Jean Roarty, London Independent Story Prize 3rd Round 2024 Short Story Finalist, 'Always Her Best Girls'

London Independent Story Prize 3rd Round 2024 Short Story Finalist, 'Always Her Best Girls', Jean Roarty

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

I worked as a secretary in a hospital and have two children. I enjoy sports and travel.

- When and how did you get into writing?

PS: Please feel free to mention your previously published works or awards or any other achievements in writing. We want to learn all about your writing life!

I started writing when I attended a Creative Writing class years ago and continued on with it. I have had success in a number of competitions. My stories have been published in anthologies and other places including Labello Press, Magic Oxygen, Fiction Factory, Southword 38 New International Writing and, most recently, in the Melbourne based Minds Shine Bright forthcoming anthology called Light and Shadow.

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

I write in bursts. When I have an idea for a story, it totally consumes me, or if I am attending a writing course, that ‘sword in my back’ makes me write more often. Having something to say inspires me to write. In my own way I try to give voice to the silenced.

- How does it feel to have your work recognised?

It is a great boost whenever a story gets published. When, what starts off as handwritten notes, gets to be a story and is read by others, it is very rewarding.

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

The best thing for me about writing a short story is the process. When I’m writing a story at times it makes me laugh, and at times it makes me cry. The most challenging thing is making sure it includes all the ingredients for a short story regardless of whether it is linear or nonlinear.

-  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?

The idea for this LISP story came from media coverage of a controversial issue in Ireland about assisted dying. A Bill entitled Voluntary Assisted Dying Bill 2024 was put before government. To date it has not been passed. There is not really an idea behind the story as such, other than hearing about people that would have availed of assisted suicide if it was legal.

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

 I remind myself that even less is more and to trust the reader. Have the courage to be a little transgressive in the sense of writing things that people normally might not like to say. Hold the moment at certain places in the story—be aware of the need for pauses. Play the rests as they say in music.

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

The best thing about competitions is that it makes you do further edits. Entering a competition is like buying a lottery ticket not expecting to win. Then, when you have a bit of success, it seems all the sweeter.  Also entering a competition enables you to learn more about an organisation or a writer you might not be familiar with and you gain experience in dealing with editors and the publication process. The challenging bit is not to give up.

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

Yes, I would strongly recommend writers submit to LISP.