Results of Morgen’s 100-word competition: June 2016

Hello everyone. This month we had 22 entries from 14 authors this month. One was disqualified for only being 99 words. The story contained a dash so that could have been counted as a word but not on my computer, sorry. Fortunately the author had sent two other entries so still had a chance to be placed.

At the end of the top two, I went “ooh”, the winner slightly more so than the second placed. At the end of two others I went “eh?” and re-read them. I then went “eh?” again for one, the other made more sense but wasn’t placed for that reason.

Another lost points for having the word ‘have’ missing which would have been picked up on a re-read.

Do remember that I picked the stories I did because they appealed to me. You may have picked these in a different order, you may have picked other stories. When I have read a story, I score it out of ten. Depending upon my reaction to it depends upon the score. A ‘wow’ – providing there are no errors – will score a ten, an ‘oh that was good’ will score a nine or nine and a half, and so on… you get the idea and the reason for the unusual results.  NB. If your story has been published, you’re still welcome to use it elsewhere providing they accept previously published stories. I’m not greedy in demanding exclusivity. 🙂

So here, for your reading pleasure, they are…

First place (winning three of my online creative writing courses):

saulbee with ‘Close’

It’s only right that we stay close. When you are as intimate as we are nothing else is possible. Clinging on to our relationship, despite the pain and suffering. I know some would say it’s unhealthy but, without each other there is nothing.

We need to be close.

I understand, it is hard to be tempted and sometimes we need help. I am here to help, I arranged everything while you were sleeping. With love comes pain, it will pass and you will stop crying. Just let me close the gap with the last brick.

You will be kept close.

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Second place (winning two of my online creative writing courses):

Cathy White with ‘The World Breathing’

I’ve never closed a window. I like to feel cool air touching me as I sleep, as if I can feel the world breathing, and it comforts me to know the universe is still alive.

All my life, I’ve left windows open; never closed, whatever the weather brought and, as a child, I always hoped that if I left the window open when it snowed, a snowman would form in the night and be there to wish me good morning when I opened my eyes. This never happened but yet I still keep my window open anyway, just in case.

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Joint third place (winning one of my online creative writing courses):

Diana Keschner Henning with ‘Closing the door on Mom’

While helping mom to clear out gran’s apartment I stumbled upon it, lying at the back of the cupboard. It was, I am sure, a Fabergé egg. The way it lay auspiciously in my hand, it’s weight, it’s gracious hues, told me that it was an original. I was astounded. Gran had always lived humbly in a small town. I quickly did a google search and found that 43 eggs have been preserved. A further search told me that a Fabergé egg was estimated to be worth £20 million. I heard my mom approaching and quickly closed the cupboard door.

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Joint third place (winning one of my online creative writing courses):

Andy Morfett with ‘On the Edge’

Not for the first time I wondered how I got myself in to these situations. I sat as still as I could, willing my heart to beat normally as the blade came closer to my face. Light glinted on the sharp edge and I shuddered.

My eyes widened in fear and I wished myself away from what was coming. Closer, closer, closer… And then the blade touched my skin.

I flinched. Then I felt the sharp blade scrape my chin and I heard the familiar rasping sound of bristles being removed.

It was my first-ever shave with a cut-throat razor.

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Joint third place (winning one of my online creative writing courses):

Paul Isaac with ‘Mummy’s Knight’

My dad tells me, he’s a valiant knight and that when I hear Mummy screaming, I must shut my eyes whilst he fights off The Monster.

My dad tells me I must keep my eyes shut, because if it catches me peeking, The Monster will come for me as well.

My dad is a liar. I did open my eyes once, and I saw The Monster. It looked a lot like my dad. When I’m a little older, I’ll be the knight that Mummy was promised. Until then, as I grow into my braver armour, I’ll keep my eyes closed.

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Highly commended (winning my Entering Writing Competitions course):

• Camilla I.M. Garuai with ‘The Ugly’
• Lestie Mulholland with ‘Treasure and Memories’
• M W Brown with ‘Do not Disturb’
• N.T. Franklin with ‘She was Beautiful’
• Rebecca Schwenk with ‘Letting Go’

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Congratulations everyone!