I am very pleased to announce the results as follows:
1st Johanna Moyle
2nd Bud Craig
3rd Morton Gray
The following writers were shortlisted and will be receiving a little gift
from me:
Melissa Lawrence
Kate Harmond
John Ravenscroft
Brian Lux
Frances Nash
Elaine Miles
L. Grant
Here are the top three stories:
Gemini by Johanna Moyle
Long-married, a quiet, dependable man, not expected to stray.
Thirty miles.
Key in the door, hugs, kisses, interesting discussions. Precious hours.
Thirty miles.
Key in the door, family visiting. Kisses still warm on his lips, words
whispering in his head.
Thirty miles.
Key in the door, sparkling eyes, waiting arms, happy and relaxed. Clock
ticking.
Thirty miles.
Key in the door, quiet meal, usual routine, book in hand, thoughts far away.
Thirty miles.
Key in the door, door to his heart, coffee and home made cake, laughter
and tears.
Thirty miles.
Key in the door, nothing to say, sharing a roof, longing for the next meeting.
Thirty miles.
Door open, picnic ready, anticipation, a whole day out: today.
Thirty miles.
Key in the door, home again, hopes and dreams, wishing for another life,
which will never happen, the guilt of leaving his family would break him.
Downhill All The Way by Bud Craig
As soon as it happened I had to get away. Putting my outdoor gear on, I
walked to the top of Swanny Fell. I admired the way the hills melted into one
another like lovers, but failed to find the hoped for sense of perspective. Good
exercise though. Maybe I’d write a book about it. Fitness For Cuckolds.
The way back was downhill all the way. Through flowering meadows I
pictured Carol and Rob on my living room floor. At it. I heard her
otherworldly noises, saw the eczema scar on his arse, wondered at the
Girl of My Best Friend cosiness of it all. Would I ever listen to Elvis again?
What now, I asked myself, as I heard footsteps behind me. A voice called
my name. I turned to see two men showing their ID badges.
“You found the bodies then,” I said.
You Do Not Own Me by Morton Gray
The key to the door is not the key to my heart. You may own the manor,
but that’s the only part. My father has sold me like a prize calf, he never
owned me even at the start. This building my dowry, your influence father’s
prize. I shall strive to avoid you all through my life.
Nooks, crannies and secret passages galore, will mean I can outwit you
and hide from furore. Granite fireplaces may blaze, huge flower arrangements
glow, the contents of my soul you will never know.
I didn’t choose you, but know what you require. That coveted heir may
arrive sooner than you desire. The love of my life lies dead in the field,
but his living legacy is yet to be revealed. I will protect his offspring
with every drop of my blood and know that this secret will be my only love.
Many thanks to everyone who entered this competition. The closing date for the
next Flash Fiction Competition is 31st May. Theme: Shoes.
Tags:
The details for the next Flash Fiction Competition are as follows:
Closing date: 31st May 2012
Theme: SHOES
Judge: Sue Johnson
Prizes: £50, £25, £15
Entry fee: £3.00 or 2 for £5.00
Word limit: 150 words not including title
Cheques payable to S. Johnson
Please send to: 10 Woodward Close, Pershore, Worcs WR10 1LP
The work – and the fun – goes on with promoting the book. I am
busy arranging my workshop for The Red Cross on 10th March and planning
for the Chipping Camden Literary Festival in May and Worcester Festival
in June.
Last week I had a successful book-signing in Waterstones, Cheltenham
and was interviewed by Cotswold TV. More news later when this goes
‘live.’
‘Fable’s Fortune’ is available from most bookshops,
from Amazon and from the publisher’s website www.indigodreamsbookshop.com
Check out my author page and read an extract from the book.
I am also happy to visit local groups like W.I., Readers’ Groups and Writers’ Circles.
Tags:
Imbolc Moon
this morning your light
was search-light white
reflecting snow and ice
tonight you rose at nine
surrounded by a pool of gold
magical and mysterious
like a fairytale princess
about to escape and dance all night
glimpsed through the dark branches of the plane
your golden shimmer faded
as you escaped into the night sky
with your entourage of stars
valentine
the colour of love is as bright
as a field of daffodils
it sounds as gentle as
waves lapping on warm sand
it smells like fresh coffee
on an ice cold morning
and tastes as seductive as
strawberries on a bed of whipped cream
lie with me under the stars
on a blanket of soft wool
listen to the earth’s music
with all your heart and senses
The Red Cross is one of my charities this year.
For details of their Fiction 55 Competition (a 55 word story) please
contact 01905 450400 or email infoHSW@redcross.org.uk.
The closing date is Monday 13th February 2012.
Please also contact them is you are interested in attending my
‘First and second steps in fiction writing’ course on Saturday 10th March 2012.
The event will be held at their Head Office on the outskirts of Worcester and the
cost for the day (including lunch) is £50.
The contact address is:
British Red Cross
Bradbury Court
Berkeley Business Park
Wainwright Road
Worcester
WR4 9GY
Tags:
This competition is now closed.
I have had 150 entries and I hope to announce the results
by the end of February.
‘Fable’s Fortune’ by Sue Johnson is published by Indigo Dreams Publishing.
www.indigodreamsbookshop.com
Tags:
Think of a childhood memory that has a ‘flashbulb’ feel to it -
a time when you felt frightened, frustrated or really excited
about something – e.g. getting lost, being unfairly punished
for something you didn’t do – or a day that had a magical
quality because something nice or unexpected happened.
Free-write for five minutes. Keep your pen moving. Don’t censor
what you write.
Go through what you’ve written and underline any words or phrases
that interest or surprise you.
See if you can create the first draft of a poem from these fragments.
DAISY CHAIN STORY
Find five photographs of people. (Old magazines are good for this).
Write a short biography for each character (approx. 100 words).
What secret does each one have?
Think of a character who could link the five people – e.g. a cleaning lady,
vicar, taxi driver. Write a short piece about him/her.
Begin with the link character and character number one. What is the
incident that starts the story? For example, the cleaning lady could be
given something by character number one that she doesn’t want.
What happens next? Join the next person into the story. What if the
cleaning lady gives the item to character number two?
Carry on in this way, joining the characters together until you come back
to the start.
