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Autumn Bettinger is a full-time mother of two living in Portland, Oregon. When not folding laundry or slinging snacks, she can be found writing in the wee hours of the morning before her kids wake up. Her work has been audio adapted for The No Sleep Podcast and has been a finalist for The Prose Online International Flash Prize. Her stories can also be found in The Journal of Compressed Literary Arts, On the Run, Numnum, and others. |
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Interview with Autumn Bettinger
about her story "Ducky"
Silver Winner in The Scribes Prize
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What draws you to the micro-fiction format?
I don't have a lot of time to write. With two small kids and a busy homelife I've found that short-form writing is just a better fit for me. Though, if I'm being honest, even if I had great swaths of time in which to write, I'd probably still write short. There's something electric about conveying emotional resonance and a story arc in such a small space. I fell in love with flash and micro pretty early on in my writing life, and I haven't had any desire to go longer.
Who are some authors that inspire you?
I mean, in the world of short fiction Kathy Fish is everything. I love her work and her personal story. Turning forty this year I find incredible inspiration in the fact that she didn't start publishing until later in life and now she's a thriving author who teaches and judges and is steeped in literary life. As for authors of longer books, my favorites will always be Ursula K. Le Guin and N. K. Jemisin. What can I say? Older women writers who are iconic. That's my wheelhouse.
What excites you most about writing these days?
I've found a home in short-form competition writing. I thrive with a quick deadline and prompts. I didn't know competition writing was a thing until just before the pandemic when I stumbled upon the nycmidnight 100-word micro contest. Since then, I can't get enough. It's much different than writing for yourself about anything you get the notion for, this is a fast-paced juggernaut of a creative kickstart. Having trouble with writer's block? Need a little space in your writing life? Try a 24-hour competition! It's a blast. And you'll meet a whole slew of other writers.
I don't have a lot of time to write. With two small kids and a busy homelife I've found that short-form writing is just a better fit for me. Though, if I'm being honest, even if I had great swaths of time in which to write, I'd probably still write short. There's something electric about conveying emotional resonance and a story arc in such a small space. I fell in love with flash and micro pretty early on in my writing life, and I haven't had any desire to go longer.
Who are some authors that inspire you?
I mean, in the world of short fiction Kathy Fish is everything. I love her work and her personal story. Turning forty this year I find incredible inspiration in the fact that she didn't start publishing until later in life and now she's a thriving author who teaches and judges and is steeped in literary life. As for authors of longer books, my favorites will always be Ursula K. Le Guin and N. K. Jemisin. What can I say? Older women writers who are iconic. That's my wheelhouse.
What excites you most about writing these days?
I've found a home in short-form competition writing. I thrive with a quick deadline and prompts. I didn't know competition writing was a thing until just before the pandemic when I stumbled upon the nycmidnight 100-word micro contest. Since then, I can't get enough. It's much different than writing for yourself about anything you get the notion for, this is a fast-paced juggernaut of a creative kickstart. Having trouble with writer's block? Need a little space in your writing life? Try a 24-hour competition! It's a blast. And you'll meet a whole slew of other writers.