Ali Seegar, London Independent Story Prize, 2024 Anthology, Poetry Finalist, 'Silent Cry'

Ali Seegar, London Independent Story Prize, 2024 Anthology Finalist, 'Silent Cry'

- Can you please tell us about you and your daily life?

Hailing originally from the UK, I moved to Luxembourg nearly twenty-five years ago where I now live with my Dutch husband. After working in marketing for many years, I am now in the fortunate position to have time to write without the distraction of a full-time job.

- When and how did you get into writing?

I can’t remember a time when I haven’t written something. In fact I have the requisite ‘inspiring author’s’ drawer full of three-chapter manuscripts waiting to be retrieved and turned into novel! I have self-published a couple of middle grade books (the first of which was a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Awards) and I am currently working on a YA fantasy series as well as a YA contemporary romantasy. One of my writing highlights was winning the LISP 2nd Half in 2021 with my short story ‘Nothing Happens Until Something Moves’, (https://www.londonindependentstoryprize.co.uk/post/nothing-happens-until-something-moves-by-ali-seegar) which was a wonderful surprise.

- How often do you write? Do you have a writing routine? And what inspires you to write?

I try to write every day; my fingers get itchy if I’ve not had time to write for a couple of days! I used to force myself to write a certain number of words per writing session but I now prefer to write less but more precisely (hopefully that means less editing at the end!). I find poetry develops in my head over time like a puzzle, which then suddenly comes together: often when I’m out walking, in which case I will have to whip out my phone to record the words there and then or I’ll inevitably have forgotten them by the time I reach home.

- How does it feel to have your work recognised?

Although I’ve now been writing and studying writing for years, I still have bouts of imposter syndrome when I think nothing I write is worth reading. Having my work recognised makes the time spent ruminating over the right word or phrase worth every edit. It’s a validation that I do have something to say that can inspire or touch someone else.

- What's the best and most challenging thing about writing Poetry? 

When I’m writing poetry, I love playing with the words, hearing the sounds they make together and the emotions they create when combined. It’s very organic process. I do find it hard to know when to say, okay this poem is finished ... but as we ourselves are constantly changing, perhaps it never really is!

-  How did you develop the idea for your LISP-selected poem? Is there a story behind your poem? And, how long have you been working on it?

I started this poem during one of the poetry modules of my creative writing diploma. We had to find an environmentally based news item that touched us emotionally. The photos of the devastating aftereffects of this tragedy were shocking. We were also looking at how form and shaping can add meaning to a poem. As I had the gulls speaking in the middle of the poem, I tried to bring them into the whole poem by using the lines to create the shape of a hovering gull.

- Can you please give us a few tips about writing Poetry?

I personally believe poetry is very subjective; there are so many different forms and styles that one person may love and another will hate. So I believe you should write a poem primarily for yourself; it is your unique interpretation of whatever it is you want to write about or express. If you let it come from your heart, it will hopefully find its way into someone else’s.

- What's the best thing and the most challenging thing about competitions? 

I can’t deny that the best thing is winning, followed very closely by being in the final selection! But it can be challenging to send out your work not knowing if it’s something that the judges will respond positively to. I think it’s important to develop a thick skin and realise that, as with every art form, not everyone will love what you create but there will always be those who do.

- Lastly, do you recommend the writers submit to LISP?

Absolutely! It is a great way to get your work in front of a panel of respected and acclaimed writers and poets. LISP are also really generous in actively promoting the winners and finalists. To anyone who is hesitating, I would say take the plunge as you never know what might happen.