Could you tell us how you arrived at the concept of “Dad Went Out to Get the Milk”?

I’m always thinking about real-life stereotypes and tropes, and how I can subvert them in the space of fiction. I wanted to write a story where the dad didn’t disappear but perhaps was neglectful of his family in other ways. He gets the milk, but is that the point?

This is such a fun story to read. What made you keep this in the form of a flash piece, and would you consider expanding it?

I probably wouldn’t. I’m usually able to tell how long a piece is, and I think this one benefits the most from being bite-sized.

Was there any kind of play with metaphors here? And if so, how did you arrive at them, and what kind of meaning do they have for you?

Intentional? Unlikely. Subconsciously? I think I’m usually doing something I realize much later. I usually like leaving things like metaphors open-ended, because I think what each reader takes out of things is very different.

What made this particular ending the best place to land?

I think I played with this part a bit. What was missing from the first part was that I wanted an ending that held space for everyone. So I went through the story and thought about what kind of adventure was important to each person. Putting these together made the most resonant ending.

Is there a project you are currently working on? And, if not, are there any themes, objects, or news that might be tickling your fingers?

I have a novel I’m working on! It’s very on and off. When it’s on, I devote my free time to it. When it’s off, I go back to short fiction. I’m always considering random possibilities, so the themes in my head are too many to mention.