Short story writer Elizabeth Kirschner joins me today to chat about her new book, Because the Sky Is a Thousand Soft Hurts.
Welcome, Elizabeth. Please tell us a little bit about yourself.
A Writer and Master Gardener, I’ve published six volumes of poetry, an award-winning memoir, and now my debut collection of stories.
What do you enjoy most about writing short stories?
Their brevity. I like the way stories feel mortal even as I write them, raw almost, wholly vulnerable, just like us. They have more mobility than the poem, that is, they are more capable of travel, so to speak.
All stories take us from one place to another. It’s the suspension between those two places that I love, as in that space, anything can occur. That tension is something I quicken to, as I cannot determine what will happen, only allow the characters to do what they must do, given the circumstances.
There’s a great mystery involved in this process. I love the rigor involved with unraveling this mystery, or more so, being in the presence of it, as the story unfolds, one sentence at a time.
Can you give us a little insight into a few of your short stories – perhaps some of your favorites?
Since the publication of Because the Sky Is a Thousand Soft Hurts, I’ve been deeply engrossed in compiling a second collection, Learning to Hit My Mother.
Like any writer, I’m compelled to try to do better, that is, to make each story less poetic in laying out what I hope is a stringent narrative that’s engined by its characters. The insight then, is to work with what’s uncomfortable, to push outside the margins of what I think I can do until I merge into the arena of the unknown, where I might fail. All of what I might lose or gain in a story lies in this edge.
What genre are you inspired to write in the most? Why?
These days, it’s clearly the short story. Although I’d love to work on a novel, I’m not sure I could manage its ungainly structure. I tend to work in short, Intense bursts which is very suitable for short story writing. What exciting story are you working on next? It’s always the one at hand. Or revision of the one that proceeded it.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
At age nineteen, I stumbled, quite by accidentally, into a Poetry Workshop. I’d always loved reading, but had no understanding at all about poetry, or serious literature, for that matter. What I do know is that within three weeks, I was totally, euphorically in love with the writing of poems. I then declared myself a poet.
Almost fifty years later, I’m just as passionate about the work. I don’t know if it’s a laudable preoccupation, but it is my means by which I try to comprehend and make sense of the world in which I’m ensconced.
How do you research markets for your work, perhaps as some advice for writers?
There are a number of resources on-line. Submittable is a chief one. It’s important to stay in touch with what’s being published. Toward that end I’m on the list for number of literary magazines, like Poetry Daily, Verse Daily, etc.
Poets and Writers often carries listings for publishing venues, as does New Pages. In short, many rich resources are available on-line.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I have a stand up desk. I find it very hard to write when sitting down.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
My childhood was a precarious one, and dangerous. Mostly, I wanted to survive.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
The writing life is one of excessive solitude. It demands that we give our deepest attention to what’s most human, querulous, difficult, extraordinary and beautiful about the mortal condition. I think I was built for this kind of undertaking, it’s somehow in my constitution.
It allows me to always be a student, an apprentice, of sorts. It’s an expansive way to approach the world, but it can’t be done unless one takes care of one’s sensibility. It’s demanding, exacting, which Is why I suppose I love it. It also demands that one reads widely, carefully, and with great attention.
There is no writing life, unless one is an adamant reader. The two go hand-in-hand.
Thanks for being here today, Elizabeth.
Stay in touch with Elizabeth by visiting her website or by following her on Goodreads.
— Blog Tour Calendar
November 1st @ The Muffin
Join as we celebrate the launch of Elizabeth Kirschner’s story collection Because the Sky is a Thousand Soft Hurts. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy for yourself. https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
November 3rd @ Create Write Now
Visit Mari’s blog today and read a guest post by Elizabeth Kirschner about the importance of writerly habits. https://www.createwritenow.com/journal-writing-blog
November 5th @ Bring on Lemons
Stop by Crystal’s blog today and read her insights into Elizabeth Kirschner’s book Because the Sky is a Thousand Soft Hurts. http://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/
November 9th @ Mindy McGinnis’ Blog
Join Mindy as she shares author Elizabeth Kirschner’s guest post about how one’s thematic concerns or obsessions are presented, not stated. https://www.mindymcginnis.com/blog
November 10th @ Madeline Sharples’ Blog
Join Madeline as she features author Elizabeth Kirschner’s guest post about the invention and supremacy of character. https://madelinesharples.com/
November 11th @ The Frugalista Mom
Join Rozelyn as she reviews Elizabeth Kirschner’s book Because the Sky is a Thousand Soft Hurts. You can also enter to win a copy of the book for yourself. https://thefrugalistamom.com
November 15th @ Memoir Writer’s Journey
Kathy Pooler shares author Elizabeth Kirschner’s guest post about how the short story evolves. https://www.krpooler.com/blog/
November 19th @ CK Sorens’ Blog
Join Carrie as she shares Elizabeth Kirschner’s guest post about the mind behind the story, it’s circular as opposed to linear nature. https://www.cksorens.com/blog
November 21st @ Word Magic
Join Fiona as she features a guest post by Elizabeth Kirschner about her obsession with language. http://fionaingramauthor.blogspot.com/
November 25th @ The Good Book Nook
Visit Polly’s Instagram page where she reviews Elizabeth Kirschner’s book Because the Sky is a Thousand Soft Hurts. https://www.instagram.com/_thegoodbooknook
November 27th HERE!
November 30th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Join Anthony as he reviews author Elizbeth Kirschner’s book Because the Sky is a Thousand Soft Hurts. https://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com
December 1st @ McFly Book Bliss
Join Marisa as she features author Elizabeth Kirschner and an excerpt from her book Because the Sky is a Thousand Soft Hurts. http://www.mcflysbookbliss.com/
Thank you, Lisa, for posting this interview! And now, I hope to think my way back into a story which may or may not want to be written.
Enjoy,
Elizabeth