|
First: Everybody’s Tuppence Worth by A M Smith Second: Perfect Day by A F Packer Third: A Couple of Plastic Clothes Pegs by Melissa Lawrence Click on the titles to read the three winning stories
Highly Commended: Road Traffic Accident by Keith Smith
Judge’s Report for the fourth quarter’s competition 2011 from Guy Saville
As someone who struggles to write anything less than 100 000 words I’ve always admired those who can write short stories. Flash fiction is an even more notable skill, so I was impressed by all the entries I read. Various themes dominated but I was struck by how many of the stories were about people looking back on their lives with regret and a yearning for different outcomes. Sometimes this had a cynical edge to it (with the occasional cold bite of revenge) but mostly the regret was wrapped in wistfulness. In some of the stories redemption was offered, though acceptance of the past was the prevailing conclusion. All seemed genuinely heartfelt. I think sincerity is an important quality for all fiction. Whether this regret reflects current times as we reach the end of an age of easy abundance with a more unsure future ahead; reflects the writers entering the competition; or is merely coincidence is an interesting question. I’m sure the individual writers can answer that better than me! If I have some advice for the entrants, it would be to think beyond your own world. The majority of the stories were set present day in familiar surroundings, with relationships between men and women at their heart. It would have been interesting to see some stories set in more exotic locales and historical periods. I think even in a form as brief as flash fiction the reader likes to learn something about different times and places. But that is only a minor quibble as the level of entries and quality of writing was high… and made the judging trickier than I foresaw. Ideally I’d like to make several commendations, but since I’m only allowed one I also want to tip my judge’s hat at ‘Spoiled Dreams’ and ‘A Fond Farewell’.
1st: Everybody’s Tuppence Worth This story immediately stood out as different from everything else I read, not least because of its structure and method of delivering the story. It also manages the clever trick of being a very short piece of fiction that spans decades and tells an entire life story, from conception to incarceration.
Essentially a black comedy, the action unfolds as snippets of dialogue between two mismatched lovers and the woman’s parents, with the ‘They said’ acting like the chorus in a Greek tragedy bearing independent witness to events. It has a great energy and although the story may have been told before, I found its presentation here refreshingly original. Great last line too!
2nd: Perfect Day The two great strengths of this piece are its voice and atmosphere. I was transported to some out-of-season resort with the waves crashing and an elegant, enigmatic woman silhouetted against the sea. The voice is unique and quirky with pleasantly rhythmic turns of phrase such as ‘the usual, as usual’ and an attention to detail: the woman’s hair whipping about in the wind.
As with many of the other entries it features themes of regret and looking back on one’s life. In this case the resolution is life affirming.
3rd: A Couple of Plastic Clothes Pegs This begins within an arresting first line: ‘When I woke up, I knew I was dead’. After that we get another exercise in black comedy. The storytelling is subtle: the sexual deviance implied. What I liked best about it, however, was how the story played against convention. Normally paraphilic suicides are the preserve of rock stars or politicians; here it’s an ageing woman worried what the neighbours will think.
Highly Commended: Road Traffic Accident As much a character piece as it is a self-contained tale about a marriage, this story creates an ogre of a husband, arrogant and belittling, who get his comeuppance. The dénouement is satisfying and ends things on a rather ironic note of hope.
~~~
We now regularly receive several hundred entries each quarter, so those making the long and short lists should feel very proud.
Short Listed Entries — in alphabetical order
A Bitter Taste A Couple of Plastic Clothes Pegs A Fond Farewell Against Time Chivalry Cigarettes and Soot Everybody’s Tuppence Worth Finding the Words Give me some credit In Desperation Inside Story Kiss Me Quick Let Me In Perfect Day Road Traffic Accident Spoiled Dreams The Big Issue The Dress The Kingdom of Air What Goes Round
Long Listed Entries — in alphabetical order
A Bitter Taste A Call Drops In A Couple of Plastic Clothes Pegs A Fond Farewell A Mother's Love Against Time Atoms in the air Bread and Roses Bright and Lively Chivalry Cigarettes and Soot Epidemic Everybody’s Tuppence Worth Festive Spirit Finding the Words Give me some credit Going Solo Goodbye Gravy Train In Desperation Inside Story Just another Game of Marbles Kiss Me Quick Let Me In Perfect Day Resolve Revelation Riding the Carousel Road Traffic Accident Robbed Rows and Lines Rules of the Lido Spoiled Dreams Stuck Temptation The Beginning and the End The Big Issue The Boy in the Dunes The Cambridge Arms The Dress The Glass House The Kingdom of Air The Mother's Tale The Ride (by AFP) The River's Secret This Month, Perhaps Tipping Point Top Deck Tilly Walking Nan What Goes Round |
|
|
