Ravenne's Pi

 EDITOR UNLEASHED

Flash Fiction 40 Winner Laurel Wilczek

by mariaschneider on July 7, 2009

Laurel Wilczek, aka “Ravenne,” took home the Grand Prize in the Editor Unleashed/ Smashwords Flash Fiction 40 contest for her startling, dark flash fiction piece “Fairy Tales.” Here, Laurel shares some of her writing influences and offers a few tips for getting involved in the online writing community and writing winning flash fiction.

What was the inspiration for your winning story?
“Fairy Tales” is a story inspired by the words “once upon a time.” It’s a reversal, starting at the end of the tale and traveling back to the beginning. The idea for “Fairy Tales” came to me years ago while I was exploring visual imagery and mythological symbolism. I wanted to build a scene in which the symbolic imagery enhanced the story, creating a voice that was both modern and lyrical. The quality of the language called for a simple story line that would free the reader from the chore of interpreting the story, allowing him to enjoy the language. When I wrote “Fairy Tales” I was not writing about suicide. I was writing about love. The kind of love that outlasts the cruelty of the world, calls a child home and answers the question poised by Grace, “Who will ever love me now that I am broken?” I tried to answer that question in a way that transformed the ending from one of tragedy to one of salvation. It is my hope the readers felt the delicate change in the atmosphere when Grace’s father appeared on the sidewalk to bring her home.

How long have you been writing flash fiction and what are your thoughts about being successful in the form?
I’ve been writing short stories for more than a decade. I feel my success with the form stems from my study of the short story form. I believe a writer should study the masters of the short story genre and learn to decipher the elements that comprise a classic short story. From there, it’s a matter of learning the art of editing. I’m a big believer in training for a challenge. In my case, I’ve been at it for at least a decade.

What are your writing goals right now and how are you going about achieving them?
I’m going to continue in the short story genre. I love working with diverse characters in odd settings. My goal is to finish six of my short stories before December and begin  revising the first draft of a 90,000 word novel.  At this moment, I have three stories in the submission process.

In working towards future success in publishing, I’ve been listening to the advice of editors and agents about building a platform for my work. I’ve set up Twitter and Facebook accounts. My toughest challenge has been creating an author website. Originally, I intended it to work more as a blog than a site, but winning the Flash Fiction 40 Contest has convinced me to devote more space to promoting my writing.

Who are your favorite writers and how have they influenced your writing?
Since taking part in the MFA Short Story Program at Writer’s Village University, authors like Annie Proulx, T.C. Boyle, Alice Munro, Lauren Groff, Karen Russell, and Rebecca Makkai have sparked my creativity. Mr. Robert O. Butler taught me how to get to that “white, hot center” where I finally completed “Fairy Tales.” Brooks Landon’s teachings in “Building Great Sentences” are responsible for much of the sentence structure of “Fairy Tales.” For me, reading is a love affair that never gets stale. All of the books I read as a child and as an adult are loved and treasured, but Ray Bradbury’s “The Martian Chronicles” (read 6th grade) changed me from a reader into a want-to-be writer. He will always be my first love and my greatest inspiration.

After this contest experience, do you have any advice for writers who are interested in getting involved in writing forums and open contests?
Writing forums are excellent testing grounds for works in progress. Critiques done in the spirit of good will are invaluable. In the best forums the give and take between writers is equal. Learn how to endure the scrutiny of your work. Learn how to sift through advice for gold. Be professional in your critiquing. It’s good practice for the future when you will be dealing with editors.

Regarding open contests, familiarize yourself with the site. Check out the resume of the site owner. Read the writers. Search for quality work. Do some complimentary critiquing. Look beyond the contest to determine whether the site offers you a chance to improve your skills. Most sites hold more than one contest. Becoming a member could help you in the future. Consider the reputation of the site when choosing a contest.

For contest entries, the opening of your story matters and so does the setting. Don’t let dialogue carry the story; let it float on top of sensory elements so that the reader can experience your story at every level. Remember that it’s your job to reach out and connect to the reader, not visa versa. The least amount of words won’t guarantee your success, neither will the most. Quality will make the difference. And that only comes with practice and dedication.

For more about Laurel and her writing, visit her website. Also, you can read “Fairy Tales” and the other winning entries in the upcoming Editor Unleashed/Smashwords Flash Fiction 40 anthology available next week.

-Maria Schneider