The Centifictionist

Paul Rousseau’s microfictions, “No One Knows”, and “Uber” will appear in the first issue of The Centifictionist (Vol. 1, Issue 1, Spring/Summer 2020). Paul graciously answered a few brief questions for us. Read the interview below.

1. What inspired the stories “No One Knows” and “Uber”?

I was driving down a street and saw a child with a beat-up lunch box and clothes that, at best, could be described as secondhand. Further down the road was an RV in thick brush. The story “No One Knows” originated from that experience. “Uber” evolved from a dream and the current anti-Semitic rhetoric.

2. What inspires you and your writing?

I am inspired to write by daily walks and interactions with people. There are stories everywhere if only we look.

3. What keeps you going when experiencing times of misery and despair?

In times of misery and despair, my dogs bring me sustenance.

4. What advice do you have for microfiction writers?

My advice to microfiction writers is to read, read, read, and then take notice of the moments of life.

5. Is there anything else that you would like people to know about you and/or your writing?

My writing is therapy. I’ve had much death in my life, and my writing calms the demons.

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Paul Rousseau: Semi-retired physician and writer, published in medical journals and a smattering of literary journals, including The Healing Muse, Blood and Thunder, Intima: A Journal of Narrative Medicine, Months To Years, Cleaning up Glitter, Burningword Literary Journal, Prometheus Dreaming, Journal of the American Medical Association, Annals of Internal Medicine, Canadian Medical Association Journal, Tendon, and others. Currently working on a collection of essays. Lives in Charleston, SC, longs to return to the west. Lover of dogs. Find him on Twitter: @ScribbledCoffee and @palliativedocto.