Read My Stories
Slobberings of Survival for the Thinking Woman
This story is in the Chick Lit genre and was inspired by the film adaptation of Helen Fielding's novel Bridget Jones' Diary . Chick Lit is self-depreciating on purpose, as it enables us to delve into our psyche and take a good look at what's going on in there. We often find cultural conditioning has taken up residence and set up steel grip barriers to prevent us achieving our ultimate life.
Slobberings of Suvival for the Thinking Woman goes under the skin to expose body image issues. When a psychology lecturer suggested all women had body-image issues, I wasn't convinced. Not long after I realised this problem was so deeply entrenched I was blind to it in myself, and wanted to bring the issue to the attention of other women. Rather than write a serious piece, I chose the self-depreciating humourous style of Chick Lit, as I felt this would reach a wider audience.
This story was printed in the Creative Writing Anthology in 2016. My tutor thought this story would be lapped up by Chick Lit fans and gave me a high distinction.
To Know Thyself
This was the first story I wrote for assessment in my Creative Writing studies. I wanted to impress, but had no idea what to write. What if the lifelong belief I held that I could write was just a fantasy? This was the moment of truth, and I was so scared I turned up at the last tutorial with tears in my eyes. After some gentle encouragement I went home and out came this story of five very different women and their stories of survival, told through the eyes of a photographer. The scars on their breasts represented not just their cancer journey, but their very existence. Still doubtful, I submitted (thank you deadline), and what came back was a very encouraging high distinction of 90, with the words:
Lisa, I’m astonished at why you would almost abandon this project... The writing here is truly lovely – the voice is controlled and consistent, the style showing flashes of flair in the imagery conjured. You really must stop being so hard on yourself!
Dr Ross Watkins, Senior Lecturer Creative Writig
Unexpected Gifts
I wonder sometimes if this is my favourite. I love how writing happens with words seemingly chosing their own order at times, and in this one I love how the words come alive, sliding down a wall, or climbing over a couch. A story of growing up and working out which boundaries to push and which to contain. A story of friendship, and learning how to love yourself, while also being loving and supportive of others. I wrote this chapter with a novel in mind, and think it has the makings of a coming of age novel.
Of this one my tutors Dr Shelley Davidow gave it a high distinction and said it was time I stepped into my author role.
