-----interview by Sue Bradford Edwards -----
WOW: What was the inspiration for “Purple Flames?”
Tara: As a nurse, I have seen time and again that a patient’s story runs far deeper than what appears in an admission diagnosis. What brings someone in for medical care is often just the tip of the iceberg. I wanted to tell that larger, unseen story and offer readers a glimpse behind the curtain at the humanity that is such an essential part of healthcare work.
WOW: Such a big part of a writer’s work is revision. How did this story change through the revision process?
Tara: As someone without formal creative writing training, feedback has been essential to my revision process. I initially submitted this piece to a previous quarterly contest for critique and took that feedback seriously, especially suggestions to remove filtering language and clarify Bridget’s motivation for leaving.
I also wanted the reader to feel what Bridget was experiencing, so I leaned into shorter, punchier sentences to heighten the visceral impact. That choice reduced the word count more than I anticipated, but it ultimately strengthened the story.
Stepping away from the piece and returning with fresh eyes, more than once, was also crucial in reaching the final polished version.
WOW: Flash is such a tight form of writing that details have to be carefully selected. How did you decide which details would have space in the story and which wouldn’t? For example, Bridget is the only named character.
Tara: I wanted the opening scene to immerse the reader fully in Bridget’s physical trauma, so every detail had to serve that goal. I chose specific sensory details and similes to place the reader inside the car with her, making her strength and determination more impactful as she pushes through both the crash and her abuse.
Bridget is the only named character because the story is meant to stay tightly focused on her experience. The other characters did not need names, as they function more as representations of roles rather than individuals. Naming the EMTs risked pulling attention away from Bridget in a moment where her perspective mattered most, and naming her abuser would have given him a presence and power in the story that I did not want him to have.
Names carry a great deal of meaning, especially in flash fiction. Bridget is associated with strength, power, and the Celtic goddess of healing, which made it a perfect fit for this character.
WOW: There is so much meaning in your choice of that name! Your bio says that generally you only let those close to you read your work. What moved you to enter this piece in the competition?
Tara: That’s a great question. I received encouraging feedback from a couple of close friends who had read another piece I was working on, and I wanted to know whether they were simply being kind or if the response would be the same from someone with no personal investment.
I chose this competition specifically because it offered critique and focused on women writers. I’ve really enjoyed reading the work of the other winners, and I found their bios especially inspiring. There were many non-professional writers like me.
WOW: We always say that you are a writer if you are someone who writes! What advice do you have for our readers who have never entered one of our flash competitions?
Tara: Just do it! I would strongly recommend opting for the critique on your first submission(s). The feedback boosted my confidence. When I first submitted this story, the editor noted that I had a lot of raw talent, which encouraged me to revise and resubmit. The critique helped me refine both my content and technique. That process directly contributed to this runner-up win and made me a stronger writer overall.
WOW: I feel like I am speaking for all of our readers when I say that I'm glad you stuck with this story and worked with the feedback you received. I hope your words encourage someone else to keep working on their writing. Thank you so much for sharing with us all!
