Exeter Writers

 Elizabeth Pratt is a transplanted American who took root in the UK way back in the carefree 90’s. She lives happily in West Wales with her fella, a few cats, and an untamed vegetable garden. She’s enamoured with writing short stories and flash fiction of all genres, but has also just finished her first novel, Past Dominion. She won the HE Bates Award in 2018 and the Frome Festival Prize in 2020, and was shortlisted for the Rhys Davies Short Story Competition in 2021. She also writes as Elizabeth Ardith Aylward. Where did you get the idea for your story? What came first, character or plot? I usually start with a character that I think will be interesting, and I put them in a bad situation to see what happens. I thought of a young girl in a fading industry town, and the limited opportunities she’d have to find a brighter future. Then I gave her a weird friend who could help, and it took off from there. What is your writing process? I try to write every day, even if it’s just a long ...

  Bobby-Darin Won't Be Giving Refunds  by  Elizabeth Pratt We wake up early on Saturday morning, even though we don’t have to, because Bobby-Darin’s magic show is coming to town. Firstly, no, not that Bobby Darin – just another kid whose momma was into the singer way back in the ice age. Our Bobby-Darin wasn’t even born back then – he’s only twelve, same as me – and besides, his name has a stick that goes in the middle. Secondly, when we say he’s coming to town what we mean is he’s opening the garage door up and letting anyone who can pay a nickel see the show. There is nothing much going on in Laidlow, Alaska, so we are pretty much going to be his audience and truck along to go and stare in at him. Bobby-Darin says a good magician has to work with what he’s got, and what he’s got isn’t much.      It’s a fine day, with bright Spring sunlight right in my face as I open the door to get us all out. There’s a troop of us today, and then some, because all the mo...