Write Now With James Polkinghorn

Today's Write Now interview features James Polkinghorn, estate attorney and author of LIQUID SHADES OF BLUE.

Write Now With James Polkinghorn
Photo courtesy of 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.