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 had previously been rejected by two webzines before I won an award for it. So, if you believe in your story, keep submitting because one day you’ll find somebody who gets your work in the same warped way you do.
Pillar Of The Street, and all the other fantastic fiction that won a prize, can be read at Under A Blanket Of Mist.
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