Polly Botsford, LISP 2nd Half 2021, Short Story Finalist

LISP 2nd Half 2021, Short Story Finalist, Polly Botsford by The Letter

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

I am a legal & current affairs journalist, a second career which grew out of my first one as a lawyer (I still do both). In my spare time, creative writing has become my favourite place to go to: I think of it as an eternal summer house where I can watch, listen and absorb the world around me, and observe my own internal narratives.

- Do you have a writing routine?

Absolutely. One hour first thing in the morning before my “real” day starts. I am fanatical about it. Having said that, I was so excited to be selected as a Finalist this morning, I have failed to do my hour today!

- And what inspires you to write?

I don’t really believe in inspiration, I am afraid. I believe in hard graft. The world is inundated with stories waiting to be told. The hard bit is just getting on with telling it in the best possible way.

- How does it feel to have your work recognised?

Completely and utterly magical, especially when I look at LISP’s panel of highly-talented judges and the quality of the other stories submitted.

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

My son is a rower and the club’s boat is called “No Excuses”. The best tip I can give is to stop making excuses for not writing – and get on and write! We all do it and it’s so weird that we do it when we love writing so much. Why do we procrastinate?

- Lastly, do you recommend the writers give a go on LISP?

I would definitely recommend writers give LISP a go because it has a great reputation, fantastic visibility and I am really looking forward to participating in its private Writers Club.