This was the first meeting of 2024, following the traditional break in syllabus taken by members for the Christmas and New Year holiday period. Jeannie welcomed everyone back after the festive season, with particular mention for Morag who, although not seriously hurt, had been involved in a Road Traffic Accident. She was duly thanked for still managing to process recent competition results.
Adjudicator for the category of Flash Fiction, Vikki Gemmell, had praised the high standard of entries and had thoroughly enjoyed reading, and re- reading them as she deliberated on her decisions. Morag announced the award winners, in reverse order, as follows:
Commended - John Hughes for ‘Santa Goes Commando’
Highly Commended - Jackie Arthurs for ‘Code Red’ Highly Commended - Kate Gordon for ‘ The Inheritance’
Third Place - Jeannie MacKenzie for ‘Seven Times Seven’
Second Place - Sandra McGruther for ‘A Soldier’s Return’
First Place - Brian Harold for ‘Fisherman’s Friend’
Each of the above writers then read their own story and shared the individual feedback that was kindly provided for them by Vikki Gemmell.
John read ‘Santa Goes Commando’ the title of which Vikki loved. She thought this a well-written story, enjoying the opening line and
the humour contained throughout, as did the whole group! This entry particularly stuck in her mind with its great one liners.
Jackie read ‘Code Red’ which Vikki enjoyed very much. She particularly liked the various emotions in the story and the increase in tension leading up to the twist at the end. She spotted some signs this was coming but that didn’t detract from its impact. She thought the title was perfect.
In Kate’s absence, Morag read ‘The Inheritance’ for her. Vikki found this story to be very evocative, with its lovely memories and clever use of the senses. A genuine thread of care was obvious throughout. She thought it had a nice story arc and liked the ending with its real Aah moment
Jeannie was unable to read her third placed entry today as she hadn’t brought a copy of it with her.
Sandra M read ‘A Soldier’s Return’ which Vikki thought was one of two entries that really stood out for her. She was able to sense the potential threat from an early stage. She liked the use of flashback contained in the protagonist’s back story, which lent a certain weight to the guilt he carried. Use of the word count was great and Vikki really felt the bang of the gun when it finally came.
Brian read ‘Fisherman’s Friend’ to which Vikki found herself returning time and again, because of its unusual narrative structure. In telling this story backwards, she thought it gave the tragedy more punch. She loved the brevity of the writing style and thought the last line was both clever and poignant. She felt the story deserves a more beautiful title and entry to a bigger competition.
The remaining entrants were then invited to read their own unplaced submissions to the group.
Jeannie read her second effort entitled ‘Last Train To Largs’ and made particular apology to John Spence for her unwitting inclusion of a character called Chancer! Vikki enjoyed the humour in this story.
Lorna read out Sandra R’s story entitled ‘The Key’ based on a
true, personal experience about a hidden safe. Vikki appreciated the mystery and tension that was created and wondered why hell had been unleashed. Vikki thought this tale had lots of potential.
Irene read ‘A Day Like No Other’ the opening of which Vikki thought created a sense of intrigue. She felt it was a clever and original idea to use the episode of a TV show as the basis for this story, ending as it does with the ultimate surprise. Vikki saw so much potential here.
Hilary read out her admittedly short piece entitled ‘Still Sassy’ which, with lots of great humour, Vikki had wished were longer. She loved the ending but would have liked more of a chase before its final revelation. Vikki offered useful advice about errors for formal competitions, but also thought that Grandad deserves his own series.
Rob read his story ‘The Unexpected Gift’ behind which Vikki particularly liked the simplicity and the message. She found this very personal tale had a good sense of place and she also referenced Rob’s thoughtful
and caring qualities. She commented on this kindly portrayal of refugees, whose genuine gratitude seemed a powerful note on which to end.
Jackie read out another entry ‘Christmas Concession’ which had made Vikki smile and only finally clicked for her at the workshop scene. She was drawn in by the dialogue and felt this was a very modern tale to which many people could relate. She was impressed by the clever contrast between the workers outside, and those inside.
Homework: Members had brought a series of photographs today which were to be drawn, unseen, from a hat with the intention of writing about them. This activity was postponed after Jeannie proposed the meeting should close early, at 3.00pm, due to an unusually low ambient temperature in the room. There was unanimous agreement for this proposal!
Next Meeting: Tuesday 16th January, 2023, within Bargarran Community Centre, at which John Spence will be holding a Dialogue Workshop.
* Minutes taken by Brian Harold
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