KMWR: I tracked down your story "Obama Black" in issue 13 of Fleas on the Dog and just loved that I was able to continue with another part of Mindy's story. All the ways that Joey Cruse praised Mindy's character in "Obama Black" was how I felt as I read your story "Dance of Hours." I want to know how you came to write Mindy--did her voice come first when writing "Dance of Hours" or was it the plot? 

JP: Firstly, I’m surprised by the callback to “Obama Black.” That was my first published story and Joey Cruse had a lot of praise for my writing, which I still deeply appreciate. Mindy came from the first sentence in “Obama Black”: “Yes, I bought a gun to kill my coworker, Shelby.” Everything about her and her story followed after that sentence. I would say that her voice definitely came first. Mindy is a character who can’t easily navigate her surroundings, so her voice plays a large role in how she makes choices. I enjoyed writing her character enough that I decided to write “Dance of Hours” as a second story for Mindy. My first draft was a test to see if I wanted to move forward with Mindy for further writing and I felt that Mindy has more of her story to tell, as a result.

KMWR: Will you continue adding to Mindy's story--perhaps a novella or a novel in her future? And on the other side of the coin, is it hard to let go of a character so strongly written and formed as Mindy? 

JP: I actually do have a novel in the works for Mindy. The novel is about Mindy taking in her niece after witnessing a murder in town. Mindy tries to keep her niece, Malaysia, safe, but while uncovering the identity of the murderer. I like the self-contained style of short fiction, so I aim to build a full cohesive narrative out of shorter pieces like “Dance of Hours.” Mindy is a hard character to move on from, but I think she sets a high standard for my character writing.

KMWR: Can you speak to how your education has impacted your writing? Can you tell us one thing you'd take and one thing you'd leave?

JP: For the most part, my education has helped me be more deliberate with my writing, but I also have more confidence in my writing than I did prior to my master's program. I’ve been writing stories since I was a kid, but I was reluctant to share them with others. One thing I would leave is how aware I am of the divide between speculative and literary fiction. I focus more on character writing than any attempt to participate in any specific genre, but there’s definitely a stink on speculative fiction for a lot of people.

KMWR: I'd love to know about your talent for dialogue--are Mindy's quips achieved through revising or does it come naturally? I'm curious if you have dabbled in screenwriting in your writing career?

JP: Dialogue comes very easily. I like to see my characters as living and breathing people. They don’t always do and say the things I want them to, but they always do and say the things I believe they would or might. I have practiced some screenwriting earlier in my academic career. I took a class with Kevin Willmott at the University of Kansas. Even after a single class, I could tell that he is a film genius. Nothing could make me more excited about screenwriting than someone so seasoned and passionate, but I still prefer the medium of short fiction for the time being.

KMWR: What's the best chocolate candy and what's the best non-chocolate candy? For me, it's got to be the classic Hershey's milk chocolate bar and then I love a good Nerds Rope!

JP: Honestly, Mindy and I share a favorite chocolate. I’ve always been crazy about Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. As far as non-chocolate candy, I love Swedish Fish. They’re definitely not for everyone, but they’ve been favorites of mine since I was a kid.

KMWR: What else are you working on? Additionally, what are your writing goals?

JP: Aside from my novel in progress, I’m working on a few short stories about a fictional town in Kansas which I will explore from a variety of perspectives to uncover a few small-town secrets. These short stories may be material for an anthology. I’m also working on a manuscript for a graphic narrative and a sci-fi mystery novel (moving slowly to prioritize the novel about Mindy and the anthology). For now, my goal is to publish Mindy’s novel, but I hope to eventually publish novels, graphic narratives, and write screenplays, as well. I love the ways that different mediums can be manipulated to tell the same story in new and impactful ways. 

KMWR: And finally, what have you read or seen recently that you would recommend?

JP: Recently, I’ve enjoyed There There by Tommy Orange and Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler. Both novels compile narratives from multiple characters and build toward satisfying climaxes. I wouldn’t want to spoil either with too many details, of course. Currently, I'm reading The Lover by Bee Sacks, which I'm about halfway through and really enjoying. I’ve been watching Dinner Time Live with David Chang, which not only piques my interest in culinary arts, but also has featured guests who speak freely with each other and their host, David Chang. There’s something special about conversation that’s unscripted and genuine that is rarely captured in manufactured narratives. Filmwise, I just watched the Fallout series and loved it. It’s a lot of action and blood, but I think the themes of a post-apocalyptic society were captured and presented in an entertaining and thoughtful way. Again, maybe I’m just a sucker for multiple points of view in narratives.

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