The Centifictionist

CB Anderson’s 100 word microfiction, “Gymnast, 12”, will appear in the fifth issue of The Centifictionist (Vol. 3, Issue 1, Spring/Summer 2022). CB graciously answered a few brief questions for us. Read the interview below.

1. What inspired the story “Gymnast, 12”?

As a former gymnast, I’ve followed developments in USAG-related sexual abuse for years. The survivors are deeply wounded yet also fierce— collectively they received the Arthur Ashe Courage Award. “Gymnast, 12” is part of a longer work that re-imagines one athlete’s experience.

2. What inspires you and your writing?

Things that occur in the world, things I read, things that have happened to my family or friends or me. I tend to write about people on the margins— and about resilience.

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

Being in nature. Loved ones. Writing. More or less forcing myself to practice gratitude.

4. What advice do you have for microfiction writers?

A mentor once said to try to write a few words every day, and to stop writing while you still know where you’re headed, so you don’t return “cold” to the material. That was helpful.

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CB Anderson’s stories have appeared or are forthcoming in Indiana Review, 580 Split, Flash Fiction Forward, Crazyhorse, The Masters Review, The Ocotillo Review, and elsewhere. Her collection River Talk was one of Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2014.