Contributor Spotlight: Leesa Cross-Smith
Leesa Cross-Smith’s story “Skee Ball, Indiana” appears in Midwestern Gothic Issue 10, out now.
How long have you been writing?
When I was a little girl, I’d cut out pictures from my mom’s magazines and catalogs, laminate them and give them names, background stories. So as far back as I can remember, I’ve written down ideas for characters/stories. But I only started taking it seriously a couple of years ago. (As seriously as I can take it!)
What’s your connection to the Midwest?
I was born and raised in Kentucky. My extended family is from the Deep South, but a lot of people I love live in the Midwest. Some of my best girlfriends. I love spending time there, especially in the country. We spend a lot of time in Indiana since it’s right across the river.
How has the Midwest influenced your writing?
I’ve spent a lot of time driving through the Midwest. I’ve spent a lot of time in big Midwestern cities, both as a child and an adult. There’s a hardiness there, not unlike the south. I love writing/reading about Americana, things that feel familiar and comforting. The Midwest feels that way to me.
Why do you believe there has never really been a regionalist push for Midwestern writing in the past like there has with the South or even the West Coast?
People tend to think that everything is happening somewhere else, not where they are. There’s a song by Jason Aldean called “Fly Over States” (allow me this because I love country music) and in it he says “You’ll understand why God made those fly over states. Have you ever been through Indiana?” And it’s this idea that although some things in this country are often overlooked; these middle-of-nowhere towns, corn fields, farms…they are indeed little treasures worth writing about and singing about. Now it seems like every writer I know is from the Midwest!
How do you feel about social media to promote your writing, and do you use it?
I use Twitter, Tumblr and my personal website. I’m down with some of it. I’m way too private to be all up on it everyday talking about everything, but it’s most excellent when it comes to connecting with people easily, all across the world. And I’ve met some awesome, kind people I hope I know forever. Fersure.
Favorite book?
My all-time favorite book is the Bible because it contains my all-time favorite story which is the story of Jesus. My other favorites besides Harry Potter are The Beach by Alex Garland, Circle of Friends by Maeve Binchy and Dharma Bums by Jack Kerouac.
Favorite food?
Spicy noodles, sushi. Cake.
If you could have coffee (or tea or a beer) with any literary figure, alive or dead, who would it be?
Strong, morning coffee and a shared hand-rolled cigarette with Jack Kerouac. (I don’t smoke, but I’d smoke with him.) Butterbeer with Harry, Ron and Hermione. Tea and cookies with Apostle Paul.
Where can we find more information about you?
LeesaCrossSmith.com or WhiskeyPaper.com or brightlywound.tumblr.com
