Sixty Seconds with: Mark A. King

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 first timer Mark A. King.  You all already know him as the Alpha Dog behind the #FlashDogs; you’ve read (and loved!) his stories. Adding a dragony crown to his resume was inevitable, if a bit delayed. Read more about him here; read his winning story here; then take one minute to get to know him still better below!

1) What about The Count of Monte Cristo inspired your winning piece? I usually have concept ideas before FF (not that I’m obsessed). I then used the prompts to build the story.

2) You’ve been writing flash a good while but this is your first win. What’s kept you going? It’ll be a year next week for FF. I’ve had some success, much fiery love and wonderful dragony support.

3) What do you like about flash? ‘A good short story…contains a higher density of meaning than a novel contains.’ (Chris Beckett intro to FlashDogs Solstice).

4) What flash advice would you give other writers? Participate regularly. Read other stories. Join FlashDogs, obviously.

5) Who is a flash writer we should follow, and why? Too many to list. The Wall of Flame is a great place to find many.  

6) Do you participate in other flash contests, and which? 3+ times a month here (wanna stay on that wall). Luminous Creatures. Angry Hourglass. 3 Line Thursday & MicroBookends.

7) What other forms do you write (novels, poetry, articles, etc)? I like to dabble in Haiku. Does work writing count? 

8) What is/are your favorite genre(s) to write, and why? Speculative fiction. It covers everything I love and anything is possible.

9) Tell us about a WIP. My life has been FlashDogs. Little time for other things. 5K into a first novel (nosebleed time).

10) How do you feel about dragons? They’re: Magical. Wonderful. Scary. Fluffy. Cuddly, Supportive. Wise. Fearsome. Nurturing. Prophetic. Regal. Intelligent. And look brill on a mug #DragonEmporium.

Sixty Seconds with: Katie Morford

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 first timer Katie Morford.  She may be a first-time winner, but she’s no stranger here at FF: she’s won other mentions (including an HM at Flashversary); and she was part of the team from Crosshair Press featured on a Spotlight interview. Read more about her here; read her winning story here; then take one minute to get to know her better below!

1) What about the prompt inspired you to write your winning piece? The first line and voice dropped into my head, bold as brass, and I had to discover who she was!

2) How long have you been writing flash? Confession time: this was only my fourth flash fiction piece! Beginner’s luck? I’m a reluctant convert thanks to Rebekah’s prodding. {Editor’s Note: Just looking out for you, sweet Katie!}

3) What do you like about flash? I love concise, visual prose that uses atmosphere to create rich themes and characters. So, flash dovetails with my style.

4) What flash advice would you give other writers? Your most valuable asset is your authentic voice. Every writer has fears, but great writers push through it to success.

5) Who is a flash writer we should follow, and why? As a newbie, I hardly feel qualified to answer this question! I’d say Tamara Shoemaker’s work for its emotional depth.

6) Do you participate in other flash contests, and which? I haven’t yet, but I want to. I dipped my toes in with Flash!Friday and am overwhelmed by my welcome!

7) What other forms do you write (novels, poetry, articles, etc)? I just released my novel, Kenan, under pen name Karis Waters, and I blog regularly about my life and travels.

8) What is/are your favorite genre(s) to write, and why? I usually gravitate toward spec or historical fiction. More “scope for the imagination” and the setting/culture are characters in themselves.

9) Tell us about a WIP. I’m juggling a space opera with an Arabic gypsy and the Kenan sequel—featuring an Appalachian ex-hooker and Turkish assassins.

10) How do you feel about dragons? Love them—provided they heat my house in cold, wet England and forego eating me (unwelcome visitors are free game). 

Sixty Seconds with: Ashley Gardana

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 Ashley Gardana! Read her winning story here. Then take one teeny tiny minute to get to know her better in the super quick interview below.

1) What about the prompt inspired your winning piece? It had rained earlier; I added the Chief and saw a spiritual journey. The drug use came into play without thought: I’ll blame my fingers and keyboard for that one!

2) How long have you been writing flash? I started a few months ago as an exercise to keep practicing during my work breaks. I quickly became addicted.

3) What do you like about flash? In one sitting I can create a complete story. Pressing “submit” and knowing its done is such a wonderful feeling.

4) What flash advice would you give other writers? There are little stories everywhere. My advice is to observe them play out around you and put them to paper.

5) Who is a writer we should follow, and why? I am so new to the community I feel as if I’m learning about new writers every day!

6) Do you participate in other flash contests, and which? I do. I recently discovered Mindlovemisery’s Menagerie, Finish That Thought (Editor’s Note: which you’ve also just won this week!), and MicroBookends. I’m always looking for more as well! (Editor’s Note: Here’s a list!)

7) What other forms do you write (novels, poetry, articles, etc)? I participated in NaNoWriMo. After 3 years of legal writing, I felt free. Since then it’s been only fiction!

8) What is/are your favorite genre(s) to write, and why? Stories about the day-to-day life of fellow human beings. Also fantasy because I can play with the rules of reality.  

9) Tell us about a WIP. 2050s Miami when climate change is irrevocably affecting the coastline. How will the world react?

10) How do you feel about dragons? Favorably; however, if one decided to fly over my city, I’d probably run for the hills. Seems safer that way.