. 

WOW: Yes, I agree that the combination of serious stories spiced with humor is powerful. You mention in your bio that you’re a new writer. What prompted you to start writing? 

Alyssa: I say "new writer," but actually I'm only a "new" writer in the sense that I'm just starting to submit work now. I've actually been writing since elementary school, when I would sit in a little armchair in my room and fill page after page of lined paper with fantastical, kooky stories of dubious literary merit. I've always had to write; it's something I live and breathe. I think that baby me would be very happy to know that I would actually achieve something with my writing in the future. 

WOW: Congratulations on taking the steps to submit your work! And thank you for taking that chance to share it with us. We are grateful. What are you reading right now, and why did you choose to read it? 

Alyssa: I'm reading a collection of Edgar Allen Poe's short stories. I'm trying to brush up on the classics, and I've enjoyed writing horror and creepy stories in the past. I have to say, though, the quality of his work is pretty uneven, and it's a little samey; I've never read about so many beautiful but tragically-deceased young cousins in my life. 

WOW: It’s funny what patterns you can notice when you read a collection of a writer’s work. If you could give your younger self one piece of writing advice, what would it be and why? 

Alyssa: "Writing advice" is a racket! No tip or trick or hack or cheat will work the same for you as it did for someone else. That isn't to say that you don't have a lot to learn, of course, but the best way to learn from another author is just to read their work. Nobody even fully understands how their own creative process works, so I'd be pretty suspicious of anyone who says they can help you with yours. 

WOW: Learning to write by reading is very sage advice. Anything else you’d like to add? 

Alyssa: Follow me on Bluesky: akwwrites.bsky.social! And support your local trans authors. 

WOW: Thank you for sharing your story and your thoughtful responses with us. Happy writing! 

Interviewed by Anne Greenawalt, founder and editor-in-chief of Sport Stories Press, which publishes sports books by, for, and about sportswomen and amateur athletes. Connect on Twitter @greenmachine459.

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Leave a Comment Alyssa Willeford, Anne Greenawalt, Summer 2024 Flash Fiction Contest, Third Place Winner