Prose Poetry, September 2026
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 Kathy Prokhovnik who sent us two beautiful prose poems. Read Ricochet and Fragment of a Love Letter here: Two Prose Poems
Q: What piece of writing advice/ crafting rule would you trash?
A: Most of them. Even though I’ve done a number of writing courses in the last few years I never think about the ‘rules’ when I’m writing. I write to express a feeling or idea. When I’m revising something in order to send it out into the world I work by feel and sound, asking myself ‘Does that sound good? Are they the words I want to use?’
Q: Which writers and magazines do you go to to find treasure to read?
A: I’ll give anything that comes across my desk a go. If I’m published somewhere I’ll read whoever was published with me. Most recently that’s been Trash Cat Lit, Underbelly and Literary Namjooning and they’ve all published some stunners. One writer I can trust for beautiful words is Colm Toibin.
Q: What trash animal do you most identify with?
A: It would have to be something that wakes up at night, isn’t terribly sociable but also likes to see its group nearby. Preferably it would be high up so it can look out at the world. Sounds like maybe I’m a koala. Happy just to eat the same type of leaves every day. I would also say a kangaroo. Like me, Australian. Unlike me, both powerful and discreet. A bit like me, invisible when it wants to be.
Q: When your writing mojo is trashed, how do you recharge?
A: I subscribe to George Saunders’ Story Club so I get an email in my inbox twice a week reminding me that I’m a writer. I’m interested in how he analyses his own and other stories, and sometimes that will trigger some thoughts about what I’m writing at the time. I was recently given one of Matt Kendrick’s workshops, free! It was fabulous – very inspiring and practical. Not rules but ideas. I’ll definitely do more of those. Another thing that gets me recharged is walking. A walk slows my head down and lets the words fall into the right places. If I really need to get my writing flowing again I’ll get a piece of paper and set a timer and write. This must be pen on paper. You’re not supposed to stop at all, but sometimes I cheat. It still works.
Q: If you could offer three tips to writing short treasures, what would they be?
A:
Most of my stories start their life in my diary. Every now and then I’ll trawl through the diary looking for anything that can be worked on for public viewing. I’ll rewrite it and add stuff and subtract stuff until it seems good enough to send out. So..
1 – Keep a diary (also notes on your phone for strange people or incidents while you’re out). When you can distance yourself from the feeling and you’re able to play with the words, start doing that. Then keep revising.
2 – Enter competitions with prompts. For me, this is a great way of writing new stories. It’s such a satisfying feeling to conjure up something out of nothing (or just a few prompts). The boundaries provided by the prompts are always intriguing. Don’t just include the prompts – lean into them, let them shape the story.
3 – Make time for your writing. Take yourself away for a week if you can and immerse yourself in being a writer. If you can’t do that, make a consistent time each week when everything else gets put aside.
Q: What is one thing, if spotted in a crowded charity shop/thrift store, you would just have to buy
A: Books. I’ll always look at the bookshelves for detective fiction. Probably always buy a Sue Grafton even though I know I’ll feel a bit like I’ve just eaten a massive fairy floss by the end of it. Also, beautiful shells on the beach.
Kathy Prokhovnik is a writer of fiction (long form, short stories, micros) and nonfiction. She is the author and director of Seeking Sydney, a ten-episode podcast. Her short stories have had some wins, some shortlists, some publications. She blogs at http://kathyprokhovnik.com/.
