Deborah Cleland-Harris, London Independent Story Prize 3rd Round 2024 Flash Fiction Finalist, 'That Afternoon'

London Independent Story Prize 3rd Round 2024 Flash Fiction Finalist, Deborah Cleland-Harris, 'That Afternoon'

Q - When and how did you get into writing?

A – Once upon a time, when I was a young child, I loved writing poems and short stories… As an adult I continued writing, but in the field of journalism. I covered an array of subjects including travel, TV/film, and celebrities… Then one day last year, I thought: “I don’t want to look back on my life and wish that I’d just tried!” So, here I am back focusing on my first love, creative writing...

Achievements so far include being in the finals with a short monologue called The Forgottens for Talking Horse Productions, Colombia, USA. While a short horror story called The Escape was recently published by Flash Phantoms. I’m now proud to say that my story That Afternoon has been selected by LISP in the category of Flash Fiction!

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

A - I write most days, with breaks to clear my head and get a fresh perspective on my work. Anything can inspire me to write, a random thought (I have a lot of those), a dream, a feeling, and of course my personal experiences.

Q - How does it feel to have your work recognised?

A - It feels wonderful to be recognised for my hard work and it incentivises me to continue my writing journey.

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

A - Editing a story is perhaps the most challenging part of the creative process. I can get a story down on paper quickly but getting it “perfect” takes time. Putting your story to one side for a few days or more, can help open a whole new perspective on it, and you might even connect some unexpected dots.

Q -  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?

A - That Afternoon is based on my relationship with my absent father… There aren’t many childhood moments that I recall from our times together, but I remember snippets of things such as having my first driving lesson with him one afternoon… Sadly, I never knew when I would see him again, so this is a poignant story for me.

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

A - Write from the heart and the words will flow. When I’m working on something that feels authentic, I end up in a kind of trance and only stop when I’ve got every thought written down.

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

A - Every competition offers a chance to refine your writing skills… And if you’re selected, it’s a way into a new world where other opportunities may exit. However, some patience is required, as it can take several months to hear back, and it may not always be with the news you’d hoped for… But when you do receive an email that says “Congratulations,” it’s a great feeling… It’s heartwarming to think that someone out there enjoyed reading your story.

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

A - Of course, writers should submit to LISP. It's a chance to get your creative work published in the LISP anthology, and as a writer, you want your work out there being read and talked about!