Lizzie Holden, London Independent Story Prize 3rd Round 2024, Poetry Winner, 'The Silver Grey'

London Independent Story Prize 3rd Round 2024, Poetry Winner - The Silver Grey - Lizzie Holden

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

I spend a great deal of the day watching the sea, and when I’m not doing that I’m coaching leaders and writing poetry.

- When and how did you get into writing?

Like so many people, it was grief that catapulted me into poetry. My wife died suddenly and I found I could only express myself through metaphors. The language I would have used previously to describe how I felt, just didn’t have the capacity  I needed.  A very wise person suggested I write poetry, and once I began I could not stop.

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

I write when the poetry arrives. Sometimes poems present themselves whole, the ignition for these is usually a feeling. Other times, a line or two appears and I stop what I’m doing to note them down on my phone. Beach walks seem to be a fertile time for me.

I have a monthly session with my mentor and that creates a great rhythm and stimulus -I enjoy the cycle of production, revision, feedback, revision, editing and submission. He is wonderfully supportive and generous with his insight. Knowing  that I have a reader, creates great impetus and purpose.  The process of sharing, listening and discussing my work with him is as much a pleasure as the writing.

- How does it feel to have your work recognised?

To know I offered something the judges found impactful is heart-warming. It’s immensely satisfying when the final stage of the writing process is a poem finding  a good home.

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

For me the joy of writing is distilling the complexities into a few lines, creating something someone can then just pick  up and take away for themselves. The difficulty I sometimes face is jettisoning the line which I love but isn’t really working for the poem as a whole.

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

The Silver Grey encapsulates the moment I gave my wife’s night dress to the funeral director, so she could be buried in it. It was written five years later. It took ten minutes to write and a lot longer to revise and edit.

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

Be truthful, not poetic.

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

Competitions are a route into the world for your poems.  I love the moment of optimism when I press submit. However, prior to that, I find proof-reading and following the rules very challenging.

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

Absolutely! Look what can happen! You can win!