Lorinda Boyer, LISP 2025 Flash Fiction Finalist, 'Pretending I Don't Exist'

Could you please tell us about yourself and your daily routine?

My name is Lorinda Boyer. I live in Bellingham, Washington in the United States which is just north of Canada. I’m married to my wife, Sandy. We got married when gay marriage became law in the U.S. I love to run, read, write, drink coffee- a lot of coffee! I’m active in my local LGBTQ+ community.

When and how did you start writing?

I have always loved to write. I began writing as a child in my journals/diaries and never stopped. My memoir was published in 2021 and since then I’ve been published in fourteen anthologies and in several online journals. My memoir, Straight Enough, has won eight awards.

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

My goal is to write everyday even if it’s just a short entry into a personal journal. I’m inspired to write about what I know. I write about my journey through Conversion Therapy, coming out in middle age and parenting a neurodivergent child and anything I feel passionate about.

How does it feel to have your work acknowledged, whether through being a finalist in a competition or having it published? 

It is so reassuring, confirming and utterly wonderful to be published, acknowledged. I feel like I’m doing something worthwhile. It’s equally satisfying to be acknowledged by a reader of my work. To know that I touched someone’s life.

What's the most rewarding and challenging aspect of writing a story? 

Sitting down and beginning is always the hardest part! The most rewarding thing is the feeling when a piece comes together, and you just know it’s what you were hoping it would be.

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

This piece came to me after a rally I was a part of in support of my trans brothers and sisters. Marching that day, surrounded by beautiful souls I loved and cared deeply for, prompted me to sit down and write this short piece.

Please share a few tips on writing stories. 

Take inspiration from the world around you, the causes dear to your heart, the topics you know and feel confident to write about and then write. Just sit down and begin. You can always revise but not if you don’t write first! (Writing about what you don’t know is of course also good and challenging but maybe not when you are first starting out.)

What are the best and most challenging aspects of competitions? 

The best aspect is the challenge. Putting yourself out there, being vulnerable and giving it your best. The most challenging part is doing it. It’s not easy to put your heart out there for others to read and critique.

Finally, would you recommend that the writers consider submitting to LISP?

Absolutely, I would. I’m so impressed by the diversity found in LISP and the professionalism.