BIO: Keely Sarr is an undergraduate student at Cornell University working on a major in English. Brought up in the unique and inspiring small town of Volcano, Hawaii, she has experimented with many writing styles but only recently discovered the excitement of flash fiction.

Try not to pay attention to those who dismiss writing as a career. Keely Sarr

Leodegraunce: Keely, what is your background?

Keely Sarr: I grew up in Volcano, a tiny rainforest town on the Big Island of Hawaii, and spent most of my childhood reading and filling little notebooks with ridiculous half-finished fantasy stories.  Writing programs through the Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth helped me to refine my work in middle and high school. I'm currently studying at Cornell University and plan to major in English.
 
Leodegraunce: Your flash fiction has all the elements of a good flasher including a strong ending.  How long have you written flash fiction and what drew you to it?

Keely Sarr: When I first discovered flash fiction (which was, admittedly, only about a year ago), I was absolutely delighted. I'm always coming up with great ideas, but sometimes even the quirkiest plot grows stale if stretched over a few pages.
 
Leodegraunce: What are some of your recent works?

Keely Sarr: The project I've completed most recently is a short story for the Machine of Death II anthology--I'm keeping my fingers crossed on that one!
 
Leodegraunce: What are some of your writing plans for 2011?

Keely Sarr: I'd love to experiment with as many genres as possible (including more forays into flash fiction!). I'll also be working as a student blogger for Cornell.  
 
Leodegraunce: What is your top writing tip for aspiring authors?

Keely Sarr: Try not to pay attention to those who dismiss writing as a career. (Conveniently, many of these people make quite excellent villains when altered slightly and written into one's fiction.)

Let's chat about flash fiction:  What is it?  How do you write it?  Where can you publish it?  Join me at Savvy Authors, Sunday, Aug. 28, 1:00 p.m. EST.

BIO: Amanda Earl is gently returning to prose after a few years hiatus.

"Read." -  Amanda Earl

Leodegraunce: Amanda, please tell Leodegraunce readers a bit about your background.

Amanda Earl: I write poetry and used to write erotic fiction. I would like to write fiction again and my first attempt was "This Dark Economy." I was a member of the Erotica Readers and Writers Association (ERWA) from 2004 to 2007 (or 2008) where I learned a lot about writing sexy stories and writing in general. For more info on my hijinx and shenanigans, please consult Amanda Earl.

Leodegraunce: How long have you written flash fiction and what drew you to it?

Amanda Earl: I started in 2004 via the ERWA. I find it a challenge to create a story using few words.

Leodegraunce: What are some of your recent works?

Amanda Earl: In poetry, my chapbooks, which include "Welcome to Earth - poem for alien(s)" (Book Thug, 2008)
and in fiction a reprint of my story "Brianna's Fire" in Surrender (Cleis Press 2010).

Leodegraunce: What are some of your writing plans for 2011?

Amanda Earl: I'm working on two poetry manuscripts at the moment and starting a research project, inspired by a silver spoon I found on a local street. I hope the research project will turn into fiction. Much of my time is spent writing grant applications to get funding for my work and to be able to go on reading tours.

Leodegraunce: What is your top writing tip for aspiring authors?

Amanda Earl: Read.