Maura Yzmore is a short-fiction writer and science professor based in the American Midwest. Her recent work can be found in The Molotov Cocktail, Aphotic Realm, Coffin Bell, and elsewhere. 2. Are there any writing resources, such as books or websites, you’d like to recommend?Market research and statistics, as well as submission tracking: Duotrope and The (Submission) Grinder. The (Submission) Grinder is free and has awesome graphs. It is popular among speculative-fiction writers.Craft books: On Writing by Stephen King. Part memoir, part writing advice, yet it reads like a thriller!
Thrill Me: Essays on Fiction by Benjamin Percy3. If you could go back and find yourself five years ago, what advice would you give yourself?
“Yep, it’s me. Actually, it’s you, only five years older and fatter. Advice? Lay off the chocolate and never stop exercising. Also, I know you’re thinking about writing fiction, but don’t think that you can. In my timeline, it will take you another three years to give yourself the permission to try. I’m here to tell you that you can and you won’t actually suck. Not too badly, anyway. So, start now. Yes, now. Go get your laptop; I’ll wait.”
4. How do you measure success when it comes to your writing?
I’m still a relative newbie, so what matters to me right now is to write, to keep improving, and to keep getting more competitive for publication in the markets I love.
5. What tips do you have for finding time to write?
I think different strategies work for different people, depending on their personality and what else they’ve got going on in their lives. Many swear by setting a goal for a number of words written each day; to me, that sounds like a recipe for misery. Others say you can set the count low (maybe 200 words per day) and often exceed it, thereby writing every day but without the dread of failure.
I have a demanding job and family, as do many other writers, and I greatly value spontaneity, so I don’t want to put any more constraints on my life than I absolutely have to. Therefore, I write intermittently, often going weeks between completed pieces. I keep my writing muscles warm in the meantime by participating in Twitter writing games, like #vss365, and by drafting drabbles. I generally write when inspiration strikes, or when there’s a deadline for a competition approaching or a beloved magazine’s submission window closing. If you are like me and don’t want to force yourself into a schedule, I’d say enjoy the downtime and don’t worry. I work in maniacal bursts separated by periods of near inactivity, and that’s how I like it. The muse always comes back after I’ve fed it enough through new experiences, reading, and enjoying other arts (e.g., music, movies).
6. How do you deal with rejections?
I can’t say they don’t bother me, but most don’t spoil my mood for more than a couple of hours. I relate to something Lemony Snicket said in an interview: “A writer’s relationship with rejection is like that of a fish to water. It’s all that’s there. I think you should feel it and feel utter despair and then move on.”
When I first start sending out a piece, I make a list of 10+ suitable journals and the order in which to submit. Then, as soon as I get a rejection, I sigh, I frown, I might even swear out loud; I record the rejection in The Grinder and my spreadsheet, and I kvetch to some good writer friends over DM on Twitter. Then I touch up the piece if it needs touching up, and send it off to the next magazine on my list. I always have something pending.
I will say that long rejection streaks suck and it might be difficult to remain motivated. Writing is solitary, and many of us don’t receive much encouragement for it from our families and other people with whom we frequently interact in real life. That’s why the support of writers in the online literary community becomes invaluable and I highly recommend becoming part of it.
7. Do you participate in any online or in-person critique or writing groups?
I feel like there are many ways to botch a critique and only a few to do it right. A good critique comes from someone who understands your genre(s), and who also gets you and what you’re trying to say; someone who writes and edits at a high-enough level to be able to spot and articulate the weaknesses, as well as suggest possible remedies; someone who generally enjoys your writing and wants you to succeed. I have a few trusted writer friends with whom I exchange beta-reads. I am really grateful for them and their excellent feedback.
8. What are your writing goals?
Near term, say twelve months out, my main goal is to diversify, to try new things. I mostly write flash, usually dark and speculative. I’ve recently started submitting creative nonfiction and poems. These forms enable writing that does not hinge on the classical narrative arc and where I can be more playful with the language. I also have plans for some short stories, perhaps a novel draft, and to try my hand at screenplays.
Longer term, say five years out, I would like to become a member of SWFA and HWA, as well as to sell a novel and possibly some screenplays. Clearly a piece of cake! 🙂
9. What books are you reading right now?
The Tiger Flu by Larissa Lai
Make Me No Grave by Hayley Stone
The Rust Maidens by Gwendolyn Kiste
An Army of Skin by Morgan K Tanner
The Carrying and Bright Dead Things, two books of poetry by Ada Limon
10. Is there anything you’d like to plug? Feel free to share a link.
Check out my other stories at https://maurayzmore.com or come say ‘hi’ on Twitter @MauraYzmore.
