In the Lit Blitz Hall of Fame, we celebrate authors published in previous Mormon Lit Lab contests by asking their thoughts on Mormon Lit, writing, and life. Check back twice a month for new Hall of Fame interviews.
Previous Lit Blitz pieces by Annaliese Lemmon:
“Abrahamic Sacrifice” (13th Annual Mormon Lit Blitz)
"The Gift to Be Healed" (Saints, Spells, and Spaceships)
"Portal Friends" (9th Annual Mormon Lit Blitz)
"Daughters of Ishmael" (6th Annual Mormon Lit Blitz)
"The Gift of Tongues" (5th Annual Mormon Lit Blitz)
"Disability, Death, or Other Circumstance" (4th Annual Mormon Lit Blitz)
"Curelom Riders" (3rd Annual Mormon Lit Blitz)
An Interview with Annaliese Lemmon
What draws you to writing Mormon lit? How does Mormon lit fit into your larger artistic identity?
I never expected to be an author of Mormon lit. Growing up, I enjoyed reading The Work and the Glory and the Tennis Shoes among the Nephites books, but they never excited my imagination the way other fantasy books did. Most other Mormon lit books I came across were romance, which I didn’t care about. I also felt turned off by reading about fictional miracles, because they felt too much like Deus ex Machina.
So when my friend Emily Debenham introduced me to the Mormon Lit Blitz, I decided that it was a short enough venture that I’d try it out if I could come up with an idea. My second submission and first finalist was “Curelom Riders” in 2014. For years I kept with that attitude, and was surprised that I did always come up with something to put down each year, even if I didn’t always make finalist.
At the same time, I was submitting general fantasy short stories elsewhere and just getting a pile of rejections in response. I decided that since I was getting some success with my version of Mormon lit, I would lean into that more. I set goals at the beginning of the year to have something ready for the Lit Blitz. I started looking at other markets that sold Mormon fiction, and dared to put LDS characters into my stories for wider audiences. After all, I’ve enjoyed reading speculative stories about Jews and Muslims. Why couldn’t Mormon fiction find a reach elsewhere, providing windows and mirrors into an important aspect of my life?
What advice would you share to future submitters?
Be personal rather than preachy, realistic rather than ideal. What matters to you? What is your lived in experience? There is room for you, however quirky or off it may seem.
What’s one of your favorite Lit Blitz pieces written by someone else?
“Stillborn” by Merrijane Rice from the very first Lit Blitz has always stuck with me. It was so full of emotion, and the turn at the end was so surprising and faith filled. And now, with the recent death of my son, it’s been on my mind as it resonates, though circumstances differ.
Explain the background of one of your Lit Blitz pieces–your inspiration, your writing process, or why the piece is meaningful to you.
All 7 of my Lit Blitz pieces have author commentaries available at my website - Published Works – Annaliese Lemmon
How do you hope your work will impact your readers?
Those who have read a significant amount of my work are sure to notice some themes. First, I feel drawn to writing about girls and women, and I’d especially like my female readers to know that their stories and experiences matter, even if they feel ordinary. Second, I like to explore characters at their lowest – when hopes are crushed, and revelations are unexpected. Some I resolve with compensatory blessings. Others, I don’t. My hope is that readers who are in the pit of despair will know that they are not alone, and others can understand what it’s like when our bodies, our minds, and our world are not ideal.
What else have you been doing, whether in writing, other creative fields, or life? My short story “I Did Obey the Voice of the Spirit” which made the long list for the 11th Annual Mormon Lit Blitz was published by Irreantum I Did Obey the Voice of the Spirit - Irreantum (associationmormonletters.org). Other short stories (including one about a girl who hears the Spirit through music) and a novel (about a secondary world where you can summon magical beings) are in progress. I provide updates on my blog Blog – Annaliese Lemmon as well as reviews of things I’ve read recently. You can also sign up for my newsletter to be notified of further publications. Newsletter Sign-up – Annaliese Lemmon
Thank you, Annaliese Lemmon, for sharing your insights with us for the Lit Blitz Hall of Fame!
To receive updates on the Mormon Lit Blitz and other contests, please subscribe to our newsletter. If you would like to support the Mormon Lit Lab, you can do so on Patreon.
Kommentare