BY WOMEN.

As I write this, I am helping my son make a mask from cardboard cartons. Work & life have always overlapped for me, now more so than ever as I merge looking after a 4 year old with book keeping for both The Linen Press & my family’s farming business.

I grew up on the farm but farming as a career was quickly dismissed from my agenda as I turned vegetarian. My love of books and numbers led instead to my taking a degree in Mathematics. After a couple of unbearable years in an accountant’s office, the chance to buy a health food shop came up.  Desperate for escape, I took it and spent the next 15 years submerged. Running the business was very fulfilling and I enjoyed being a valued part of a local community. However it left no room for anything else. The time came to move on.

My love of writing had been quashed by harsh remarks from a teacher to a sensitive teenager. Luckily I attended a class run by Lynn who helped me regain my confidence and rekindle my enthusiasm. She has been a source of support ever since. With a grant from the Scottish Arts Council we worked together to publish an anthology of the writing produced from Lynn’s classes. I realised how much I enjoyed working as part of a team as I took responsibility for the finances and organised the launch party.

Becoming a parent has obviously become my priority, but as my son grows up, I am taking on work that I can fit around his schedule. After a restructuring of our farm, I have taken over the financial aspects and am learning about crop yields. As Linen Press evolves I keep an eye on the finances without restricting the creative process. I am not in writing mode these days although ideas still come in the middle of the night so maybe one day…

Fiona by Lynn

As a writing facilitator, listening to writing that is often emotionally charged, I have to maintain clear professional boundaries. Fiona is someone who discretely and sensitively climbed over them and, with my encouragement, settled herself next to me. She is calm, wise, loyal and competent – a perfect foil to my impulsiveness. I value her hugely as a colleague and as a friend. She is also a talented writer and has produced some very beautiful, dream-like prose and poetry.