Many thanks to lovely Katherine Tweedle, co-editor of Barren Magazine, for interviewing me and asking such great questions. I really enjoyed our chat! Here is an excerpt:
KT: First things first, Kathy. You are widely considered a master of flash. What is it particularly about flash fiction that influences you to set most of your writing in this genre?
KF: Well, in the beginning, it was being able to write a complete story during my son’s cricket practice. Or during my toddler’s nap time. The more I wrote and published flash fiction, the slower I got at it. Now I see it as closer to poetry, with poetry’s distillation of image and language. That’s what turns me on about the form now, along with how it lends itself to innovation and experimentation.
You can read the rest of the interview HERE.
And do go and read the whole issue. Barren Magazine is a stunning journal, with photography, poetry, flash, CNF, and short stories. There’s incredible work there by Beth Gilstrap, Jane Hammons, Kara Oakleaf, Corey Miller, and DeMisty Bellinger just to name a few. And the photographs by Nnebuifé Kwubéi are stunning (read his interview here).
Also, FYI Colorado readers and writers: I will be teaching and presenting at next weekend’s Fort Collins Book Festival. On Friday, Oct. 18th from 11:15-12:45 I’ll be teaching “Stories in a Flash” at the Old Town Library. Then, Saturday evening 7:30-9:00pm, I’ll speak at Hunger: The Best of Brilliant Flash Fiction Anthology Launch & Awards at Wolverine Farm Publick House.
I’ll also be attending various other events at what promises to be an exciting weekend in Fort Collins. Hope to see you there!