What sparked this story?
I have always enjoyed magical realism and was interested in writing some of my own. I was keeping my eyes out for ideas, and at one point I was in the kitchen where there was a single orange in the fruit bowl. I am not entirely sure why, but I started thinking about mobile fruit and what it could represent. The story developed from there.
Tell me about Warren.
Warren is the spark that has illuminated a whole host of family strife. He is the turmoil of the exact moment when childhood and adulthood meet.
The ending here blew me away. It embodies this wonderful strangeness that’s not disorienting, but grounding. Tell me more about this moment.
The birdcage seemed the perfect absurd solution to an absurd problem. At the same time, the elegance of the birdcage image maintained the underlying seriousness of the issue, and it lent a strange beauty to Rachel’s quixotic attempt to keep the family together.
What is the best thing about a banana? The worst?
When ripe, the pleasantness of a banana’s smooth, yellow peel is unparalleled, but how easily they bruise!
If you could tell Rachel one thing, what would it be?
Stick to vegetables. (heh)
In September 2022 SmokeLong launched a workshop environment/community christened SmokeLong Fitness. This community workshop is happening right now on our dedicated workshop site. If you choose to join us, you will work in a small group of around 15-20 participants to give and receive feedback on flash narratives—one new writing task each week.