Interview with Bret Crowle

MEET NUNUM'S Spring 2020 CONTRIBUTOR: Bret Crowle

5/11/2020

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NUNUM

Blending Flash Fiction & Art

Interview with Bret Crowle

Bret Crowle

Bret Crowle gave the first issue of 2020 a jolt with her flash back of a piece Shock Therapy. The art work we were lucky enough to blend it came from Steven Ostrowski and what these two wonderful artists ended up producing was something beyond even our wildest expectations.

We were lucky enough to get a chance for a little Q & A with Bret, and naturally you know what we asked her to get things going.

Bret, what was the first book you remember picking up and reading by yourself?

One book that I remember picking up and reading for the first time by myself was Goosebumps: The Haunted Mask written by R.L. Stine. It was one of the most influential books and has stuck with me, both in delivery and reception, since the first time I read it. It also acted as a stepping stone for me to read other authors, such as Stephen King.

Well you were first with the Goosebumps answer, but not the last I'm sure. Okay, lets get more recent.

Shock Therapy words by Bret Crowle, art by Steven Ostrowski

What was the last book you read that made you say damn that was a good book?

Shock Therapy words by Bret Crowle, art by Steven Ostrowski

The last book that I read that left me at a loss for words was A Fraction of the Whole written by Steve Toltz. It was quite different from what I normally read, and the breath of fresh air paired with incredible narrative voice had me yearning for more.

I've never read it, but thank you for the recommendation. You can see these questions are really just our way of finding great new things to read.

Who is your go-to-writer(s) when you need something to read on a holiday?

My go-to-writers for holidays are either Gillian Flynn or Chuck Palahniuk. You can’t go wrong with a little crime and psychological thrillers mixed with speculative horror!

Ah, now we are on the same page. Absolutely love Chuck Palahniuk. Without a doubt he is one of the writers that made me want to write and write better. What about you, what writer(s) or book(s) influenced your decision to become a writer Bret?

Shock Therapy words by Bret Crowle, art by Steven Ostrowski

Lars Keplar's The Hypontist & Roald Dahl

Shock Therapy words by Bret Crowle, art by Steven Ostrowski

The writers and books that have influenced my decision to become a writer have varied throughout the course of the years. Initially, The Hypnotist written by Lars Keplar was a huge launching pad for my interest in writing stories. When I read a collection of Roald Dahl’s short adult fiction, I knew that I had many ideas that mirrored the familiar twist endings that he conveyed throughout his stories. Overall, I would say that Roald Dahl has been the most influential regarding my decision to become a writer.

What about contemporary writers, who do you most admire?

Micheline Maylor is a contemporary author that I admire. She has been hugely influential to the development of my writing as well as has acted as a mentor throughout the recent development of my writing journey.

We all need them, and so happy you mentioned development. Outside of other authors, is there a writing craft book that you would recommend to new writers?

Seydisfjordur by JE Crum

Two of the most helpful writing craft books that I have read have been On Writing written by Stephen King and In Fine Form edited by Kate Braid and Sandy Shreve. On Writing is geared toward the fiction side of things, whereas In Fine Form lends hand to poetry and the poeticism that can be incorporated with everyone’s writing. I highly recommend both of these books to both new and experienced writers.

You aren't the first person I know to mention that Steven King book. And what about your personal writing style Bret, any particular influences?

One writer that has dramatically influenced my writing style has been Chuck Palahniuk. Ever since I read both Haunted and Fight Club, I have drawn inspiration from his writing and his work as an author to incorporate into my own writing style.

You just hit one of my all-time favorite books, Haunted is a masterpiece. Okay time for another one of my always asks; pen, pencil or phone, which do you reach for when you need to write something down?

When I need to write something down, I immediately reach for a pen and paper. No technology for this girl!

Ha, ha, fair enough. Okay, last one, what advice would you give someone who is just starting to send their work out to journals?

A piece of advice that I would give to someone who is just starting to send their work out to journals is to always trust and believe in your abilities and to always be open to edits and criticism. The edits are never intended to harm your confidence, if anything, they are meant to be a boost. Don’t be afraid of those rejection letters, they will come and go (trust me, it’s happened to us all) and they are always meant to act as a stepping stone to help us improve our craft!

Bret Crowle is a fourth-year university student from Alberta, Canada.

Bret Crowle

She has studied public relations with a minor in creative writing at Mount Royal University. Often, she writes poetry, prose, and short fiction pieces of fractions of the whole of her life. You can find her with ink-stained hands jotting down lyric attempts or her next plot in her notebook at nearly any coffeeshop in Calgary.