Nancy and I are excited that writer, editor, and publisher Jason Lee Norman will be joining us for Rendezvous in the Rockies, our 2nd Colorado retreat. Jason recently took the time to have a quick chat with me.
KF: Hi Jason! Have you visited Colorado before?
JLN: I have not been to Colorado before. Not even the airport. Never had a Denver omelet.
KF: You are in for a treat. And Denver omelets are great! Tell me, what do you most look forward to at our retreat at Shadowcliff Mountain Lodge?
JLN: I’m really looking forward to meeting you and Nancy and learning from you both. It will be an honor. It’s been a long time since I’ve taken time away to devote to my own writing so doing so at this beautiful spot in the mountains will be time well spent I’m sure.
KF: It’s a lovely place to rest and commune with nature and hopefully get a lot of writing done. So, as a reader, what sorts of stories do you find yourself drawn to?
JLN: I’m really loving flash fiction right now. I love these stories that can be so brief and pack such a punch. Generally I love stories that try a lot of the things that is attempted in flash fiction. Usually it’s just a unusual premise that the writer has to keep upright as long as possible like a surfer riding an enormous wave.
KF: That’s a perfect comparison. I love that. And what is one favorite story of your own?
JLN: What a question! I have a soft spot for a few stories for sure. One that I haven’t checked in on in awhile is called Beautiful Girls. I sent it to PANK and they published it online forever ago. Even in 2011 I knew that it meant a lot to get a compliment on your story from Roxane Gay. It’s sustained me for nearly a decade now. I can’t believe it was that long ago. I’ve written good stories since then. I promise!
KF: Terrific story. No wonder Roxane snapped it up. That’s definitely something to feel good about. Is there something about you that you’d like to share that is surprising/funny/endearing/strange whatever?
JLN: Well I haven’t told anybody this one thing about me in a long time but I’m Canadian, eh?
KF: Wow, that’s the weirdest answer we’ve ever gotten to that question!
Thanks so much, Jason! See you this August in Grand Lake!
Jason Lee Norman publishes Monto Books and edits Funicular Magazine. He writes and eats in Edmonton, Canada.
Note: Spaces still remain for Rendezvous in the Rockies, Part II! Join us!
Open Your Art Flash Fiction Retreats 