We had the privilege of talking with Lisa Fox on winning third place overall in this year's Writer's Games.

WW: What encouraged you to participate in Writer's Games this year?

LF: This is actually my fourth year participating in the games. It is my favorite of all the writing competitions I enter because it pushes me out of my comfort zone. I tend to write a lot of flash fiction, so potential story lengths of up to 5,000 or 6,000 words can be daunting! I've become much more comfortable with longer pieces in the years I've participated, and have also learned to trust my instincts as a writer. It's like running a marathon against yourself... all you can hear is your own breathing, your thrumming heart, and the pounding beat of your journey on the pavement as the ideas take hold and you fight against yourself, your own impostors, and the clock! I wouldn't miss it!

WW: What were you worried or nervous about coming into this year's Games?

LF: Always, the question—what if I can't do this? What if I freeze on the blank page and nothing happens? What if the stories I come up with are flat-out lame, or not as strong as my other work? What if instead of progressing, I'm regressing? It's always that same ball of nerves, every time I think about writing. What happens if the well dries up?

WW: What kept you motivated to participate in each Event? 

LF: Knowing that I could never win if I quit. Stop running and you're out of the race. Keep going, and you never know what's going to happen--there's always a chance for something amazing. There's always a chance to surprise yourself. And have fun in the process, since, well, that's what this is all supposed to be about anyway.

WW: How did life's challenges affect your writing?

LF: I have a busy life outside of writing, so there's always the need to work around. Work around prior commitments. Work around my kids' schedules. Work around work. This year, the first round fell on the weekend when my husband and I went to the beach for a big country music festival, and I didn't have time to even think about writing until late Sunday night when we were home. (As life has it, though, this music festival on the beach and me freaking out about it being too "people-y" set the foundation for my story that's featured in this year's anthology...) Just proves you can find stories everywhere. 

WW: Which Event did you have the most fun with?

LF: There were two... It's A Disaster, because I was able to go full-on bonkers with my idea, and BINGO, because it was SUCH a challenge fitting in five obscure prompts.

WW: Which Event was more challenging for you than the rest?

LF: They were all challenging for different reasons. But probably the most daunting was actually my favorite—It's a Disaster. Obviously there are only so many event topics to go around, and you are bound to see some repeats if you do this competition enough times. But the last time I wrote to It's a Disaster a few years back, it generated one of my absolute favorite pieces, like ever. It was really hard to get that story out of my brain to clean the slate and come up with something new. But I'm so glad I did. I may even like this round's Disaster story better than the last one!

WW: Where do you find inspiration?

LF: Everywhere! In the people I meet, conversations I have, things I see on the news, things that make me happy... my best stories, though, come from the things that scare me. Writing to the things that frighten you doesn't mean you have to write horror—at least not all the time. I've written comedic pieces, sentimental pieces, Sci Fi, Fantasy—so many genres based on what scares me. I find it's my most honest work.

WW: What's the best writing advice someone has ever given you and who said it? How did it change your perspective on writing?

LF: Actually, it wasn't "writing advice" per se, but something a former business colleague used to say when it came to sales. "SYWSYLSWN"—"Some you win, some you lose, so what's next?" Rejection is tough. Losing is hard. Negative feedback, especially if delivered callously, stings like a... you know. But, they are temporary setbacks. There are more opportunities, as long as you don't give up. Nothing good comes from wallowing forever—lick your wounds and move on. So... what's next? 

WW: What advice would you give to writers thinking about participating in next year's Games?

LF: Don't hesitate, just do it! And when you're in, lock in. No matter what, don't quit. Even if you write what you think is a crap story, give in to the word vomit if you need to and just submit something. You can always fix it after the competition is over, or trash it if you want. But staying in the game IS the game. Don't stop, don't quit. 

Responses are published as received.

Lisa will be our guest judge for Fiction Potluck's October challenge!

About Lisa Fox:

Lisa Fox is a pharmaceutical market researcher by day and fiction writer by night. She survives—and sometimes even thrives—in the chaos of suburban New Jersey life with her husband, two teenage sons, and quirky Double-Doodle dog. Her first short story collection, Core Truths, launched in 2023 and her second, Passageways: Short Speculative Fiction was published in 2024. Lisa’s work has been featured in Amazing Stories, Uncharted Magazine, Dark Matter, Bards and Sages Quarterly, and Metaphorosis, among others. Lisa has had work nominated for the Pushcart Prize and for Best Small Fictions. You can find Lisa and her published work via her website: lisafoxiswriting.com or on Twitter/X @iamlisafox10800.