A MicroZine Interview w/Jenna B. Neece

6 Questions on Microfiction

Jenna B. Neece

is writing drabbles every damn day! She writes

The Daily Drabble

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1. When did you first start writing microfiction?

Honestly, I think it was in high school. I’m 30 now, so for perspective, it has been around 14-15 years ago. I had a fantastic English teacher who was extremely supportive of my writing. I should note, I didn’t get serious about writing as a sort of daily routine until my time as an undergrad.

I have two degrees in creative writing. Both of those degrees happen to be in poetry writing, but that proves more beneficial than anything else when I’m writing microfic.

You see, poetry teaches us to say a lot in a few words. Each word counts, just like in microfiction. I tend to write narrative poetry, so I think the two just went hand in hand for me.

During my MFA, I used microfiction as a way to free up my writing brain from all the stuff going on in my head. I had a thesis to write.

2. What kind of microfiction do you write? Any specific length or genre? How often?

I write drabbles. Drabble are microfiction pieces of exactly 100 words, including a title. I write them daily for my substack, the Daily Drabble.

I also write serial fiction on my substack,

Cereal Fiction

. These pieces are published weekly. Some of my stories are known to be stand alone chapters. I like to think of every serial as a bunch of small pieces put together. After all, people read them that way.

Back to the length of my serial chapters though… most are 1000-2000 words. I have the rare piece that hits longer, but that’s not often. I have a book series, the Reba Rose Parker Psychic Mystery series. Those include 1000 word chapters, consistently, so they are a bit longer than traditional microfiction. They are still short by all standards though.

3. Describe your microfiction writing process.

My process looks like a raccoon sifting through the trash. My brain is full, and I just grab stuff out and spill it onto the page. I think microfiction allows me to write about a lot of things, so that means I can sift through more garbage that way. :)

With my drabbles, I pick my word for the prompt. Then, I write the first thing that comes to mind. After I finish, I cut unnecessary stuff out.

4. Have you ever submitted your microfiction to a contest or publication before? If so, why and where? If not, why not?

I don’t anymore. I became disenchanted with the response times. Ha! I didn’t want to wait four to six months to hear back. A lot of poetry and microfiction mags take forever. I’ve worked on lit journals, so I understand. I mean, wowzers though.

I can’t tell you where I submitted because it’s been like six or seven years ago now. Remember, I said my brain is full of trash. :)

5. What advice would you give someone who is on the fence about writing microfiction?

Do it. It can be a really challenging and freeing adventure. You learn how to write a story arc, but in tiny proportions. It will make you a better writer. I guarantee that much.

Also, it can be nice to use a micro to see if you like the characters/idea enough to write it in a longer work. I do that sometimes.

I’m always here to help you, too!

6. Share either your favorite piece or most recent microfiction that you’ve written.

Trashed

The bonfire was the centerpiece she never wanted. She’d argued about having it. After Randy didn’t show for their wedding on the beach, she decided the party should still happen.

She’d stripped down in the back of a vehicle, put on her bikini ear marked for the honeymoon, and took the dress to the bonfire meant to light up the night.

With a parting look at the last seven years of her life, she threw the dress in and watched it turn to ash. When she turned around, her maid of honor handed her a very large mixed drink.

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BONUS QUESTION: Who is your favorite microfiction writer?

Nick Richard’s

Nick Richards

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Special thanks to Jenna B. Neece for answering these questions.