Smoking With Randall Brown by Beth Thomas Smoking With by Ashley Iguanta What was the inspiration/prompt for this story? It was the idea that some wedding ceremonies begin with shattering — and all that might mean. This story is so teensy. What drives you toward such brevity? Why do you love it? Is there anything you don't love about it (brevity)? I think what drives me toward brevity is the desire to say just a few things, hopefully the essential things — and then get out of the way. I love the way brevity forces you not to be wishy-washy about choices at the same time it embraces uncertainty. I don't love that you cannot get a novel out of brevity. How long does it take you to find just the right words? Were there any words or phrases you really struggled with? Can you give us examples of the evolution of a word or phrase from "ok" to "perfect"? Oh, well, I've never gotten to perfect. I think I'm mostly in the okay range. "Wince" is defined by the OED as such: "To start or make an involuntary shrinking movement in consequence of or in order to avoid pain, or when alarmed or suddenly affected." That seems like an okay word for that slot. At one point, "it" will all come out. What is "it"? With the lack of remorse in the first sentence, and the word "fun" in the last sentence, this can be read as purposeful on the part of the narrator. Is he a bad guy? I think the narrator is also wondering to what the "it" refers. I don't think he meant to shatter the foot, but once it happened, the aftermath has him quite enthralled. Does it make him a bad guy? I think he's ready to accept whatever it is that will come out, so in that way, maybe he's not so bad. What have you been up to lately? What are your current passion projects? I'm busy directing the MFA in Creative Writing Program at Rosemont College, and that is my passion right now. I really do love working with writers and being part of their development. It's just really, really fun and rewarding. Read Instead of the Glass. Issue Thirty-Two (June 27, 2011): Bible Camp by Wyatt Bonikowski «» Instead of the Glass by Randall Brown «» Sum of Her Parts by Katie Cortese «» Cotton Fever by Brandon Courtney «» Three Girls by Trent England «» Pebble in a Pool by Frances Gonzalez «» Elephants by James Greer «» All My Friends Are a Lot Like Me by Kyle Hemmings «» Marbles Loosed by Jac Jemc «» Twining by Donna Laemmlen «» On Becoming Women by Cynthia Larsen «» Belly of a Fish by Rachel Mangini «» After Stories by Dylan Mohr «» People Go to Jail for This by Dave Newman «» Gradius by Brian Oliu «» Last Sight of Land by Heather Peterson «» You Alone Are Privy to This Vision by Eliezra Schaffzin «» The Tycoon by Curtis Smith «» An 8mm Clip of Violence by Peter Stenson «» A Morning Routine by Weike Wang «» Interviews: Wyatt Bonikowski «» Randall Brown «» Katie Cortese «» Brandon Courtney «» Trent England «» Frances Gonzalez «» James Greer «» Kyle Hemmings «» Jac Jemc «» Donna Laemmlen «» Cynthia Larsen «» Rachel Mangini «» Dylan Mohr «» Dave Newman «» Brian Oliu «» Heather Peterson «» Eliezra Schaffzin «» Curtis Smith «» Peter Stenson «» Weike Wang «» Cover Art "Doll Parts" by Marty D. Ison «» Letter From the Editors Interested in subscribing to SmokeLong's weekly newsletter? Click here. An email should be created. Send it as is, and you'll be subscribed. If the link does not work for you, send an email to imailsrv@smokelong.com with Subscribe slq-info in the body of the email (no subject is necessary). You'll receive updates detailing the release of new issues, new reading periods, contests, etc. We do not make our mail list available to anyone else.