The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Fife writer Laura Cation reflects on her awardwinning lockdown short story You Must Stay Inside...
Q Where in the world are you happiest?
A Usually in a bookshop with lots of dark corners of shelves to explore. Toppings in St Andrews is a perfect example!
Q Favourite part of Scotland to explore?
A This is a tough one as I have two absolute favourites: Glasgow is my favourite Scottish city but I love the Highlands (around Aviemore and Grantownon-spey areas). I am very much missing both areas at the moment.
Q What was your Plan B, in terms of a career?
A I had always wanted to be an an actress so probably still that, or a full time writer. I am very creative so either of these definitely!
Q Which musicians, alive or dead, inspire you?
A Eva Cassidy. She has such an amazing voice and is very talented. I also love Beverley Knight. Again she has such a fantastic, soulful voice and seems very down to Earth which I think is important as people become famous and successful – never to lose their roots.
Q Your house is on fire, what one item do you save?
A My mum’s old violin which must be about 70 years old. I took it up again after she passed away at the end of 2018 and I’m currently working towards my Grade 2. I love practising and playing, it helps me unwind and lose myself completely. I also feel closer to her too when I play.
Q How did lockdown 2020 affect you?
A It felt very strange and perhaps the hardest part was structuring my working day from home but I managed it. I enjoyed the sudden quietness of life and the eerie apocalyptic way my street unfolded during the first few days. This very much inspired me to write my short story You Must Stay Inside and I was delighted to win the Lockdown Writing Challenge, as well as being able to work with the debut writer Charlotte Valentine.
Q Theme song for your life?
A Fighter by Christina Aguilera.
Q Last meal on Earth?
A I like a nice healthy stirfry so probably that.
Q Dream dinner party guests?
A Hugh Jackman (my idol), Mary Shelley (author of my favourite book), Katie
Piper (my role model and life inspiration), Lee Mack (great comedian) and Danny Dyer (great actor and just like him generally).
Q Tell us something about yourself that most people don’t know?
A I painted a mini portrait of the late Andrew Sachs (Manuel in Fawlty Towers) and I sent him a copy. I was delighted to receive a hand-written note from him, thanking me and saying he would put it up in his little study.
Q Favourite holiday destination?
A Lisbon in Portugal.
Q What was the last book you read?
A Calm by Fearne Cotton. A great book to really put things in perspective and just consider the pressures of life so we can stop for a minute, taking some much needed time for ourselves.
Q If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
A It would have to be Scampi Fries, as unpopular as they would probably make me! I absolutely love them.
Q What makes you sad?
A Bullies. I am a firm believer in the quote “If you can be anything, be kind”.
Kindness costs nothing at all and it is how I was brought up.
Q What was the first album you ever bought?
A The Wombles Christmas Party album at the old Tesco in the Wellgate in Dundee. My grandad gave my sister and me money. I still have it somewhere but just need a vintage record player!
Q What is the best advice you have ever received, and who did it come from?
A You’re just as good as anyone else. You can only do your best. This came from my dad.
Q What do you do to unwind?
A I usually watch TV, I am loving Grace and Frankie on Netflix at the moment... or I will read or practise violin. I also enjoy writing and have been taking part in online writing retreats organised by Solus.
Unlocked is a collection of 13 stories from 13 women. They are from inside lockdown 2020 and are a result of a writing challenge organised by the writer Charlotte Valentine. All royalties from the book are going to NHS Charities Together and Covid-19 Solidarity Response Fund.