It also made me realize how unreliable our memory is—how it’s full of poorly remembered incidents, of memories that may not even be our own, and how hard the work of remembering is.
I think the stories reflect the purpose for which they were written, which was: to be read aloud to a room full of other writers at a community open mic.
“Seeing the evolution of Blood Meridian just reminds me of the value of the process: which involves drafting and revising, tinkering and experimenting, and for most writers, and certainly me, an unhurried attitude towards creative work.”
Genuine flash must be hard as diamonds, warm as poetry.
I found myself drawn to the idea of taking these big, comic book concepts and applying them to a quiet story about loss and the poison of nostalgia.
Poetry and creative nonfiction are both about associations.
The world has so many great stories, and to limit the tales based on what readers may want, instead of offering them fresh slices of life through story, is a huge mistake.
The tiniest detail is part of the bigger structure and goals for the story, always.
What was most exhilarating for me, editing this book, was “the hunt,” discovering a new author or story that took me to a fresh place.
I try to write something new at least 3 to 5 times a week, and I tell myself that it doesn’t have to be good.
