1. What inspired you to write the prose poem/microfiction which is published in Small Wonder?
In 2005/6 I lived in a single room apartment in Delhi with 3 other women. Our home was built on the rooftop, or terrace, of a three story building, a space usually reserved for chili drying, clothes hanging, kite flying and the like. It was a perfect world within a world. The events from that time continue to flavor my life today.
2. Tell us about that process. (Do you start sparse and widen out, or do you write down every possible association and cut back? Do you research the subject matter you are writing about? Is it pure intuition?) Take us through an example if you want.
I am a terribly lazy writer. I can go for months not writing a word and then something happens and I feel compelled to write about it. These moments are rare and I am usually unprepared. Serviettes, envelopes, and borrowed pens have been of great assistance. I feel my healthiest when I am writing.
3. What advice do you have for other writers ? about the first or last line? About how to choose the title? Do you follow any rules?
Sometimes I find the middle of a thought, idea or sentence is a dynamic starting point (you can always go back and add a first line later). For a while there, I was writing a lot of short pieces that began with the word ‘So…’ (ie: So she told him that…, So they decided…, So in the end…, etc). Try it and let me know if it works for you. 😉
4. Who or what inspires your writing?
Writing is always a response to life for me. People I meet, places I visit something inspiring that someone is saying or doing.
5. Tell us what do you do if you haven’t written anything in a while and you want to get started writing again? Could you share your favorite writing exercise with our readers?
For favorite exercises, Julia Cameron’s ‘Artists Way’ is a wonderful resource. She is so gentle and encouraging and at the same time has a powerful way of persuading you that you need to write.
Cara Munro is a registered Nurse. Her work has appeared in Eureka Street and the book ‘Learnings – Lessons we are learning about living together.’ She won first prize in the 2009 Margaret Dooley Award. Her story, An Arrangement, is published in Small Wonder.
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