5 (or so) Questions with Folly Short Story 2nd Prizewinner, Fritha Waters

Writing under: F L S Waters, Fritha is a UK writer based in Norfolk, who writes mainly short and flash fiction.

Can you tell us about your writing journey and how you discovered Folly Journal through Writers HQ?

I’ve always written in some form or another, mainly short stories, though I did manage to squeeze out a novel a decade or so ago (albeit a series of short stories which made up the main story!). During lockdown I took the opportunity to try and spend a bit more time on writing which is when I discovered Writers HQ, on online set of courses and exercises which really helped me hone down and develop my writing. Their online community is extremely helpful and supportive. They have a competitions section which is where I saw the Folly Journal Short Story Prize advertised. I’d submitted ‘That’s Just Her’ to a few publications but when I saw that Folly were looking for ‘honest and truthful’ writing, I thought it might just fit. I loved the sound of Folly’s ethos and I’m so honoured to have been selected for their Journal.

Congratulations on being a second prize winner in the Folly Journal competition! Your story "That's Just Her" resonated with us. Could you share the inspiration behind the story and what compelled you to write it?

Thank you! I was gob-smacked to be a prize winner and so pleased.

As far as inspiration goes, I think we’ve all met folk like Sarah in one way or another. Like a lot of writers, I’m intrigued by the darker side of human nature. ‘That’s Just Her’ was inspired by how badly people sometimes treat each other – in relationships or in friendship groups. The closest people can sometimes leave you feeling the worst, possibly because they know what buttons to press or because you care about them more and so the pain is deeper. But having had friends who do this, you end up asking why are they like this when they’re supposed to be my friend? And why are their comments and behaviour dismissed with a ‘That’s just them’ comment?

It’s a destructive trait that some people have, it’s as if they don’t trust anyone enough to get close to them, and so rely on insults and arguments to constitute some form of meaningful relationship.

Short and flash fiction seem to be your forte. What draws you to these concise formats, and how do you approach crafting a compelling narrative within such limited space?

To be honest, it’s probably more a question of staying power and attention span. As a reader I really enjoy a punchy short story, one which goes for the jugular and has a lasting impact, the ones that resonate deep down, so much so that it stops you in your tracks. Also, the things which inspire me are often formed around a pinpoint of an idea, they sometimes don’t need a lot of padding or back stories, but obviously this relies on how well the story is crafted.

Norfolk, where you're based, has a unique charm and character. How do your surroundings influence your writing? Are there specific aspects of Norfolk that find their way into your stories?

There are some really beautiful places in Norfolk, especially the beaches. But in fact, it’s places like the Fens (bordering Norfolk, Lincolnshire and Cambridgeshire and are flat, low lying marsh lands) which I find the most inspiring. Because the land is so flat, the expanse of sky is fantastically huge and there is a wild, bleak beauty to it. Empty, untamed places have found their ways into my stories recently, in contrast to previous busy and populated settings such as Edinburgh where I lived for a few years.

Following your success in the Folly Journal competition, what future projects are you working on? Can we expect more engaging short and flash fiction from you in the near future?

I certainly hope so. Being published by Folly has done wonders for my confidence as a writer and it’s really inspired me to write more; I definitely have some ideas for future stories as well as maybe attempting a novella in flash. With two children and a full-time job it’s pretty hard to find the time to write but I’m going to try and be a bit more disciplined.

What advice would you give to emerging writers looking to get their work out there?

Probably just don’t be put off by rejections – and keep writing, just jot down every idea you’ve got, and some things will stick. I’ve got so many projects and ideas that I stress about, i.e. I haven’t finished, they’re not good enough etc, but I’ve told myself to relax about it and concentrate on the writing first and foremost (and dare I say enjoy it!). You can always go back to it at a later date.

Also, show your work to others – whether you intend to put it out to publishers or not. When I had the first draft of ‘That’s Just Her’ and put it out to people, I didn’t get any real feedback, it wasn’t particularly liked, but with a good load of editing (courtesy of a fantastic member of Writer’s HQ who helped me through about 3 drafts) it got there.