BCC Shines a Light on: Cheryl Skory Suma
BCC Shines a Light On:
Cheryl Skory Suma
Name of the piece published by BCC:
When/where was it originally published:
Second Chance Lit 2021
Tell us more about your piece! What is the background of the piece? What led you to write it? What’s your process?
This piece was initially inspired by an image prompt for a 2019 Blank Spaces Magazine’s fiction competition. I was dealing with some struggles in my personal relationships at the time, and this piece was my way of expelling those demons—when I saw the prompt of the cabin the woods, the story just spilled out of me. It made the shortlist. I submitted it a few more times elsewhere, and it made another shortlist and a had few “almost” rejections, but it never landed. So, I set it aside, returning to rework the piece in 2021. Second Chance Lit was the first place I tried, and they chose to publish it. It is one of my favourite flash fiction pieces I have ever written, one of those times when I really thought I “got it right” in terms of tone, imagery, conflict, character, structure, etc. I’d say if I have a process, it is to never give up on a piece you believe in. Let it rest, but don’t abandon it.
How did you feel when it was first published and how have your thoughts or feelings on the piece changed from then to now?
At first publication, I was so excited to finally find “Back to the Start” a home and share it with the world—as I said above, it is one of my favourite pieces I’ve ever written (I’d say tied with “To Breathe Absent of the Presence of Others,” republished more recently by Barren Magazine—another one of my favourite works, a much darker piece but compelling in its own way, I hope). My feelings for the piece haven’t really changed over time. I was thrilled when Bulb Culture Collective agreed to publish it, and I was pleasantly surprised when your Twitter post linked to this piece received so much engagement (just under 4K!). I hope that means many people read it! I think I write for two reasons: to heal myself and, perhaps, have the opportunity to aid or help others find their own path to healing. I think stories, whether fiction or creative nonfiction (I write both), are vehicles to share our experiences and lessons learned, and sometimes, if we get it right, hopefully, help others feel less alone, even understood, as they face their own challenges that life has wrought.
Is there a specific message you would like readers to take away from reading this piece?
If we communicate and are honest with one another, there is still hope.
What else would you like to tell readers about your writing? (Doesn’t have to refer only to your BCC piece)
I have been a Speech-Language Pathologist, a healthcare CEO, an entrepreneur, a mother, and a gourmet cooking enthusiast, but across all of these fluctuating careers and role changes, there was one common thread. Storytelling and caring for others while embracing creativity have always shaped my choices and driven me forward. My advice, regardless of your age, whether 22, 42, or 72, is that it is never too late to embrace your passion. I returned to my first love, writing, after a Traumatic Brain Injury forced me to sell my healthcare business. That accident was the best thing that ever happened to me. It forced me to slow down and focus on my true gift, sharing stories. Writing not only played a role in my recovery process, but hopefully, my work has also offered some comfort and healing to others along the way. If you want to read about my TBI journey, check out my CNF piece, recently re-published by SugarSugarSalt at https://sugarsugarsalt.org/2023/03/31/my-shadows-shadow-by-cheryl-skory-suma/
Where can readers find more of your work? (Website/social media, etc)
I mentioned a few links above. You can find me on X (Twitter) and BlueSky, handle @cherylskorysuma, and my website @CherylSkorySuma.com . In addition to Bulb Culture Collective, you can find my writing in many other wonderful online and print lit mags across US/UK/CA, including: Barren Magazine, Aesthetica Creative Writing Award Anthology, National Flash Fiction, Exposition Review, Fatal Flaw Literary Magazine, Longridge Review, SFWP, SugarSugarSalt, Stanchion Zine, Blank Spaces Magazine & Anthologies, Pulp Literature, the Anthology of the International Amy Macrae Award for Memoir, WestWord, Reckon Review, Pulp Literature, Sonora Review, Glassworks Magazine, Fatal Flaw, Paddler Press, and many others.
