Elizabeth McKay lives in Ayrshire and has been writing for about twelve years. She works part-time as an admin assistant in a day centre for adults with learning disabilities and writes the rest of the time. As well as short stories she has also had a number of features published in magazines. She has several stories awaiting publication, mainly in Woman's Weekly and Fiction Feast.
My first sale was...
To "Best" in 1997. It was the first story I ever submitted to a magazine and I naively thought everything I sent out after that would be published. It was another five months before I made my next sale!
My family think my writing is...
My family think my writing is...
A good thing although I expect they’re as surprised as I am that it’s taken off as well as it has.
The best/worst thing about writing short stories for magazines is...
The best/worst thing about writing short stories for magazines is...
The best thing for me is when someone says they’ve read one of my stories and enjoyed it (well, they would say that, wouldn’t they!) The worst thing is when people ask when I’m going to write a ‘proper book’ as if short story writing is second class. (And the scariest thing is how the market for magazine stories is shrinking at an incredibly fast rate.)
Long hand first or computer?
Long hand first or computer?
Either, depending on how much time I have. If I’m short of time I write long hand and transfer/edit onto my laptop later. If I’ve got more time and know exactly where the story’s going I’ll write straight onto the screen.
On completing a story I feel...
On completing a story I feel...
Relieved and a great deal of satisfaction.
When I run out of ideas I...
When I run out of ideas I...
Panic! Then I just try and relax by doing something completely different. It doesn’t do any good trying to force ideas.
Ideas come to me when...
Ideas come to me when...
I’m reading, watching TV, eavesdropping - I mean accidentally overhearing other people’s conversations. Song titles can be a good source of inspiration.
My biggest tip for new women’s mag writers would be...
My biggest tip for new women’s mag writers would be...
To familiarise themselves with the magazines and write according to their specifications. Also to be professional at all times.
3 authors – dead or alive I’d like to invite to dinner would be:
3 authors – dead or alive I’d like to invite to dinner would be:
Harper Lee because I think To Kill A Mockingbird is the best book ever written! Maeve Binchy because she’s been a huge inspiration to me and John Grisham because I love his books. I heard him being interviewed on Radio 4 a few years ago and he sounded lovely!
Favourite writing outfit?
Favourite writing outfit?
Whatever I happen to be wearing at the time.
Favourite writing snack?
Favourite writing snack?
Anything covered in chocolate.
Daily Mail or Guardian?
Daily Mail or Guardian?
Am I allowed to say the (Glasgow) Herald!
Corrie or Eastenders?
Corrie or Eastenders?
Definitely Corrie!
