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
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I enjoyed Laurel Wilczek’s “Fairy Tales”. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Nice to see the thought process and influence behind the tale. Great article!
It has been my privilege to come to know Laurel through her writing and exchange of encouragement here at EU. While we have never personally met, she has gone out of her way to offer me encouragement, support and insight into the writing process. I have read her comments in the “Tough Love” Critique Forum and found them to be thoughtful, constructive and balanced. Her offline advice and input on my writes have been constructive and spot on. She has been kind enough to respond to my offer of a guest write at my own personal blog where many of my readers were blown away by an incredible short she wrote: http://notfromhereareyou.blogspot.com/2009/06/not-from-here-are-you-project-write-15.html. One of the huge benefits of virtual writing communities like EU is running into giving, helpful and talented writers like Laurel. Yes, I’m “gushing” but only because I am speaking from my heart and personal experience. My congratulations and wishes for great success extend warmly to her.
I always love to hear the process/intention behind a story, especially a story rich with imagery like this.
Congrats on the win Laurel!
Good grief, Laurel, you’ve got more experience in the tip of your pen than I’ve got in my whole body!
Like Michael, I appreciate the time you take down in Tough Love and the way you always are trying to share and help others along. I’m glad to see that, every once in awhile, nice (gals) finish first. Congratulations on the win, continued success with your writing and thanks for spending your time with us.
–John
Fantastic interview! I love reading what inspires author’s stories, especially when it’s as great as “Fairy Tales”. You’ve got a lot of talent in that imagination of yours. So glad we met through EU here.
Keep up the good work, Laurel!
I’ve had the privilege of working with Laurel in the MFA Short Story program and other courses at the Writer’s Village University. Her energy and talent are boundless, and are an inspiration to us all.
Congratulations Laurel, on a job well done. Everyone at WVU is so proud of you!
~Joey
I’m deeply impressed by Laurel’s accomplishment in the story “Fairy Tales,” which I found enticingly unexpected from beginning to end. How did she do that? I wanted to know. Now, having read the EU interview with Laurel, I see how well grounded she is in her craft.
Though I’ve never had the privilege of working with her in a group, I regularly watch Laurel’s writing at Writer’s Village University (WVU). Her voice is always distinct and her stories always a surprising read.
Congratulations Laurel! I look forward to seeing much more of your work.
~Shriek
Wow! What a great story and such an insightful interview. I found both compelling and inspiring. I for one am looking forward to many more of this authors stories to pull me in and leave me thinking long after they are over. A well deserved win that came from years of studying her craft.
Sam
I’ve also been fortunate enough to work with Laurel at Writer’s Village University and am always inspired by her raw talent and commitment to her craft.
Congratulations Laurel!
Kathy
I’ve had the privilege of working with Laurel in groups and other courses at the Writer’s Village University. Her energy and talent are an inspiration to all aspiring writers.
Congratulations Laurel, on an awesome win. We are all so proud of you over at WVU.
Write on!
~Debbie
Thanks Everybody!
It’s good to have so much positive support.
Laurel
Laurel Wilczek’s winning story, Fairy Tales, meant a lot to me personally in my faith and life. She has certainly inspired me with the story and her win. I hope she can continue to write both moving and subtle pieces that touch the heart. I am honored to have read her work.
Also, great interview. Its helpful for a young writer to receive this kind of insight into a contests winner’s piece.
Paige Clarke
Whenever and wherever I’ve previously read Laurel Wilczek’s work, it’s never been too short of an eye-opening cadence across the rapidly shrinking page… Eventually I end up wishing (and knowing) more of her words could go on to never end. But it is the precise and knife-like quality of her reaching for us (and our minds’ eyes) by “how it will” and “why it will,” that makes it part of an experience that we seem to remember, and seem to hide in plain sight. Beneath all of her interpretative weaving, she’s found the truest thread within her craft to be the insight that the ‘magic’ can create. Laurel Wilczek has fairy dust up her sleeve just for the right occasions – the occasions of the poor, the dirty, the lonely and the longing. And most of all, her magic pays tribute to the life of the person. Any person has been written about. But any person and a half…
It’s been too long since I’ve seen a writer of Laurel Wilczek’s same talent take a person, and strip them to the bone with the magic they can’t believe in, or that they fear to believe in. It’s been too long since I’ve read anything about the twin we all possess in a mirror, the other side and the other face, and all that magic and imagination that is realer than real and unTOUCHABLE. I want to encourage her, without any doubt, to tailor this deeply unique and enriching ‘fairy tales’ avenue that will only help us to learn from what she can feel there. I want to remind her that she is our eyes, and our memory. We can’t help but believe in her magic.
Well I call dibs on discovering this fine talent.
I met Raven a little over four years ago at F2K (Fiction 2000 FREE writing course.) Her writing blew me away and I told her, “Girl, you are going places!”
Often she says she finds inspiration in my words but it is she who does the inspiring! I’ve watched her go through courses at WVU alone and in a group, I’ve watched as she soared through the ‘target’ courses like From Where you Dream all the way down to Sentence Structure. This woman is persistent and willing to do what it takes to get where she wants to be.
A great article on a great awe inspiring woman who deserves the accolades. She’ll be on our bookshelves for many years to come!
Love you Raven! Keep at it no matter what! Write write write! You’re a unique talent. Don’t ever think anything less!
~Joni
Coming in late to say how much I enjoyed the interview and Laurel’s story–and all the other writing I’ve seen from her, including the stories from way back in the day at A Novel Approach (I think that’s what it was called).
Like I said before, I’m not surprised about this.
Hi Laurel,
Just want to post a note – really proud of you. Congrats
Love, your bother….
You see? Mom’s right, I DO live in my own little world. But it’s okay. They know me here.
Thanks for visiting, little brother.
Love,
Laurel
It’s fascinating to read the genesis of a successful story like this one, especially in terms of the hard work that is involved in growing as a writer. All too often I read a wonderful story and think the words just flowed from the fingers to the computer, forgetting that writing is a craft and an art that must be constantly practised and refined.
As a writer who is nervous of online competitions, I will benefit from Laurel’s specific advice about these.
I met Raven at f2k, then in Writers Village University. Very talented, indeed! Ray Bradbury is one of my favorite authors, too; his poetic style of prose makes reading his short stories and novels a treat.
Great interview, Raven! :)
Your story-telling has always awed me but I thought I was biased. As it’s already been 15 minutes trying to express my thoughts, I will merely tell you how proud I am that your discoveries and perseverence in the craft you so love give others joy and inspiration, and also challenges to your soul. Your constructive and positive directions and graceful reception of the same inspire me to try to grow as a person (albeit lazy one) :D Good Work!!
Congratulations! I enjoyed reading your thoughts/advice on the writing process. I’ve always cherished reading snippets of your work, but I also love you as an oral storyteller! Your intensity, imagination and enthusiasm for your work shines through in all that you do.
Laurel has shown us at the Writer’s Village University (http://writersvillage.com) a most astonishing ability to use the full resources of an online place where anyone that would wish to master this craft (just that, no more, no less) – and then has given us the privilege of her own ingenuity in creating tales that surpass the “lessons”: She is a writer, in the fullest sense of the word: This is not Raven’s first tale and most certainly will not be her last …
:)Q
Hello Laurel,
Wonderful interview! So good to see this happening to one of our own at WVU. Congratulations!
Best.
Marli
Hi Laurel
It was a wonderful interview and we have only really had one conversation together, but we all know everyone from WVU is special.
Great job
Ricky a.k.a. Greywulf a.k.a. Dragon Lady :)
What a great approach, Raven. Congratulations!
Donna
It gives me tremendous pleasure to congratulate Ravenne on her wonderful story and insightful interview.
I am not at all surprised by her success – only that it did not come sooner.
From the moment of making her acquaintance during an F2K free writing course (well worth checking out) a couple of years ago, I became impressed by the quality of her writing and her willingness to assist and inspire others (including me) to emulate the high standard she displayed. I am personally indebted to Ravenne for re-kindling my own writing enthusiasm at a time when I was on the verge of giving up.
Our paths merge occasionally at http://www.writersvillage.com (the WVU – definitely worth becoming a member), and Ravenne never ceases her commitment and dedication to her chosen craft, of which, as you are well aware, she is already an accomplished practitioner.
Make a note of her name – it is a name you will hear time and time again – a name destined for great things. And count yourself fortunate indeed if you are privileged to be in her company, and absorb some of her wisdom. Even better if, like me, you can regard yourself as one of her friends.
So, once again, congratulations, Laurel – and congratulations to those voters who recognised real talent when they read it – and congratulations to EU for giving Laurel a platform on which to stand and receive due recognition.
John ‘Grumps’ Hamshare.