About “Apostrophe”

1. What was your motivation for writing “Apostrophe”?

‘Apostrophe’ actually started as a longer poem I started in my freshman year in college, which was a long time ago, as friends were getting into serious relationships very early. I sat it aside and looked at it a few years ago, and started revising it into these short flash sections because it seemed like a better fit. 

2. What challenges—if any—did you have writing your story?

Does a twenty-year revision process count? 

3. What is your favourite line—if any—in “Apostrophe”?

This answer would have been different at different times, but now I think; “She thinks of her daughters, of their names carved as kindling into her ribs.”

4. What do you want people to walk away with after reading “Apostrophe”?

My work focuses a lot on the things that women give away for others. I hope that stays with people. 

5. Is there anything else you would like to talk about regarding “Apostrophe” that hasn’t been asked?

Thank you for including me! 

Reading

1. What are you currently reading?

Too many things. What is sitting open right now is the new poetry collection A Violence from Paula Bohince.

2. Do you have a favourite book? If so, what is it?

I read The Testament by Elie Wiesel in school, and I still don’t think I’ve read anything that hit me as hard.

3. What is your favourite poet or author, if any?

Amy Hempel, Benjamin Alire Saenz, and many others. 

4. Do you gravitate towards reading genres outside the ones you write?

Sure. I unapologetically read a lot of smut, and a lot of fantasy and sci-fi. 

Writing

1. Why do you write?

I know a lot of people will say that it is a calling or something they have to do. I feel a little bit of imposter syndrome just saying that I do it because I have a lot of fun doing it. 

2. What do you love about being a writer?

I really enjoy getting to share  something about the way I interpret something with others. 

3. What time of the day do you write, and do you have a writing routine?

Evening and late night with the television on to something I can ignore. I have to have background noise and something distracting to switch to when I start to lag. I’ve never been able to work in focused quiet. 

4. Where do you get your ideas from?

Who knows…. Human brains are strange things. 

5. How long does it take you to write your projects?

It really depends on the project, but with fiction, I do tend to write something and then set it aside for a long time before I come back to it. 

6. What advice would you give to other authors/writers/poets?

Find a community or make one. It’s so important to have other creatives you can share things with. 

7. What project(s) are you currently working on?

I have three chapbook projects finished that I’m finishing up, and some collaborative writing with friends that I’m really enjoying.