Yay – I won the Glen Miles Short Story prize!
What could be better??
Being able to read my winning story for free, of course!
Here’s the opening paragraph of “Champions”, the story that just won me my seventh national writing competition (squee!)…
“Can you believe it? Twenty-four years ago today, our sons were playing soccer on a damp field in Manly Vale. I remember because of the date. I remember the odd raindrop thwacking onto my windscreen as I drove down from Allambie Heights, in that old Holden Gemini of mine. When I saw you on the sidelines, you looked over the sky and said it would pass. I laughed and called you too optimistic for your own good. The clouds bulged dark, thick with it. The air had that dampness that always makes me sneeze. But you, in your faded ripped jeans and shoulder-padded jacket, said a bit of rain never hurt anyone…”
Want to discover how watching their two boys play soccer impacts these two mothers for a lifetime? Well you can! But first, here are the judge’s comments on my story…
“The author, uniquely, uses a Gonzo-esque stream of consciousness as a literary device, reminding me very much of the works of Hunter S. Thompson. Without a linear narrative, unsure if this is a letter, a conversation, a phone call or just the jumbled thoughts of a broken heart, the reader is compelled to simply hang in there and question. Beautifully crafted and well told, this important story deserves to be read many times… It’s an excellent story which I read many times, and which never failed to move me.”
– Judges’ comments
Now, enjoy the rest of my awesome story, for free, here:
– first place, Glen Miles Short Story Prize 2013.
– epublished, Bass Coast Post 2013
– published in 2013 Waterline Writing print anthology
Oh wow honey – congratulations!!! So well deserved!
Thank you Kristin! I hope you enjoy the read!!
Congratulations Zena! I read the story – it’s superb. You really got me.
Thanks Fi – I’m so glad I got you! It still gets me every time I read it too!
Superb Zena. Beautifully written and compelling atmosphere from beginning to end.
Thanks so much, Rondel! And thank you also for taking the time to read my story 🙂
Zena, beautifully written. I was enthralled from start to finish. I found it emotional and raw, could really relate to the thoughts and emotions in the story,I even shed a tear. would love to read more of your award winning work. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks for reading it, Sharna, and for taking the time to comment! We’re all such busy people so I really appreciate it when readers take the time to both read my stories AND send me a note about it. Yay for you 🙂