Alice Elizabeth Evans, LISP 4th Quarter 2020 Official Selection, Short Story

LISP 4th Quarter 2020 Official Selection Short Story, 'Show Pony Flesh' by Alice Elizabeth Evans

Can you please tell us about your daily life?

I write every day, first thing in the morning or very late at night. I feel it’s a way of stealing time for thought and reflection outside the day-to-day. Writing punctuates dullness and routine with imagination. I’ve found it really exciting to allow my creative self a freedom on the page. I usually make short films as a visual artist when I can, and so, I thought of this short story as a way to make a film without actually filming it. Ideas drift in and out all day every day and I’m lucky when I have time to catch them before they disappear. Writing this piece felt visceral, like I was being taken over by something else outside me. I have been reading a lot of modernist fiction and poetry recently and so I guess that had an influence too. Some of what I have been feeling about this current moment came into the work; anger, frustration, hope and melancholy. I miss people right now and so communicating through the story and knowing someone appreciates my writing made me smile a lot.

How does it feel to have your work recognised?

I’m thrilled that someone liked it as I really enjoyed writing it. I feel excited at knowing someone else out there appreciates the work. It is a really wonderful feeling. I would write every day anyway but when people connect with the work it is a total joy.

What's the best thing and the hardest thing about writing a Short Story?

The hardest thing is to switch off the inner critic. The best thing is when you get a flow going.

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

I’m not sure how long I worked on it if I’m honest. Sometimes hours and even days disappear if I’m lucky enough to have and also be in a writing zone, so this is a hard question.

Can you please give us a few tips about writing a short story?

Be free, find any space you can and enjoy the process. Writing is a thankless task if you work with an audience in mind. Your own inner critic is usually the least helpful. If you write in your own way, eventually someone will understand and relate, occasionally, they might appreciate it. It’s always the human connections we make that are the most important. Writing is an intimate process between writer and reader, and it is a real pleasure to share a creative process with other sparking minds.

What's the best thing and the hardest thing about writing competitions?

Rejection is hard, but regarding it as a part of a writing process is a liberating thing. It worth it when something is occasionally appreciated by other humans.

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

Yes, worth a go. Good luck! Only you can tell this story.