Interview with Angela Carlton

Angela Carlton, a writer from Georgia, has made an impact in the literary world with her short stories and flash fiction, including her latest collection, “A Jigsaw Life.” Her writing has been recognized with the reader’s choice award from Pedestal Magazine in 2006 for her story “The Lost Ones.” Set in the deep South, the stories in “A Jigsaw Life” revolve around Violet, a mother dealing with bipolar episodes and severe depression, and her two daughters, Lilly and Jane, who must navigate the challenges of growing up in a dysfunctional family. Carlton’s upbringing, surrounded by a family of artists and musicians, has influenced her writing style and the stories she tells.

In this interview, Angela Carlton shares insights into her creative process, the influences that have shaped her writing, and the themes that form the bedrock of her work. From her childhood inspiration in writing “The Magic Fish” to her current project, “The Souls of King Street,” Carlton’s journey as a writer is one of growth, self-discovery, and an unwavering commitment to her craft. Through her stories, she explores the question of whether Jane, and by extension, anyone facing similar struggles, can pick up the jigsaw pieces of a shattered life and find their way back home again. Join us as we embark on a journey into the mind and works of this captivating Southern writer, whose stories serve as a beacon of hope and resilience in the face of life’s most challenging moments.

Every Writer: Growing up in Georgia, how did your upbringing influence your writing style and the stories you tell?

Carlton: This is a great question. I come from a long line of talented people. My mother was a songwriter in Nashville when I was a kid. My father, a guitarist, had ties with several southern bands doing studio work with Atlanta Rhythm Section, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Georgia Satellites. It gave me a great appreciation for the written word, lyrics and the love of art.  

Every Writer: Your short fiction has been published in numerous literary magazines. What draws you to the short story format?

Carlton: Honestly, it’s the one thing I enjoy, especially flash fiction which are like songs in so many ways. I have written a few longer pieces over the years, but I enjoy the intensity, and the rawness of a micro story, one you must get down on the page in a 1000 words or less.

Every Writer: In 2006, you won the reader’s choice award with Pedestal Magazine. How did that recognition impact your writing career?

Carlton: It gave me hope. I was just starting out and tinkering with writing. My daughter was three at the time and in my down time, I would have a flash of a story or a line that would come to me and in this case it was the opening line, “Jane´s barely eleven when she takes her first sip of liquor,” for the story “The Lost Ones,” which won the award and was featured in my collection, “A Jigsaw Life.”

Every Writer: Can you tell us about the book you wrote as a child, “The Magic Fish”? What inspired you to write it, and do you still have it?

Carlton: Yes, I wish I still had it! It was a notebook paper book that I stapled together as a kid with a photo of a blue, greenish fish. I drew it for the cover. I loved so many story books like “Charlotte’s Web,” “Where the Red Fern Grows” and “Huckleberry Finn.” As a kid, for me, it was an escape into glorious lands.

Every Writer: Your collection of stories, “A Jigsaw Life,” was released in December 2022. What themes do you explore in this collection?

Carlton: My platform is mental health. Unfortunately, this runs deep with a few family members suffering from mental health issues. It was usually rocky and trying to find the medication that would help them, would come through trial and tribulation. In the meantime, they suffered and so did we.

Every Writer: How long did it take you to write “A Jigsaw Life,” and what was your writing process like?

Carlton: Honestly, about 10 years. After I won the writing contest, it was like opening a world to a secret door. I published several more stories in EveryDay Fiction, Pedestal magazine and a few others. Later, I ended up having enough published stories to compile into a collection.

Every Writer: Which story in “A Jigsaw Life” holds the most personal significance for you, and why?

Carlton: I would have to say, “The Funeral People,” a story told from a child’s POV surrounding the day of her sister Lilly’s funeral, the day her mothers in bed and too depressed to go. The child must muster up the courage and the strength to call the Preacher to get a ride, her tenacity and keen insight shine through as she tries to make it through that dark day, alone. There is a piece of that child in me, as a writer.  

Every Writer: As a writer, what do you find to be the most challenging aspect of the creative process?

Carlton: I think for me, I’m always thinking of the next collection of stories that will work as a collaboration so when I write, I’m always conscious of how I can make this fit into something grand where the characters connect. In that respect, it sometimes interferes with the creative process. I need to learn to write and let the rest follow.

Every Writer: Who are some of your favorite authors, and how have they influenced your writing?

Carlton: Growing up in the south, I tend to be drawn to southern writers like Sheri Reynolds, Kaye Gibbons and Daniel Wallace. Each one has their own distinct flair. Sheri’s work is poetic and lyrical. You tend to get lost in every sentence. Kaye Gibbons has the ability to put you in the mind of a sassy child with impeccable dialect. Daniel Wallace has the gift of southern humor mixed with a mystical spin. I was also drawn to JD Salinger and his ability to capture the voice of a young, confused, sarcastic teenager. Lastly, the late Melissa Banks, who had the ability to capture broken and or profound relationships, and the girl who was always searching for herself.

Every Writer: What do you think is the key to crafting a compelling short story?

Carlton: In my opinion, it’s the ability to get the intensity on the page from the very beginning and carry it through.

Every Writer: How do you approach character development in your stories?

Carlton: For me, it starts with a feeling or an idea, and inside that emotion, the characters seem to fall into place.

Every Writer: Do you have a specific writing routine or ritual that helps you stay focused and productive?

Carlton: When the house is quiet, I turn on Jazz and try to dive into a page. Sometimes, I read if nothing comes to me, sketch or take notes for future stories.

Every Writer: What advice would you give to aspiring writers who are just starting out?

Carlton: I think finding the writers who inspire you and studying them is key because that is where you’ll find your voice and style. If you enjoy writing and are always thinking of a scene or a line in a story, jot it down in a notebook or on a laptop etc. The idea is to capture it, record it because you can always go back to it and build from there. I have developed many stories with these techniques. 

Every Writer: Are there any particular themes or subjects you find yourself repeatedly drawn to in your writing?

Carlton: I’m drawn to characters who are broken, the ones who are lost and in need of saving.. I’m also drawn to people who are addicted to love or a substance, something that takes them out of the realm and in need of saving.

Every Writer: How do you handle writer’s block, and what strategies do you use to overcome it?

Carlton: I tend to switch it up and do something else creative like sketching or remodeling a space. Recently, I white-washed wood and applied it to my kitchen island to give it a rustic vibe.

Every Writer: Can you share a memorable moment or experience from your writing career thus far?

Carlton: Yes, I can. It was the moment EveryWriter nominated me for the Pushcart Prize in 2023, thank you.

Every Writer: Are you currently working on any new projects, and if so, can you give us a sneak peek?

Carlton: Yes, I’m currently working on a new collection of flash stories surrounding the wounded and the lost, fragile people who live on King street. The working title is “The Souls of King Street.”

Every Writer: How has your writing evolved over the years, and in what ways do you hope to continue growing as a writer?

Carlton: I hope to always grow as a writer. I wish I would have tapped into this talent earlier. I had glimpses at a young age when I wrote poetry or listened to song lyrics intensely. Now, I find I’ll look into things from a deeper perspective and will see something remarkable in the ordinary or the unexplainable. 

Every Writer: What do you hope readers will take away from your stories, particularly those in “A Jigsaw Life”?

Carlton:  I hope they will find a sense of hope, and will find a way to stay inspired, dream. I hope they will find something that will resonate inside, an awakening.  

Every Writer: Lastly, what does writing mean to you, and why do you continue to pursue it? 

Carlton: I knew I wanted to be a writer when I would hear songs and write the lyrics down in my journal or play them over and over for the thrill. I’d read certain books and feel like I’d walk into the center of my dysfunctional living room. 

It’s all I’ve ever known, this passion behind the hum, the beat and the flow of the written word.   

It’s a gift I treasure, truly.

Every Writer: Thank you Angela.

Carlton: Thank you for everything.

Angela Carlton spoke to us by email. You can find her collection of stories A Jigsaw Life on Amazon, Barns and Noble and around the web.