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Jeanette Rundquist is a journalist as well as a fiction writer. She began writing flash fiction several years ago, and has been published in ScribesMICRO, Montclair Flash Fiction Anthology, and placed in NYCMidnight competitions. She is also querying her debut novel, in the genre book club fiction, and is working on her second. A former award-winning reporter and education writer with The Newark, N.J. Star-Ledger, she wrote extensively about families, kids, schools and life in suburbia. She also covered a wide range of stories, from the impact of the 9/11 attacks to human interest features. A graduate of the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, she now works in higher ed communications. She lives in New Jersey with her family and a friendly dog. 
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Interview with Jeanette Rundquist
about her story "Frozen in Time"
Honorable Mention for The Scribes Prize
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What inspired this piece?
“Frozen in Time” began in a microfiction competition—I had 24 hours to write 100 words of historical fiction, with the topic “frozen.” My husband, an avid sailor, loves to watch accounts of maritime history, and I thought of the ill-fated Northwest Passage explorers. I don’t usually write in first person, but the opening line came to me quickly—and as I wrote, the character of the young ship’s boy writing his farewell note took shape.
What draws you to the micro-fiction format?
I enjoy writing both long-form and very short! I recently finished my first novel, and started my second. But I’ve also discovered microfiction. I enjoy the precision and careful word choices required—it makes me think of an artist painting in miniature. Microfiction takes a small piece of a story, and tells it in vivid detail. As a former journalist, I also liked the challenge of writing both long, narrative features and a good, tight news brief.
Who are some authors that inspire you?
I read a lot of fiction, and am inspired by authors including Barbara Kingsolver, Ann Patchett, Jennifer Weiner, Liane Moriarty, Claire Lombardo, Celeste Ng, and Jonathan Franzen. Some great non-fiction books have also really stuck with me: The Perfect Storm, Into Thin Air, The Glass Castle, The Right Stuff. Behind the Beautiful Forevers is on my to-read list.
What's next on the horizon for you?
I’m querying my debut novel, One of Us, hoping to find the right agent or small publisher interested in my book club fiction. I’ve started on my second novel, and—there’s always another microfiction or flash fiction competition coming up. You can find me at jeanetterundquist.wordpress.com.
“Frozen in Time” began in a microfiction competition—I had 24 hours to write 100 words of historical fiction, with the topic “frozen.” My husband, an avid sailor, loves to watch accounts of maritime history, and I thought of the ill-fated Northwest Passage explorers. I don’t usually write in first person, but the opening line came to me quickly—and as I wrote, the character of the young ship’s boy writing his farewell note took shape.
What draws you to the micro-fiction format?
I enjoy writing both long-form and very short! I recently finished my first novel, and started my second. But I’ve also discovered microfiction. I enjoy the precision and careful word choices required—it makes me think of an artist painting in miniature. Microfiction takes a small piece of a story, and tells it in vivid detail. As a former journalist, I also liked the challenge of writing both long, narrative features and a good, tight news brief.
Who are some authors that inspire you?
I read a lot of fiction, and am inspired by authors including Barbara Kingsolver, Ann Patchett, Jennifer Weiner, Liane Moriarty, Claire Lombardo, Celeste Ng, and Jonathan Franzen. Some great non-fiction books have also really stuck with me: The Perfect Storm, Into Thin Air, The Glass Castle, The Right Stuff. Behind the Beautiful Forevers is on my to-read list.
What's next on the horizon for you?
I’m querying my debut novel, One of Us, hoping to find the right agent or small publisher interested in my book club fiction. I’ve started on my second novel, and—there’s always another microfiction or flash fiction competition coming up. You can find me at jeanetterundquist.wordpress.com.