--interview by Marcia Peterson
WOW: Congratulations on placing as a runner up in our Fall 2025 Flash Fiction competition. What prompted you to enter the contest?
Sarah: I love a deadline! It’s hard for me to carve out writing time, so I search for competitions and submissions with deadlines to give me something to work towards and force me to make time to write. I had the story already written and hoped that the themes it explores might be a good fit for WOW. I’ve read the fabulous stories you publish, and it’s an honour to have placed as a runner up.
WOW: Can you tell us what encouraged the idea behind your story, “I Need This Like I Need a Head in the Hole?” It seems like it could be based on the lives of many mothers.
Sarah: I often draw on my experience of fertility and parenthood when writing, especially the impact on mental health and identity. I work full time, have two beautiful, energetic boys, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/M.E., so the stresses that come with balancing life, health and work has been a big influence on my writing, and on this story in particular.
WOW: Can you tell us what encouraged the idea behind your story, “I Need This Like I Need a Head in the Hole?” It seems like it could be based on the lives of many mothers.
Sarah: I often draw on my experience of fertility and parenthood when writing, especially the impact on mental health and identity. I work full time, have two beautiful, energetic boys, and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/M.E., so the stresses that come with balancing life, health and work has been a big influence on my writing, and on this story in particular.
I initially wrote the story for the Not Quite Write Prize for Flash Fiction (for anyone who isn’t familiar with it, have a listen to the podcast). It’s a quarterly contest with different prompts each time. The brief for this one was to break the ‘show don’t tell’ rule. I wanted to play around with the idea of behaviour showing what we’re unable to say. The hole is based on a real hole, a tiny one in my own wall that I managed to convince myself that something was living inside. I’ll blame exhaustion and my peri-menopausal brain!
WOW: We’d love to know more about your writing routines. Could you tell us when and where you usually write? Do you have favorite tools or habits that get you going?
Sarah: I have a very fragmented routine and can't dedicate much time to sriting, as much as I want to. Between work, health, and my boys, by the time I think about writing I’m falling asleep! That’s where the deadlines help. I especially like prompt-based, time limited contests. They can be intense, but they force me to make time and create something new, incorporating characters and settings I'd never have touched otherwise. These are the stories that I will later edit and refine for other submission slots and how I got here with WOW!
I’d love to write every day, and I know that’s what everyone recommends, but it’s just not possible. I try to use evenings and weekends where I can. I work best in a pub or café where I’m free of distractions at home. My husband is very supportive at creating opportunities, and if I know I’ve got a busy writing week with upcoming deadlines, I’ll book time off work where possible.
I’m actually reducing my hours to help manage my CFS/M.E. and I’m hoping to use that extra time writing and add some structure to my writing routine (when I’m not catching up on sleep).
WOW: We’d love to know more about your writing routines. Could you tell us when and where you usually write? Do you have favorite tools or habits that get you going?
Sarah: I have a very fragmented routine and can't dedicate much time to sriting, as much as I want to. Between work, health, and my boys, by the time I think about writing I’m falling asleep! That’s where the deadlines help. I especially like prompt-based, time limited contests. They can be intense, but they force me to make time and create something new, incorporating characters and settings I'd never have touched otherwise. These are the stories that I will later edit and refine for other submission slots and how I got here with WOW!
I’d love to write every day, and I know that’s what everyone recommends, but it’s just not possible. I try to use evenings and weekends where I can. I work best in a pub or café where I’m free of distractions at home. My husband is very supportive at creating opportunities, and if I know I’ve got a busy writing week with upcoming deadlines, I’ll book time off work where possible.
I’m actually reducing my hours to help manage my CFS/M.E. and I’m hoping to use that extra time writing and add some structure to my writing routine (when I’m not catching up on sleep).
WOW: Are you working on any writing projects right now? What’s next for you?
Sarah: I’ve fallen in love with flash fiction, so I’ll continue the prompt-based competitions, and using those stories for other submission slots (including WOW). I started entering these contests shortly after I attempted a first draft of a novel. I quickly realized that I didn't know what I was doing, and I needed to work on my writing skills. Flash fiction contests seemed like a good way to try and improve. That was over a year ago and while I'm not giving up the flash competitions, it's time to slow that down a bit and get back to that novel.
WOW: Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Sarah. Before you go, do you have a favorite writing tip or piece of advice you can share?
Sarah: I’m sure it’s been said a lot, but find a writing community! Through the various competitions I’ve found, I’ve connected with other writers. I’ve joined a couple of discord writing groups where we beta read each other’s work and share ideas. The peer to peer feedback process is so valuable in honing your skills. It's a reciprocal process, providing feedback for others is just as beneficial for your own writing as the feedback you review from them.
These competitions are so helpful for anyone struggling for ideas or motivation. I can recommend Not Quite Write, Writing Battle, and Twisted Tournament (WOW as well, obviously).
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