Author Chat: Rosalind Smith-Nazilli

Today we welcome author Rosalind Smith-Nazilli to the Ludis. She's here to talk about flash fiction, Camp NaNoWriMo, and  a bit about living life in Turkey. So make sure your cup is full and chat with us. 

Tell us about Rosalind Smith-Nazilli

Just a woman with a lot of words in her head.  I shall be 57 next month and am lucky enough to live a very undemanding life by the sea in Turkey.

I am originally from the UK but discovered this paradise about seventeen years ago, and stayed.

What inspires you to write mostly flash fiction?

I have tried and failed to write longer work but my brain has developed a real relationship with flash.

My inspiration is always fueled by a picture or word prompt.  If I don't get an immediate reaction I move on to the next one.

You have a new book available Consequential Moments, a collection of flash stories. Can you tell us about it?

Yes of course.  There are twenty-four stories, some very short and some a little longer.  They all, in one way or another result from a moment of consequence, hence the title.

To be perfectly honest, some of the collection was previously published under a different title, but I realized that I had acted in haste and withdrew it, re-formatted and sought a professional to create the cover.  I am totally happy with it now whereas before I wasn't.

How is writing flash fiction different from writing a full-length novel?

Well the best part of course is that, for me, there is no planning or outlining involved.

When something comes in to my head, I just write it and nine times out of ten it goes out as it came to me.  I rarely edit flash fiction, apart from spelling and grammar of course, because to me that is the beauty of flash, a lot of story in few words.

Do you have a writing routine or just grab a pen when the muse hits?

No routine to speak of, but the laptop is open for most of the day and night and I come and go, unless I have a deadline of course.

Like all writers I can find many excuses to veer away from what I should be doing.

You’ve signed up for this round of Camp NaNoWrimo, has the experience changed your writing at all?

Yep..  Second year running and I have pulled out again.  Just can't seem to build any depth and as always, every other paragraph was presenting an idea for a flash, so I decided to cut my losses.  I have however come away with enough work for a second book of flash.

Your stories are very diverse. Do you have certain genres you prefer to write in over others?

I do have a dark side I think.  I can't write flowery prose at all.

What are your favorite writing tools?

Shame on me.  Coffee and cigarettes.  BUT..  I have recently acquired a Galaxy Tab... and yes.. I love it.

What is your favorite coffee shop treat?

Living in Turkey the variety is not what it is in the UK..  I love baklava, but do miss fresh cream.

Do you have any projects in the works or coming events you can tell us about?

A second collection of flash is my first priority, and I have now created my own separate blog that gives a flash fiction challenge every week.

Where can we find Rosalind Smith-Nazilli? 

http://rosiesmith-nazilliwrites.blogspot.com/

https://twitter.com/MrsNazilli

https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRosie?ref=hl