Write Now With James Polkinghorn

Who Are You?

Jim Polkinghorn. I’m a partner in a national labor and employment law firm. I operate out of the Ft. Lauderdale office but am semi-retired and living in Key West.

What Do You Write?

I’ve written one book, a work of fiction falling in the mystery/suspense category. I’ve been writing in one context or another my entire life, having spent many years writing briefs and legal memoranda during my career. I took a fiction-writing class in college and toyed with the idea of becoming a writer but opted to go to law school instead. It was always in the back of my mind to scratch the fiction-writing itch and the pandemic provided the opportunity to do so. I love the freedom of expressing myself through fiction. I have not encountered a theme I avoided, although there probably are some.

Where Do You Write?

I write anywhere it’s quiet. I started writing LIQUID SHADES OF BLUE in longhand, using legal pads and blue Papermate pens. I found that I developed a respect for the number of words I was using to describe something by going through the labor of physically writing out the words. As I gained discipline in this area I found that I could transfer the process to a keyboard. I’m writing my second novel on my laptop.

When Do You Write?

I tend to write during the middle of the day, limiting myself generally to no more than four hours at a time. I find that I get a little stale after that. Beyond that, I don’t have any specific goals in any given session.

Why Do You Write?

I wrote LIQUID SHADES OF BLUE because I believed I might have the ability to write a coherent story that others would find interesting. I was determined to find out before too much more time passed. Beyond that, I simply enjoy the creative process and the effect it seems to have on me. There is a meditative aspect to it.

How Do You Overcome Writer’s Block?

Fortunately, I’ve never experienced writer’s block, possibly because of my legal training where a deadline always loomed, whether imposed by a court or a client. When I sit down to write, the words come.

Bonus: What Do You Enjoy Doing When Not Writing?

I enjoy water sports of all kinds and am an avid reader. I’m also a fitness enthusiast, spending a lot of time in the gym.

My thanks to James Polkinghorn for today’s interview.