WritersReign "One Moment in Time"
Competition 2012

Competition Winners

Congratulations to our three main prize winners, and a big 'well done' for four 'Highly Commended' stories.

The overall standard of entries was very good once again and choosing three winners was not easy. And because of this I have increased the Highly Commended awards from three to four.

Main Prizes were: 1st - £100.00, 2nd - £50.00 and 3rd - £25.00.

'Highly Commended' status has been awarded to four stories (an increase from three as was advertised due to the high quality of entries) and will receive £10 each.

Our judge, Frances Clamp, is the author of several books, both fiction and non-fiction. She has also written many short stories which have been published in national magazines. Her output includes: for children, a trilogy and a fantasy adventure book, and in the non-fiction sphere, books on local history.

Here are the links to the Prize Winners stories: 

• 1st Prize - Hampered by Iain Pattison
  
  Judges comment: This was well written with a build up of tension. The final ending was unexpected. The reader cared about the characters. Congratulations!
• 2nd Prize - The Reversed Decision by Elizabeth Ducie
  
  Judges comment: Congratulations! A very well thought out plot and an interesting idea. The ending was very satisfactory. I'm not sure about the title as it tells the reader right from the start what will happen.
• 3rd Prize - The Summerhouse by Jill Haynes
  
  Judges comment: Congratulations! This has some excellent descriptive passages and the plot leads on to a very satisfying conclusion.
• Highly Commended - What You Think by Lorraine Cooke
  
  Judges comment: This is an interesting idea well handled by the author. The conclusion was highly satisfactory. I wonder if a woman would actually spit at a young person pushing a pram. A scornful look perhaps, but there would also be the thought that the girl might be a sister or a baby sitter.
• Highly Commended - One Step at a Time by Davis Wass
  
  Judges comment: This is an interesting idea and the characters are well drawn. The ending is upbeat and encouraging. Also the title is very suitable.
• Highly Commended - Mighty Big Job by David C Ellis
  
  Judges comment: Humour is a difficult field but you have an obvious talent for this kind of writing. The story line moved along easily with a very satisfying conclusion.
• Highly Commended - Love is a Many Splendored Thing by Patsy Miranda
  
  Judges comment: The characters are clearly drawn and the story line has been well thought out. I liked the way you finished on a very positive note, looking to a happier future.

A total of twelve stories were short listed for the competition and the prize winners were selected from those. The stories that didn't quite make it were the following:

"The Best is Yet to Be" by Joan Sonnenburg

Judges comment: This has some excellent descriptive passages. At time the move between past and present tense is a little confusing. It is an interesting story and it leads on to a very satisfying conclusion.

"Still Life" by Gerald Vinestock

This is an unusual and interesting idea. It is well written and has a very satisfying conclusion. It reached the short list and came very close to being Highly Commended.

"Truth or Dare" by Denise Spencer

This is a well written story that leads on well to the final conclusion.

"Spies Like Us" by Andrew Campbell-Kearsey

This is well written and an interesting idea. I wonder if the woman should be a little younger if she is suitable for recruitment to MI5 and why did she come to their notice? It is hard to believe that she was picked entirely by chance without having any suitable background.

"Emily" by Clair McLeary

This is an interesting idea although I think we need to know if this lonely, doll obsessed child rescued her companion first. Your writing style is clear and pleasing to read.

My thanks to everyone who entered their stories into the competition. If your story didn't manage to win a prize this time don't be discouraged. Every competition is different, the judges are different and different judges are looking for different things as they will usually say in the terms and conditions. Writing for competitions is one of the best ways to hone your story telling skills so do keep writing.

Mervyn Love, Editor

© WritersReign.co.uk - WR Competition Winners 2012