'Gie me a word' - Mary Irvine interviews debut author Evelyn Lawrie

Where were you born/brought up?

I was born and brought up in Bonhill in 1936.

I went to Bonhill Primary and then the Vale of Leven Academy.

I then attended the West of Scotland Commercial College in Glasgow.

I married a local man and we had three children.

When did you start writing?

I did office work for 48 years.

When I retired I decided I would like to take up creative writing as a hobby.

I went to the Community Centre in Alexandria and joined Leven Litts writers.

I was asked if I wrote prose or poetry.

It was quite daunting as I hadn’t written anything since my last college essay.

I did sign up for an online creative writing course which covered all genres and had a few articles and short stories published during that time.

Have you always written poetry?

No, at first I wrote both prose and poetry.

A few years ago I decided to concentrate on poetry, so I signed up for an online poetry course.

How did the title of the book emerge?

Every week, at the Leven Litts, a ‘prompt’ word was given.

A piece of writing had to be produced for the next meeting, hence the title: ‘Gie me a Word.’

How do you feel having a book published in your more mature years?

Relief, and it’s something for the kids.

Read the review of Evelyn Lawrie's latest collection of poems 'Gie Me A Word', in the reviews section of this website.