BCC Shines a Light on: Karen Crawford
Name of the piece published by BCC:
When/where was it originally published:
Reflex Press, Sept 2021
Tell us more about your piece! What is the background of the piece? What led you to write it? What’s your process?
There was always music playing in my house when I was growing up. I almost always have a song stuck in my head, which gave me the idea to write a piece using song titles as an intro for each paragraph. I wanted to choose ones that indicated a sense of time and a hint of story. After I picked the songs, the storyline came together. There’s always a bit of autofiction in everything I write, and the subject matter here is well worn territory, but I hoped that by peppering in the repetition of the words, closer, softer, farther, louder, it would create a unique effect in helping the tension to build.
How did you feel when it was first published and how have your thoughts or feelings on the piece changed from then to now?
I was thrilled when this piece was first published. And just as thrilled that it has found a new home at BCC! Honestly, I almost never really feel like a piece is finished, I’m always tweaking, tweaking, tweaking. I do love coming back to previous stories with fresh eyes, and this one in particular has inspired me to write something new in this vein!
Is there a specific message you would like readers to take away from reading this piece?
I guess the main takeaway would be, don’t ignore that inner voice. And then the more obvious one; don’t get in a car with anyone behind the wheel who’s been drinking!
What else would you like to tell readers about your writing? (Doesn’t have to refer only to your BCC piece)
I tend to write sad stuff. My mother always says, make me laugh next time. I’m trying!
Where can readers find more of your work? (Website/social media, etc)
Twitter/X @KarenCrawford_ and BlueSky @karenc.bsky.social
