NANO Prize Interview with 2013 Judge Sean Lovelace

Sophie Rosenblum: Those of us who write know how random getting published can be; one editor might love a piece while another editor (sometimes at the same journal) might hate the same piece. Do you have something you look for when it comes to what you think “works” in flash fiction?

Sean Lovelace: You know, I spent all last year researching international flash fiction, from Japan to France to Italy to the amazing, amazing flash fiction found in Latin America (Chile to Mexico and all worlds in-between). This process really raised my standards. There are writers out in the world who devote themselves to the contemplative and deliberate art of crafting a flash fiction. No matter what the style, I look for intensity ON the page and an opportunity to read OFF the page. I think the best flash fiction resonates. It echoes. Much of this comes down to technique. Flash fiction in an intricate and beautiful machine, when done well.

SR: Is there something you will have your eye out for when it comes to judging the NANO Fiction contest?

SL: I have biases, sure. Again, this might be in the wake of my international research, but why is so much flash fiction written in a realism default? International flash seems to open itself more to conceptualism, magical realism, myth (one historical root of flash), even surrealism. I’d like to see more serious play (not an oxymoron at all). Having said this, realism flash fiction can also be captivating. I read and enjoy many realist flash authors (from Chekhov to Chinquee), and, at times, write it myself.

SR: What are you reading these days? Is there anyone on your radar we should look out for?

SL: Ana Maria Shua is amazing. As is Augusto Monterroso. The Russian, Daniil Kharms, is a head-glow, wild stuff. Re-reading Yasunari Kawabata. Just discovered Peter Altenberg. I surf a lot of online flash mags, too, and always stop for Meg Pokrass, Kim Chinquee, Lydia Davis.

SR: Let’s talk about nachos. Anyone who crosses your path on the Internet knows about your nacho obsession. The last time I interviewed you, you described the perfect plate of nachos. Let me ask you this: what would it take to ruin a plate of nachos?

SL: OK, first FUCK wheat tortillas. Sometimes people will ask me, “Sean, should I go with corn or wheat tortillas?” This is akin to asking me, “Sean, I have a free afternoon with my partner on Saturday, should we have sex or do our taxes?” The tortilla is the structural quintessence of your nachos. Corn, corn, corn. Also make the nachos and eat the nachos, one right after the other. While making the nachos, your body should be shaking with anticipation, your synapses crackling. Like a drug addict must feel when they are unwrapping a…what exactly do drugs addicts unwrap? I have this image of tin foil, the sweet odor of curling flame…Anyway, do NOT let the nachos sit. Soggy chips are the bane of nachos. I really can’t imagine anything else ruining nachos (though many things could lower the quality: inferior tertiary toppings, a lack of beer on hand, etc). Nachos are very populist. Everyone has their way. I don’t even care if you use chips right out a bag. I do that all the time when short on time. No worries.

SR: What can we look forward to from Sean Lovelace?

SL: I have a flash/hybrid collection titled “Velveeta” (tentatively, the press and I are going back and forth and I’m obviously like, “Velveeta, please, Velveeta”) coming out in 2013. After that, I’m just going to write something.