Forty-nine authors  ~
Fifteen poets ~ 
All of their
delightful disputes

Tell us the inspiration behind Conversations with Condiments.

I had a friend pass away tragically at age 22 and I’m ashamed to admit that I didn’t go to the funeral. At the time, I wasn’t mature enough to know how important that grieving process is, and what it means to a family when you pay your respects. I wanted to confront that longstanding guilt. It’s something that still leaves me unsettled.

What do you hope readers will take away from your story? Writerly advice? 

I hope readers enjoy the jolt; it’s an ending you never see coming. I like the idea that writing can be so powerful that we walk away feeling a bit shaken up. And on a lighter note- maybe I want them to know that you can heal a little bit when you write. 

 How has OCWW helped you as a writer?

OCWW keeps me devoted to writing. Every Thursday my brain is calibrated to absorb new stories, genres, or skills. I find that the workshops that are of my comfort zone are often the ones that give me the most enjoyment- it’s freeing to remind yourself that you can play in other writerly pursuits. Plus the people! I love the warmth of the OCWW community.

KELLY Q. ANDERSON  writes mostly flash fiction and short creative nonfiction with some "mediocre" poetry mixed in. She currently serves as VP of OCWW.

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