Interview with Marie Hoy-Kenny

Meet NUNUM's contributor: Marie Hoy-Kenny

11/3/2021

NUNUM

Blending Flash Fiction & Art

Interview with Marie Hoy-Kenny

Marie Hoy-Kenny got our Fall 2021 heading in the perfect direction with her story 'The Man in the Box'.

We were lucky enough to get a little of Marie's time recently, and yes, despite everything going on in the world, things still got started the way they always do.

Marie what was the first book that you remember sitting down and reading all by yourself?

Marie Hoy-Kenny

In the first grade my teacher let me choose a free book at the

'The Man in the Box' words by Marie Hoy-Kenny

book fair for learning all of the sight words she gave us. I was thrilled and chose The Story of the Nutcracker Ballet by Deborah Hautzig (1986). I tried reading it on my own every night for months.

We need more teachers like that, what about more recently, what is the last book you read that made you think, damn that is a good book?

I am very into thriller novels. The ending of Behind Her Eyes

by Sarah Pinborough left me absolutely awestruck.

Nice, another new book for my shopping list, thank you. And before we end this reading theme, one more. Who are your go-to writers when you need something to read on holiday?

First of all, I'd love a holiday sometime and now I'm visualizing being on a beach somewhere on a lounger with a book in my hand!! I'd definitely bring along a novel by Karen M. McManus or Shari LaPena.

'The Man in the Box' words by Marie Hoy-Kenny

What writers or books influenced your decision to become a writer?

'The Man in the Box' words by Marie Hoy-Kenny

The End of the Affair by Graham Greene had me crying from page 1. The narrator brings the reader along on his existential crisis and the story was incredibly beautiful, emotionally impactful, and powerful. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D Salinger ignited my love for first-person, confessional narratives.

Some good places to start there, but what about contemporary writers, anyone there who gets your admiration?

I'm really into Shari LaPena's work and think she's extremely

talented at designing complex mysteries with all the twists I appreciate as a reader.

You have a taste for the mystery, I can relate. And it isn't an easy thing to pull off well, speaking of which, is there a writing craft book that you would recommend to new writers?

Wired for Story by Lisa Cron is one of my favourites.

'The Man in the Box' words by Marie Hoy-Kenny

Is there a writer who has influenced your current writing style?

'The Man in the Box' words by Marie Hoy-Kenny

I read a lot of flash fiction and am constantly taking notes on stylistic choices that work.

Speaking of flash, why write flash fiction?

Flash fiction fascinates me so much. It reminds me of a jigsaw puzzle in which every word is a necessary piece. I love how many flash stories highlight one small moment and make it so meaningful and beautiful. So much is said in so few words. I also have a pretty short attention span and like fast paced work and flash fiction keeps me captivated.

What advice would you give someone who is just starting to send their work out to journals?

To keep trying. I've had so many rejections since I began submitting to journals five years ago. The first story I submitted is nothing like the ones I submit now. It was too wordy and contained quite a few cliched lines. I've learned so much from reading the work of other flash authors.

Well said, it can be a challenge, not only when starting out but even after you've been at it for years. What do you do to beat writer's block?

'The Man in the Box' words by Marie Hoy-Kenny

I set an alarm on my phone for five minutes and tell myself

'The Man in the Box' words by Marie Hoy-Kenny

I'm going to type the beginning of a story and it may be complete garbage but the rules are I can't stop typing and I have to tell my inner critic to be quiet. Sometimes I come up with really cool ideas this way.

What a practical idea, I like that, thank you. So that's submitting and writer's block, but for you Marie what is the hardest part of writing?

Probably coming up with surprising metaphors.

When a great one comes to me it's an awesome feeling.

They can be a challenge that is for sure, but so rewarding when you come up with a good one. And finally, what are some of your favourite flash fiction and short stories?

Some of my favourites, the stories that haunt me for months after I read them, have got to be: Road Runners by Kathryn Kulpa, Dead Rabbits by Ryan Jones, Ripe Bananas by Marta Balcewicz, Something That Can Never Be Held by Cathy Ulrich, Beautiful and Sad by Marisa Crane, We All Know About Margo by Meg Pillow, Manguitos, Pears, Grapefruits by JJ Peña.

'The Man in the Box' words by Marie Hoy-Kenny

Marie Hoy-Kenny is a writer, teacher, and mother from

Marie Hoy-Kenny

Ontario, Canada. She loves thriller novels and is a theatre enthusiast. Her work has been published in Cease, Cows, Cosmonauts Avenue, Trampset, and Prose Online. You can keep up with Marie on Twitter