Catherine Edwards, London Independent Story Prize 3rd Round 2024 Poetry Finalist 'St Enoch'

London Independent Story Prize 3rd Round 2024 Poetry Finalist 'St Enoch', Catherine Edwards

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

Originally from Glasgow, then London, I now live with my husband and daughter in rural South Devon near the sea. In my day to day I am a yoga teacher, and choreographer (as Catherine Seymour) collaborating to create dance performance and film projects.The latest installation Bowland Beth (Harbour House Gallery, Kingsbridge and Exeter Dance International Film Festival 2024) was inspired and anchored by the poem of the same name by David Harsent, his elegy to the beautiful, rare, sky dancing bird of prey, the Hen Harrier.

When and how did you get into writing?

I’ve been writing privately for over 30 years, out of a need to try to express something of life that escapes me otherwise. Moving from London to Devon and finding stimulus in the writer led artist development courses, at Theatre Royal Plymouth, has lit a fire under me to commit to getting my writing out of the closet and developing writing for stage and poetry.

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

I spend more time procrastinating about writing than actually writing. Hopefully those in between times are when ideas percolate and get sifted, until out of the general mist comes something more tangible I can start to get down and work into. Early morning and late evening, before or after other work and family commitments are good times. A deadline is very helpful and focusing! Inspiration might come from something either everyday or unusual seen out and about, or a visual image or event. Other times maybe a piece of music, a memory or personal history can be a trigger. Walking up on Dartmoor or by the sea seem to bring the right kind of relaxation which helps.

How does it feel to have your work recognised?

Being a finalist in the LISP Poetry category has come as a massive, happy surprise as St. Enoch is the third piece of writing I’ve submitted anywhere. The support is a real boost.

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

The best thing is trying to drill down as close to the essence of what you want to express as you possibly can and going with your gut and heart. The challenge is fighting with the bit of brain that doubts.

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?

It started at an inspiring writing workshop in Autumn 2024, led by playwright and performer Malaika Kegode in relation to her play Outlier. Her invitation to pull the results of a few speed writing exercises together into a single piece was the beginning of my poem St. Enoch. One of the prompts was to write about the secrets of your hometown; Glasgow for me. I suddenly wondered who the St. Enoch was who one of the underground stations I often used was named after. When I found out, I felt outraged on her behalf and felt a need to share her dramatic life story.

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

For all the other procrastinators like me out there I like the choreographer Merce Cunningham’s advice that “the only way to do it is to do it”

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

The best things are the focus it can bring to the act of writing and, if selected, the support and opportunity to connect with and hear from other writers. The challenging thing is the leap into the unknown.

Lastly, do you recommend the writers submit to LISP?

Yes, what a brilliant opportunity across all writing strands to share our work and feel supported to keep producing and connect to the community of other writers and people  championing the power of words to move.