Last November, I was paid for my writing for the first time in my life. I’d won a Commended prize for flash fiction in the Federation of Writers Scotland’s Autumnal Equinox writing competition. It’s a comedic piece written in first person about a Scottish woman who believes life has gone downhill as she’s aged, but desperately wants recognition from her fellow church parishioners for her Christian deeds. Parts of it are written in Scots. With any writer, you take a story in real life and stretch the truth – and for me – to one of extreme comic value and so no content of this story is entirely true. I also really enjoyed working with the Scots language – it can be literal, biting, and at times, satirical. So, I felt it lent well to this particular story. However, I hope you find solace in that the main character finds recognition (and retribution even though not intentionally and without malice). And to all writers out there struggling for their work to be recognised, this story h