Ten answers to ten questions in 20 words or fewer. That’s less time than it takes to burn a match*.
(*Depending on the length of the match and your tolerance for burned fingers, obviously)
Our newest Flash! Friday winner is Phil Coltrane. Read his winning story here. Note that this is his second win–read his first #SixtySeconds interview (only a couple of weeks ago!) here. Then take another minute to get to know him better below.
1) What about the prompt inspired your winning piece? The printed text (“des soldats bleus qui viennent”), and like many others, I saw the woman as a barmaid.
2) Do you outline, or are you more of a discovery writer? I write out intricate and detailed background notes. Then the story ignores them and goes wherever it will.
3) How would you describe your writing style? I’m uncertain how to describe it. Experimental? I’m still trying to figure it out.
4) When did you begin writing fiction? Probably as soon as I could write. My imagination was always overactive.
5) Introduce us to a favorite character in one of your stories. Given the terrible things I keep doing to all of them, you’d think I don’t have a favorite.
6) What books have influenced your life the most? The Bible. The collected works of Asimov, Bradbury, and Clarke. Anything Carl Sagan wrote.
7) What are you currently reading? In nonfiction, The World Until Yesterday, by Jared Diamond.
8) How do you combat writer’s block? A change of scenery usually helps. I like to go for a walk and forget the story for a while.
9) What’s the best writing advice you’ve ever been given? “Write.”
10) What do you admire most about dragons? Dragons span every age, every shape, every size, color, and temperament imaginable. And they fly.
Flash! Friday 
I’m beginning to think #2 is universal!
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