The Centifictionist

Alexandra Goodwin’s 83 word microfiction, “The Moment of Truth”, will appear in the fifth issue of The Centifictionist (Vol. 3, Issue 1, Spring/Summer 2022). Alexandra graciously answered a few brief questions for us. Read the interview below.

1. What inspired the story “The Moment of Truth”?

The fact that so many doctors and health professionals are faced with the irony of having to save someone who has committed a murderous act against other human beings. In this case, I specifically chose to depict the conundrum a doctor in Israel must feel having to save time and again a suicide bomber who attempted–and more than likely succeeded–in mass killing Israeli citizens and tourists.

2. What inspires you and your writing?

Nature and the perfection of Creation fills me with awe, how each and every detail was conceived for the world to function and be a sanctuary to life. Also, situations that touch me emotionally seem to be a springboard for literary expression.

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

Writing, writing, and writing. It’s my salvation, my therapy, my way of connecting to the light, hope, and understanding. Writing through difficult situations has led me to the acceptance of these circumstances and the lessons and healing contained in them.

4. What advice do you have for microfiction writers?

Write everything that comes to mind for the piece you’re working on. Indulge in verbosity, silliness, even terrible writing. Then, kill your darlings. Leave a skeleton that only you can understand. And then, flesh out and fill in, carve and mold, until no word is excessive and each one represents a world of hidden meaning, the way a seed represents the potential of a plant with its roots, stalk, leaves, flowers, and fruit. Use the most powerful words you can find, strong verbs, nouns, and ideas. Revise, rewrite, and revise some more.

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

I took countless workshops and classes over the years, and I am constantly learning and studying. I read every book on the market about writing. I also used every excuse under the sun not to write, and when I wrote, not to send it out. When I did, I got rejected. And yet, I never gave up. Then, acceptances began happening. I cannot imagine life without writing. I am the author of the novel Exchange at the Border; a book of poems with the photographs that inspired the poems, Whispers of the Soul; a poetry book in Spanish, Caleidoscopio, and an adult coloring book with haiku poems, What Color is Your Haiku? You can learn more about me by visiting my website at alexandragoodwin.com. Thank you.

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Alexandra Goodwin was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and emigrated to the United States following the military coup of 1976. Her essays and poems have appeared in Ariel Chart, The Miami Herald, The Light Between Us, Live, Love, Laughter, a PEN Anthology, citaenlasdiagonales.com, and Our Town News. She’s the author of the novel Exchange at the Border, and three poetry collections: Whispers of the Soul, Caleidoscopio, and What Color is your Haiku? You can learn more about her and her work by visiting alexandragoodwin.com.