How did you first get to know CafeLit?
1. I first heard of CaféLit about twelve years ago when I was in a writing group with Gail Aldwin and she told me about it. It took ages for me to pluck up the courage to send anything; my first story was published almost ten years ago in December 2014.
What do you like about it?
1. CaféLit is a great way to read all sorts of stories and encounter a wide variety of authors. For me it is also a place to try out different genres and styles, it’s always good to have comments and know that as a writer I am connecting with readers.
Tell us a little about the story or stories you have in the volume
1. I have four stories in CaféLit 13. I feel a bit greedy, but above all very pleased to be in the company of so many excellent writers.
a. Susan and the Stag Beetles is an attempt to use the ‘Once upon a time…’ technique to get across a serious point about an endangered species that a lot of people find frightening. I chose ice cold ginger beer as the drink because it is redolent of warm summer days and evening when the beetles are most likely to be flying.
b. Hypnagogia was written for the Mani Literary Festival in 2021, the theme was ‘Memory’. It was inspired by holidays in Corfu and a fascination with the narrow channel that separates the island from Albania. As for the drink, rosemary is for remembrance and it grows prolifically on the island.
c. The Last Night was a response to a writing challenge, but I’ve forgotten the exact topic! The single malt was because I’d just bought a bottle for my husband’s birthday.
d. Looking Over the Edge I live about four miles from Knowlton church and earthworks. Its history is fascinating and the story is about the Christian and pre-Christian uses of the site. It’s a bit spooky, so I though tea and crumpets were a good antidote.
Do you have a favourite “Creative Cafe”?
1. I have never written in a café before, but I went to Café Aroma in Verwood to pose for this photo.
Do you have any
writing news?
1. I’m really trying to get my collection of stories about a small town in France early in the twentieth century published. I spent ages writing the stories, editing them, etc etc and then being afraid to actually send them to a publisher. I hope to see the collection published by Bridge House. As well as this:
a. For the first time I heard one of my stories on the radio. I entered a competition run by Victory Radio in Portsmouth, and my story ‘No More Heroes’ was in their Top 40 entries and was read on air. I then sent to story to CaféLit and it has just been published there. Thank You.
b. I’ve been looking at old stories that have never been published, asking myself why not? What’s wrong with it and how can I improve it?
c. Writing flash fiction, I really enjoy doing this and every so often a piece of flash fiction turns into a longer story.
d. Sadly saying goodbye to SOUTH poetry magazine. I’ve been on the management team for six years, but now due to rising costs and falling numbers of subscribers the magazine is having to close after 35 years.
e. Looking out of the window.
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