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Smoking With Beverly Jackson

Art by Marty D. Ison
Art by Marty D. Ison
What are some of your favorite books and authors?
Being Dead by Crace, Even Cowgirls Get The Blues by Tom Robbins, Henderson The Rain King by Saul Bellow, Catch 22 by whazzisname. The list is much longer than my memory.

What inspired this piece?
Ever notice how they 'water' the produce at those grocery stores? Sprays come on, and it rains all over the veggies? I thought about the produce man wearing saran wrap to keep dry. I thought about his hands in a baggy...I can't do mundane things without going 'off' in my head. Then his hands were off...And everything's a sign. Right?

Follow up question: The produce man wearing saran wrap...yes, who DOESN'T think about that? So, is the character in your story really you, Bev?
Nope. I don't eat meat.

An uncanny number of writers I've met say they knew they would be writers right around fourth grade. What is it about fourth grade, do you think?
Self awareness and a need for Johnny Foster to notice me, me, ME.

If you discovered that you lost your magic touch with words, which persecuting hobby would you take up instead, or would you just continue writing until it killed you?
I might try those isolation tanks where you lay naked in body temp water in pitch darkness until you transform into Buddha or Esther Williams.

Beverly, we know and love Lit Pot. Would you like to tell us what is new on your website? Here is your chance (So don't blow it):
Lit Pot Press, Inc., a nonprofit small press, is proud to be introducing a brand new print literary journal, "Ink Pot," which will be the headliner publication, sold in single issues and subscriptions. From its pages, all work will be passed on to its free sister ezine, "Lit Pot" — the existing 2 year old ezine, Literary Potpourri. AND we're have a 2-year anniversary celebration CONTEST (short story & flash) with big cash prizes. Check it out at http://www.literarypotpourri.com.

Read A Trip to the Grocer's.
Issue One (September 15, 2003): Pressing Hard by Marcia Mascolini «» A Cautionary Measure by Peggy Duffy «» I Watch by Stephanie Dial «» Rest in Peace by Charlotte Jones «» Mrs. Mitts by Beverly C. Lucey «» Speak of the Dead by Ann Zimmerman «» A Private Trinity by Darlene Cah «» The Chair Affair by Jade Walker «» A Trip To The Grocer's by Beverly Jackson «» I Shall Not Wear Purple by Margaret A. Frey «» Generations by Catherine Talley «» Dinner's Ready! by Linda Pierce «» How Pusch Came To Shovel by Gary Glauber «» Gerontophile: An Imposition by S.H. Gall «» Walking the Plank by Sheila Killian «» Neighborhood Watch by Nance Knauer «» Scent and Sensibility by Jeff Lindsey «» Interviews: Marcia Mascolini «» Peggy Duffy «» Stephanie Dial «» Charlotte Jones «» Beverly C. Lucey «» Ann Zimmerman «» Darlene Cah «» Jade Walker «» Beverly Jackson «» Margaret A. Frey «» Catherine Talley «» Linda Pierce «» Gary Glauber «» S.H. Gall «» Sheila Killian «» Nance Knauer «» Jeff Lindsey «» Cover Art "Purpleless" by Rebecca Gullickson, inspired by "I Shall Not Wear Purple" by Margaret A. Frey «» Letter From the Editor
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