Today I talk to Monica about her involvement in 'The Best of CafeLit 14'

 

How did you come across CafeLit in the first place? 

I don’t remember but it was probably a submission call on DuoTrope or Authors Publish in 2023.

Tell us something about your contribution to this year’s book. "

"Juniper” is a little different from my usual writing, but I couldn’t shake the idea. My flash fiction is based on a true story. I was out for a run and on the back of my crescent a couple were having a row of beautiful conifers removed from their front lawn. I had to tell the tree’s story. I wrote it in May of 2023 and began submitting it in June. I actually first submitted the story to CafeLit in October but it was declined. Then I submitted again in June of 2024 and that time it was accepted.

How did you choose the drink to go with your contribution? 

Pine needle tea seemed a logical pairing with a story about a conifer tree. I haven’t tasted it myself.

What do you like about writing short stories / and /or flash fiction? 

My first love are novels but it’s nice to write something that can be finished quickly. It’s a sense of accomplishment. Flash and short stories give authors a chance to share a story with readers much sooner.      

What else do you write? 

Most of my short stories are fantasy, science fiction , and romance. Several have been published in other literary journals and anthologies. My novels are romantic science fiction and historical romance.

Tell us a little about your life as a writer. 

I’ve wanted to be an author as far back as I remember. Even as a child, I read books thinking about how they were written. Then life happened: career, family. In 2014, I returned to writing and loved it as much as ever. I even enjoy revision, shaping and reshaping and seeing how much better the story becomes. I feel like the first draft is a skeleton uncovered in an archaeological dig. Then each revision adds a bit more: muscles and sinew, flesh, eventually skin, and you finally have a complete, beautiful story.

Are you working on any interesting projects at the moment? 

Currently, I have six completed manuscripts and hope to publish three of them over the next year. The first novel titled “Star-Crossed Alliance” is scheduled to be released in November. If you sign up for my newsletter, you’ll get a free novella right now and I’ll keep you updated on the book’s progress.

Do you have any events planned? 

Stay tuned for a launch party at the end of this year!

Find your copy of the book here