Spring Pop-Up Issue – Prompted Stories

Following the launch of each of our issues, we cajole one or more of the contributors into a mini interview with the Trash Cat.
Here they will reveal some writing wisdom and tell you what trash critter they identify with most. Important stuff like that.

Today, we have repeat bin offender, Beth Sherman. You can read her dark, intriguing flash Tea at Brigham Hall HERE where you’ll find links to her other TCL stories and more.

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Q: What piece of writing advice/ crafting rule would you trash?

A: I’ve heard it said that you have to write multiple drafts to wind up with a story that’s close to publishable. I don’t have the time or patience for “messy first drafts” (or second or third ones either, for that matter). And I don’t see why they’re valuable. Instead of mining dross for gold, why not add some glitter to first thought/best thought?  

Q: Which writers and magazines do you go to to find treasure to read?

A: I love to peruse the latest stories in Gone Lawn, Flash Frog, Matchbook and 100 Word Story. I also keep a running list of pieces I love that have appeared in various journals so I can re-read them whenever I want to be inspired.

Q: What animal, trash or otherwise, do you most identify with?

A: Crows. They adapt to new situations well, they mourn their dead, and they can remember human faces for years. Also, magpies – for being known for stealing shiny objects.

Q: When your writing mojo is trashed, how do you recharge?

A: I’m obsessed with writing workshops. Currently, I’m enrolled in Anika Carpenter’s ekphrastic Art & Flash series and Matt Kendrick’s Welkin Press Micro workshops. I try to participate in Francine Witte’s prompt train sessions whenever I can. And I’ve been enrolled in Smokelong Fitness since 2023 – prompts, tasks and webinars galore – which has been transformative for my writing.

Q: If you could offer three tips to writing short treasures, what would they be?

A:
1) Jump right into the heart of your story, with minimal exposition.

2) Include detailed images that relate to the emotions you’re trying to evoke.

3) Ask yourself why anyone would want to read what you’ve written.

Q: What is one thing, if spotted in a crowded charity shop/thrift store, you would just have to buy

A: A felt bird skirt. I collect all things bird-related and I found a bird themed skirt recently that was 50 percent off. I also can’t resist buying nail polish. The names they think of for them are so wild: “Bikini so Teeny,” “Splash of Grenadine,” “Take Me to Thread.” My favorite is “Doodle the Minimum.”

Beth Sherman is the author of How to Get There from Here, a novella-in-flash published by Ad Hoc Fiction. She has had more than 250 stories featured in literary journals, including Ghost Parachute, Fictive Dream, Bending Genres and Smokelong Quarterly, where she’s a Submissions Editor. Her work appears in Best Microfiction 2024 and 2026 and Best Small Fictions 2025 and she is the author of five mystery novels.
Find her on social media @bsherm36