38 Comments
author

Thank you, Erica, for inviting me to participate in your interview series. It was an honor being in the MicroZine!

Expand full comment

Interesting to read what you go through to write your microfiction. There is a lot to it. You're right, it's a great way to get to the point and spark the readers' imaginations as to the other left-out elements of the story. As busy as we all are or claim to be, we still need stories to take us away from our busyness. And, like you, I go for the short Substack posts for that mental rest and rejuvenation.

Expand full comment
author

We do what we can do. Sometimes there just aren't enough hours in the day...

Expand full comment

That's why this year has passed so quickly. We're all having so much fun.

Expand full comment
Aug 5Liked by Sharron Bassano

Thank you for featuring Sharron Bassano today, Erica. She is truly a "writers writer" and I often call on her for her expert and generous advice. In addition to her many "micro" pieces, Sharron also has a large collection of longer-form fiction and essays on her solo adventures around the world, all available on her site and all captivating reading.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, my hero. You made my day today.

Expand full comment
Aug 7Liked by Sharron Bassano

Sharron is a favorite of mine and thank you for this fine interview, Erica! Love her insight, her influence, and her influencers. I'd like to think I've learned from her.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you James Ron. I love your writing, too. Authentic and down to earth. A writer with no pretensions.

Expand full comment
Aug 6Liked by Sharron Bassano

So happy to have found Sharron's work through our mutual friend Justin. Wonderful to see you featured here, Sharron! 💜

Expand full comment
author

I am as surprised as you are, Meg. Ha ha ha!

Expand full comment
Aug 6Liked by Sharron Bassano

No surprise here! You’re a maven of micro-fiction, my friend.

Expand full comment
Aug 7Liked by Sharron Bassano

Great interview, Sharron. Your work reflects the meticulous editing you perform. Justin Deming is very supportive and a wonderful writer.

Expand full comment
author

I agree about Justin. A fine man with a good heart that shines from the page.

Expand full comment

Very kind of you both! 💙

Expand full comment
Aug 7Liked by Sharron Bassano

Give her a picture, and she'll work her micro-fiction magic. I also am in a writer's group with Sharron, and am grateful for her ability to inspire. With pictures, prompts, and personal stories, I am finding my way around writer's block, and into the pure joy of writing. Great interview, Sharron!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, sweetheart!

Expand full comment
Aug 6Liked by Sharron Bassano

Erica, you couldn't have picked a better person to interview. Sharron is simply special, as a writer and as a person. Great job you two. Enjoyed this very much. - Jim

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Jim, for reading this interview. It was so much fun to participate.

Expand full comment
Aug 6Liked by Sharron Bassano

Wow! Sharron is one of my favorite writers and we are in the same writing group twice a month. Congratulations Sharron. You deserve lots of recognition for your wonderful storytelling. Carol Roe

Expand full comment
author

Oh, Carol! Thanks so much for reading this. I was so happy to be asked to participate in this for MicroZine.

Expand full comment
Aug 6Liked by Sharron Bassano

Sharron, I loved reading your responses here. It’s invaluable insight for any fiction writer, and I agree wholeheartedly with what you said!

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Justin. I am so glad I met you.

Expand full comment

Likewise, my friend!

Expand full comment

This is a great idea. I'm a huge fan of short-form writing, like nthis six word review I wrote of Lolita! https://terryfreedman.substack.com/p/nabokovs-lolita?r=18suih&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&triedRedirect=true

Great decision featuring @sharronbassano, whose imagination and productivity are amazing.

Sharron, thanks for the mention, and I'm honoured to be among the small number of newsletters you subscribe to.

I agree with you about not having time to read loads of stuff. I like long-form essays, but in very small doses.

Expand full comment
author

Thank you, Terry!

Expand full comment

An excellent interview. Sharron is my favourite reader on my 'Stack. She sees things I never think of, and does nothing but encourage me and help me to believe in myself as a writer. I love having her in my corner. When I told her I was putting my story up behind the Paywall and she said she couldn't follow me, I comped her because I need that voice of reason! If she ever leaves you a comment about your writing, hold on to it!

Expand full comment
author

Yeow, Ben! I am printing this out and taping it to my fridge. You have really touched me here. You write so many interesting, beautifully-crafted stories, I just wish I had time to read ALL of them. I highly recommend Shield of Locksley, The Truth of Who We Are, The Dawn Patrol.

Expand full comment
Aug 10Liked by Sharron Bassano

'thinly-disguised inter-species romances' . . Sharron is my go to for this genre. 😅 A great interview Erica!

Expand full comment
author

Thanks so much, Ron, for this kind comment!

Expand full comment
Aug 9Liked by Sharron Bassano

It's like you have an inside track to a guy's mind! Great job with this one, Sharron.

Expand full comment
author

Wow! Thank you, Kim. What a nice compliment.

Expand full comment
Aug 8Liked by Sharron Bassano

Great interview, Sharron. You have a real skill of distilling stories into 50 or 100 words. I'm always impressed by your craft.

Expand full comment
author

Wow! Thanks, Nathan,

Expand full comment

Hi, I didn't know of microzine articles. Very interesting. Something to consider for the future.

Expand full comment
author

Thanks, Janice.

Expand full comment
Aug 7Liked by Sharron Bassano

Really informative. Love your insights….

Expand full comment
author

Thanks Wade, for reading this interview. It was quite a departure for me.

Expand full comment