An interview with Justin Deming
On the Hudson river, microfiction and writing challenges...
Good afternoon, ramblers, readers and friends. I recorded this podcast with Justin one cold, overcast weekend back in January where we were both huddled up in jumpers. Some of you may already know Justin from his monthly microfiction prompt challenges and his Substack: Along the Hudson. Justin is also a short-story winner of the Lunar Awards and the author of 50 Fifties: A Justin Deming Literary Project
Author Interview: Justin Deming
“My top tip? Take a notebook. Going out into the world and experiencing things and the ideas are just there, you know, and it's a matter of recording them and coming back to them. ”
Audio Highlights
(00:03) Micro Fiction and Hudson Inspiration
(09:02) Connection to the River
(16:45) Goals and Writing Projects for 2024
(30:15) Inspiration From Everyday Life Experiences
(33:58) Justin's Creative Process and Commitment
The Juicy Details…
There's a certain magic in the brevity of storytelling, where every word must carry its weight in gold. Today, we sit with Justin Deming, a master of microfiction, as he unwraps the layers of his book "5050s," an exquisite collection where each story spans just 50 words. Justin's artistic journey reveals the meticulous crafting involved in distilling narratives to their essence. He guides us through the personal connections that bookend his collection, sharing the revelation of his grandfather's musical past and the diverse thematic explorations within his work. We also delve into the logistics of self-publishing and why Amazon became his chosen platform, offering insights for any writer contemplating the self-publishing path.
As landscapes can shape our identity, so can the Hudson River carve through the bedrock of our creativity. Justin’s connection to this historic waterway serves as a backdrop to today's conversation, infusing our discussion with a sense of place and the heft of history that comes with living alongside a river, from discovered artefacts to half-forgotten myths.
Looking toward the horizon, we also talk about Substack’s potential for 2024 and how writers manage their online and offline workload. Justin’s transition from microfiction to novel writing is in full swing with "Off the Trail," a dark fantasy narrative awaiting a high school senior. This balance of teaching, parenting, and dedicated writing time is a dance many of us know well. Meanwhile, Justin encourages us all to keep walking that creative path, drawing from everyday moments for inspiration. Hopefully, this podcast will give you a nudge in that direction.
Notes and transcript produced with the help of Podium. Recorded with Riverside FM.
Book Review: 50 Fifties: A Justin Deming Literary Project.
Rating: 4 stars
For fans of: microfiction, short poems and miniature stories.
Why you will enjoy it…
It’s fast, shuffling you through different moments like a deck of cards. You can digest a story in moments, as a quick break from normal life, or let it unravel in you imagination. Justin’s brevity means every story remains open; a fable, a joke or sometimes a reminder not to take life for granted. You can be a man, experiencing purgatory as a tree, share a drink with a ghost or peer into family relationships There’s a dark humour underlying all the stories and a deep awareness that time is fleeting.
Why it will annoy you…
The same brevity means you don’t get the chance to connect to characters or see Justin’s writing at it’s full strength. You are left unsettled and wanting more or (in a few cases) just baffled. Luckily, there’s more of Justin’s work waiting for us via his Substack.
Thanks again for having me on your podcast, Natalie, and for all of the work you poured into this. I had a lot of fun chatting with you! 😊