Holly Brandon is the world’s okay-est wife, a terrible housekeeper, and the stay-at-home mom of four adorably feral children—including thirteen year old twin boys (she’s accepting prayers, positive thoughts, and exorcism services during this difficult time). She used to be something before all of that, but she can’t quite remember what it was. She’s hoping her rediscovered love of writing will help bring it to the surface.
Holly wishes she had a list of impressive hobbies, but what she enjoys most of all is reading, sleeping, falling asleep while reading, having a clean and silent home all to herself, chocolate, and mind-numbing television (the trashier, the better). She also has what some might call an unhealthy addiction to writing competitions, and recently took first prize in the eighth Writer’s Playground challenge and placed in the top ten of NYC Midnight’s 2024 Microfiction Challenge. She also recently had her first publication in a literary magazine--Flash Frog.
Holly wishes she had a list of impressive hobbies, but what she enjoys most of all is reading, sleeping, falling asleep while reading, having a clean and silent home all to herself, chocolate, and mind-numbing television (the trashier, the better). She also has what some might call an unhealthy addiction to writing competitions, and recently took first prize in the eighth Writer’s Playground challenge and placed in the top ten of NYC Midnight’s 2024 Microfiction Challenge. She also recently had her first publication in a literary magazine--Flash Frog.
Interview with Holly Brandon
about her story "One Mother's Nightmare"
Honorable Mention for The Scribes Prize
|
What inspired this piece?
“One Mother’s Nightmare” was not autobiographical (besides the ibuprofen and Diet Coke—that’s all me), but it could have been had the details been altered a little. As a mother of four, I’ve had my fair share of embarrassing public parenting moments, including the unsympathetic comments and looks from strangers. It is a huge pet peeve of mine—parenting is hard enough without an audience. And the worst place I could imagine having that happen is on an airplane. Not to sound all “hashtag-blessed,” but this story was written to remind myself that often our stress and fears come from our greatest joys. Sometimes a little perspective goes a long way.
What draws you to the micro-fiction format?
I absolutely love microfiction. The thought of putting a whole novel together is overwhelming for me; my short attention span appreciates that I can write a whole story in a weekend and never have to visit it again! I also enjoy reading microfiction for the same reason.
If you could continue writing your story after these 100 words, what would happen next?
I like to think the mother in my story would discover some new appreciation of her life, as well as the ability to block out the stares and comments from judgmental strangers. I wish this for every mother, fictional or real.
“One Mother’s Nightmare” was not autobiographical (besides the ibuprofen and Diet Coke—that’s all me), but it could have been had the details been altered a little. As a mother of four, I’ve had my fair share of embarrassing public parenting moments, including the unsympathetic comments and looks from strangers. It is a huge pet peeve of mine—parenting is hard enough without an audience. And the worst place I could imagine having that happen is on an airplane. Not to sound all “hashtag-blessed,” but this story was written to remind myself that often our stress and fears come from our greatest joys. Sometimes a little perspective goes a long way.
What draws you to the micro-fiction format?
I absolutely love microfiction. The thought of putting a whole novel together is overwhelming for me; my short attention span appreciates that I can write a whole story in a weekend and never have to visit it again! I also enjoy reading microfiction for the same reason.
If you could continue writing your story after these 100 words, what would happen next?
I like to think the mother in my story would discover some new appreciation of her life, as well as the ability to block out the stares and comments from judgmental strangers. I wish this for every mother, fictional or real.