Interview with Alice Castle – one of our Flash Fiction Competition judges

How did you become a writer?
I always wanted to write; I started off making magazines like Good Mousekeeping for my dolls. I was very excited when I first realised you could get paid to write on newspapers. I wasn’t so keen on writing facts, though – as any of my news editors would tell you. I tried to write my first novel while on maternity leave; it was eventually published when my eldest daughter was fourteen. Things have speeded up quite a bit since then!

What inspires &/or motivates your writing?
Dulwich is my muse! It’s both the setting and the inspiration for my London Murder Mystery books starring amateur sleuth and single mum Beth Haldane.

What are you working on currently?
I am working on a variation on the murder mystery theme, a larger scope whodunit based around a locked room mystery.

What advice would you give to someone attempting to write short fiction for the first time?
I wrote my first short story earlier this year and it was an eye-opener! You really don’t have a lot of time to develop things, so make every word count, and of course enjoy the ride

Which book(s) or poem(s) would you suggest as being a good read during this time of social distancing?
I’ve fallen back on comfort reads like my beloved Agatha Christies. I’m also eyeing up another favourite, I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith. A wonderful and puzzling world to immerse yourself in

Alice Castle is an author, blogger and book reviewer.

Alice is also taking part in Artists’ Open House this year.

The Festival Flash Fiction Competition 2020 was open to entries from adults and children alike, the story could be about anything of your choice. The deadline for entries was 5 to midnight on Friday 15th May 2020. For more details please see the entry instructions.