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Jan Harris is an Associate Editor here at Flash Me Magazine. Jennifer Dawson, Editor-in-Chief of Flash Me Magazine, interviewed her for the July 2008 Issue.
Jan, tell us a little about yourself.
I live in Nottinghamshire, UK, and work from home as an editor for an online media company. This means I spend a lot of hours at my computer, but I'm an outdoor person at heart and love to escape to the local livery stables to ride my daughter's horse - a sturdy steed called Eric.
You are a writer and an editor. How do you juggle that?
I usually fit in my work for Flash Me Magazine either first thing in the morning, or in the evening and find that reading the submissions is a great way to relax and wind down.
I tend to do my creative writing in the wee small hours, when the houses is perfectly quiet and everyone is tucked up in bed.
What made you apply for an editor’s position at a flash fiction magazine?
I previously helped to edit an online magazine of food-related poetry and prose called Madelaine, for a writing group I belonged to. When that folded I found I missed the work and so was delighted when I came across Flash Me Magazine and saw that they were advertising for extra help. Needless to say I'm very happy that they took me on.
When did you first start writing?
I started writing regularly in 2003 after joining a writing group. It was something I always wanted to do, but it took the support and encouragement of the group members to give me the push I needed.
What was your first sale? Where? When?
My first actual sale was this year, when Mslexia Magazine published a 150-word flash piece, although I've had quite a few stories and poems published by non paying markets, both online and in print.
What author(s) have inspired you?
Most recently Jon McGregor, the author of ‘If Nobody Speaks of Remarkable Things', for the beauty of the language, and his skill in using multiple perspectives to tell the story of a single day.
What types of books do you enjoy reading?
Anything and everything. I love to read poetry and my current favourite poet is Pablo Neruda. I also enjoy novels with well-drawn characters and a good plot. I like what they call Aga Sagas in the UK - fictional family sagas set in the countryside - and Joanna Trollope is one of my favourite authors of this type of story.
As an editor, what are your pet peeves?
Spelling and grammatical errors. I know the huge amount of effort that goes into writing a story and it seems such a shame when a good story is spoiled just because the author hasn't proof read it properly.
If you could give advice to flash fiction writers hoping to get published at FMM, what would it be?
Make your story stand out with an original plot and the use of vivid images. I like to be able to see a story unfold in my mind as I am reading it.
Now on a more personal note, mind telling us a little about your family?
I've been married for 29 years to my best friend and we have two wonderful grown-up children. Our daughter is 21 and still lives at home, and we also have a married son who is just in the process of buying his own house. I also help to care for my elderly mother who is a sprightly 90!
Now, to change the subject dramatically, do you have a favorite holiday?
My ideal holiday involves beautiful countryside, time and space to read and write, and lots of walks which end up at a pub selling good food.
And do you have a favorite vacation spot?
The English Lake District. It is breathtakingly beautiful and whenever I visit I feel like I've come home.
Finally, if you could live anywhere in the world, where would you choose?
Wherever my family is.
Thank you, Jan. It’s a pleasure to have you on the staff, and I’m sure our readers enjoyed getting to know you a little better.
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