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First: Politically Correct by Veronica Ryder Second: The Imposters by Nick Hollin Third: Third Time Unlucky by Francis Hayes Click on the titles to read the three winning stories
Highly Commended: One Man’s Meat by Susan Howe
Judge’s Report for the fourth quarter’s competition 2010 from Iain Pattison Most people assume that when we talk about flash fiction the expression flash refers simply to the truncated length of the tale. It only takes a few minutes to race through the narrative - it’s over in a jiffy. But I’ve always taken a wider view. For me flash is a sudden and unexpected moment of brilliance, an instant of story-telling magic that blinds with its imagination, verve and technical excellence. So in judging this competition I was looking for stories that sparkled and blazed, twinkling and teasing, bursting with ideas and flair. And I searched for writers who were flash - in the nicest way possible - able to flaunt their originality and talent while they entertained and challenged. The standard here was high. All entries in the shortlist were competent and very readable. But sadly, most lacked that certain something that made them truly memorable, the extra oomph that would have made me think: Gosh, that’s amazing. I wish I’d written that. And a good number fell into the traps outlined by previous judges - of writers producing tableaux or vignettes - mere snapshots or descriptions - instead of fully rounded plots, or producing yarns that relied too heavily on grief and death to provide the dramatic punch. Some simply had endings or paths that were too predictable. Only a handful dazzled and made it through to my final clutch of possibles. (What is the term for a shortlist’s shortlist?) These were: Joe’s Bicycle Too Sweet Politically Correct One Man’s Meat The Imposters Third Time Unlucky All were strong stories, well crafted, with impact and a powerful sense of mood, but only four could make it to the podium, so I slept on it. Those entries that still burned in my memory the next morning won through. So my choice of victors was:
1st: Politically Correct An outstanding entry that shone brightly. I loved everything about this story - from its clever title and unusual structure, to its emotional intensity and economy of language. A very professional and accomplished narrative from a writer on top of their game. I was particularly impressed by the device of using a restaurant menu format to illustrate the various inevitable and sad episodes or “courses” of the MP’s wife’s brittle and empty life. The clincher was the wonderful ambiguity of the ending - a classic “did she jump or was she pushed?”. A deserving winner.
2nd: The Imposters Oozing truth and authenticity, this amusing yarn of the lack of empathy and understanding between the generations was clever, engaging and insightful. I don’t think anyone reading this couldn’t fail to connect with its sentiment or appreciate the accuracy of its observation of the eternal conflict between parents and teenagers.
3rd: Third Time Unlucky A fun, entertaining romp with a lovely sly twist that took me by surprise. Fluid and effortless reading. Great stuff.
Highly Commended: One Man’s Meat A teasing, wry, wonderfully droll and dark story beautifully merging humour and horror. It made me smile and shiver, but the title rather telegraphed the ending. ***
I’m pleased to be able to announce the short list. Watch this space for the winning entries when our judge, Iain Pattison, has finished his incredibly difficult task.
Short List A Bag for Life A Lick of Paint A Little Miracle Certain Couples Edward's Tree For the Moment Joe's bicycle Liquorice Allsorts Missed Connections Myrtle's Christmas Puddings Now's the Day One Man's Meat Politically Correct Pretty Damn Near A Love Story Red like my shoes Samson and Delilah Shades of Grey The Appraisal The Imposters The Photographer The Snowflake Gloves Third Time Unlucky Too Sweet Uncle George's Last Christmas Walking these Blues Watching
We had an incredibly high standard of entries for the final quarter of 2010; so much so that our primary readers have come back with over forty stories which they believe are worthy of going forward to the next stage of judging. Listed below, in alphabetical order, are the long-listed entries.
Good luck to all the authors concerned – here’s hoping your stories make the shortlist when it is compiled.
Long Listed Entries
A Bag for Life A Brief Introduction to Degustation: The Gustatory Senses of a Lover A Lick of Paint A Little Miracle A Strange Fish Swimming Inside of Me Angora Aquarium Baking Day Certain Couples Edward's Tree For the Moment Forbidden Fruit Fragility It Could Never Happen Here Joe's bicycle Lies Liquorice Allsorts Lost Lifetimes Mermaids Don't Do Email Missed Connections Myrtle's Christmas Puddings Now's the Day One Man's Meat Pink Daisies and Bermuda Shorts Politically Correct Pretty Damn near a Love Story Red like my shoes Samson and Delilah Shades of Grey Short Cold Summer Sinful Confession The Appraisal The Girl Missing from the Window The Grave Digger of York The Imposters The Last Christmas Tree on Earth The Photographer The Rabbit The Snowflake Gloves Third Time Unlucky Too Sweet Train Times Tuf Tracker Unbuttoned Uncle George's Last Christmas Walking these Blues Watchful and the Fiddler Watching |
