SmokeLong Quarterly

Kate Gehan will be giving away a signed copy of her short story collection, The Girl & the Fox Pirate (Mojave River Press, 2018), to the writer of the story she selects for publication from this week’s submissions!

______________________

What themes do you find yourself returning to you in your writing?

Power structures in personal relationships, and between individuals and society. Loss and loneliness.

What do you think flash fiction can do that longer stories can’t do?

They’re a shot of espresso. Even if a piece of successful flash is quiet and lyrical, it can invigorate and elevate you to a higher wavelength almost immediately compared to a longer story. I love the efficiency of getting to the core emotion or point of action.

Can you tell us a little about your writing and revision process? Are you a fast and furious drafter or more of a slow burn writer? Do you prefer to write at home in complete silence or at a coffee shop in town?

Honestly, I’m all over the place, depending on the season and my ability to focus based on work and family obligations. Sometimes a story is a lightning strike on the page and I get it down all at once. Or, it can take me three or four sittings to craft a true first draft, and I may realize I need to blend or cut apart portions of other stories in progress. Before revising I put my writing aside for long enough so that it feels like a stranger’s words and I am able to be far more creative and brutal with edits.

I like writing in silence or with very specific music playing to match my mood. If I’m in public, I’m usually wearing headphones.

What kind of story would you love to find in your queue this week?

Heavy metaphors and sentimentality tend to be out of fashion these days, but if you can deliver either of those with modern style and vivid imagery, you’ve got my attention.