INTERVIEW WITH MILES
Q: How did you hear about Mash Stories?
Through Twitter. I think Mash Stories started to
follow me, I checked out the site, and sent myself a
note to read more about the contest.
guide you?
I’ve been fortunate in my life that I’ve never had
anyone tell me I can’t write, and I’ve had enough
tell me I can. It puts me in a sweet spot of feeling
encouraged without having unreasonable
expectations. It’s prepared me for weathering the
storms; I know I’m a good enough captain to hit dry
land.
Q: What tempted you to submit a story to Mash?
The small word count made completing a story feel
very doable, even as I was working on other writing
projects. The three mash words combined with word
count added a moderately restrictive block which
helped bring out the creativity. There was something
appealing about crafting a simple story around
these parameters.
Q: What’s next for you? Do you have any other
projects coming up so Mashers can see what else
you’re up to?
I don’t have any other projects I’m ready to talk
about. I try to write regularly on my website, http://
milesrausch.com, and I spend a fair amount of
Q: How did you come up with the idea for your
story? Did anyone inspire you?
My idea for this story came whilst watching airplanes
submitting to MashStories, trying to get lightning to
strike twice.
describing the plummeting plane as taking “nearly
Quick Fire Round
complete the necessary research. Lovingly, gently,
I placed some beautiful, damaged people into the
plane and gave them small redemptions. Everyone
performed admirably. Still, despite their tragedies, I
would have them do it all again.
with Miles Rausch
My passion, except writing, is … my family,
particularly my children and my wife, and a good
television show.
I’m a web developer by trade. I have Bachelor’s
degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics, but
I’ve always remained active in artistic pursuits as
well.
My childhood ambition was… to become a
paleontologist. Later, I decided I would make my
living doing computer programming, and I would
realize my artistic dreams by writing on the side.
Q: Have you been published before – any books
or short stories?
I’ve had some poetry and short story work published
in the literary magazine published at the university I
attended.
I write because… the stories in my head won’t
stop bothering me.
My favourite book is …
because …
I’ve always been a kid who loves dinosaurs. One
thing Crichton does beautifully is to weave stories
around hard science. There’s so much inspiration
in physics, chemistry, biology and mathematics,
and Crichton managed to wrap that inspiration
in great storytelling. Jurassic Park is one of his
greatest examples of that.
Q: Tell us about your relationship with writing.
How did you start? How long have you been
writing?
Like most writers, it’s been a lifelong relationship.
Only in the past year have I decided to get serious
about writing. I realized I needed to get these
The best piece of advice I’ve ever been given
… is “Show, don’t tell.” It was meant as writing
advice, but it applies well to life in general.
someone else’s enjoyment.
Q: Do you have any role models or a mentor who
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