The
New Zealand Society of Authors – Auckland Branch
GRAEME
LAY
SHORT
STORY COMPETITION
2012
Graeme Lay (right) said there were 44 entries for the
competition in this its second year. It
was a relatively straightforward exercise to draw up a short list of stories
because the best ones stood out immediately. I chose ten out of the 44. Then
the hard part started.
I read and re-read the ten stories many times until
I chose a top six. These were selected because like all worthwhile fiction the
characters and their circumstances lingered in my mind for some time after I
read them. All six were eminently publishable and there was very little between
them.
Judges in a court of law, after hearing all the
evidence, often reserve their judgement. This gives them time to privately
contemplate all the evidence before they deliver their verdict. Making literary
judgements involves a not dissimilar process. I reserved my judgement for some
time. Then, after many more readings and reflections, I reached a verdict.
Several verdicts, in fact.
First
Place
The
Gift
written by Fiona Sussman
This story manages in less than 1500 words to
present the complexities of the life and death of its deceased central
character. Skilfully structured, many-layered, and with a deeply satisfying
ending, The Gift is a worthy winner of this year’s competition. Fiona read her
story to a packed auditorium and the enthusiastic applause that followed was
vindication the delighted audience wholeheartedly agreed with Graeme Lay’s
selection.
Second
Place
Q
and the Power of P written by Bernard Brown
The most ambitious of the finalists, this story of
political oppression and the downfall of a dictatorial regime has many deft
touches, including a great concluding line. It is ‘Smith’s Dream’ with humour.
Third
Place
Talking
to Howard written by
Karen Goa
Simultaneously funny and very sad, this story gives
insights into the teenage mind and the ramifications of family loss. The
revelation of the identity of the mysterious ‘Howard’ makes a wonderful ending.
Highly
Commended
Shy
written
by Ross Doughty
A story set during a dive trip on Australia’s Great
Barrier Reef. A highly dramatic plot, with a satisfying twist at the end.
Spanish
Pilgrims written by Rebecca
Hayter
An evocative story set in rural Spain and based on a
spiritual journey. Both the narrator and the central character gain the
reader’s sympathy.
The
Boys at the Beach written by Judith White
moving story involving the generation gap,
deviant behaviour and some teenage lives disturbed by a sudden death.
No comments:
Post a Comment