prizes
'Half-mown Lawn' wins Yeovil Prize
15/09/10 16:36
'Half-mown Lawn,' a longer, more developed version of a flash fiction I wrote for #fridayflash has won the 2010 Yeovil Literary Prize Short Fiction Category. I developed the extended story as part of my Open University Creative Writing Diploma.
Over on the website they have published the judge's comments:
Beautifully crafted, never sentimental or maudlin, we follow Annie in the first few days after her husband’s sudden death as she adjusts to life without him.
There is little dialogue but what there is adds to the restraint of the story. The author uses spare, crisp language to explore Annie’s stunned reaction as she goes shopping with her amended list and her ‘bags for life’.
The deft description and attention to the smallest of details, such as the Ikea pencil she finds in her pocket, define the character and her life. The deeply satisfying ending stayed with me for a long time after reading. An everyday subject lifted out of the mundane by the sheer quality of the writing.
Over on the website they have published the judge's comments:
Beautifully crafted, never sentimental or maudlin, we follow Annie in the first few days after her husband’s sudden death as she adjusts to life without him.
There is little dialogue but what there is adds to the restraint of the story. The author uses spare, crisp language to explore Annie’s stunned reaction as she goes shopping with her amended list and her ‘bags for life’.
The deft description and attention to the smallest of details, such as the Ikea pencil she finds in her pocket, define the character and her life. The deeply satisfying ending stayed with me for a long time after reading. An everyday subject lifted out of the mundane by the sheer quality of the writing.
Commended story in 2010 Winchester Short Story Competition
28/07/10 10:51
I received news today that my short story ‘Where’s Tracy?’ was commended in the Winchester Writers’ Conference 2010 Short Story Competition.
The judges praised the story for its intriguing opening and control of the action that built to wholly satisfying ending.
The judges praised the story for its intriguing opening and control of the action that built to wholly satisfying ending.
Flash 500 Shortlist
13/04/10 12:51
While not a winning entry, my flash fiction ‘Half-mown Lawn’ made it as far as the shortlist for this month’s Flash500 competition. Details here. Congratulations to the winners.
2nd Prize in 2009 Winchester Short Story Competition
31/08/09 14:46
‘Rip Rap,’ my entry to the 2009 Winchester Writers’ Conference Short Story Competition, was recently awarded second prize.
The judges said Rip Rap ‘haunts the reader and builds to a powerful effect.....This charming yet serious piece is a refreshing story written by a refreshingly skilled writer.’
The judges said Rip Rap ‘haunts the reader and builds to a powerful effect.....This charming yet serious piece is a refreshing story written by a refreshingly skilled writer.’