Annie Bien, London Independent Story Prize 2024 1st Competition, Flash Fiction Finalist, 'We Found a Body'

London Independent Story Prize 2024 1st Competition, Flash Fiction Finalist 'We Found a Body' by Annie Bien

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

I begin each day with meditation and a workout. 

- When and how did you get into writing?

It seems that from a very early age I was making up stories. Currently I’m nearing completion on a big project a long time in making, a historical novel on the Sixth Dalai Lama (1685-1706), A Dalai Lama in Love, co-written with Dr. Robert Thurman, and it’s nearing completion. Will be very excited when that’s published. I’m also writing a novel-in-progress of my own in its second draft, and putting together memoir about my father, since I promised to write his biography but he died so soon after he asked me to write it that I didn’t get enough of what he really wanted to say so I have had to find a different approach.

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

I write a little bit every day, not necessarily what I’m working on, but to get my writing exercised and to relax. 

- How does it feel to have your work recognised (recognition can be winning a competition and/or getting your work published/produced)?

It feels great to have my work recognized. I haven’t published anything for a while in flash fiction, and thought I’d lost connection to it, so this has been very gratifying and reassuring.

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

The most challenging thing about writing a story or poetry is knowing where to start and where to end.

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

Because I promised to write my father’s story but now really only have a date book with places he lived, a few notes of what I wrote for him, and some of my mother’s diary excerpts, I started last summer to put together a map/memoir of my memories of what he said to me as his biography. This flash came from one of those stories and it happens to be the Day 1 prompt from FlashNano 2023

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

Write often, journal, and write without expectations even if you have a goal. Read your writing aloud. 

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

The best thing and most challenging thing about competitions is the deadline. 

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

Please submit to LISP. Your writing will be read with enthusiasm.