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| “I’m here for the winners of the Faerypin Contest, please.” |
Once all the fun excitement of promoting a flash fiction contest has ended, I have to review the 50-100 entries and actually pick a winner. (Fairy Ring and Once Upon a Time Writing)
Every contest I run, I create one ineligible entry so I remind myself how jaw-droppingly difficult it is to create a story of depth and delight in 300 words.
If you open your favorite book, 300 words barely gives them enough time to introduce the protagonist. The author of flash fiction has not a word to waste – they must paint setting, character, detail in a broad brush. They cut to the bone; all the pretty adverbs and adjectives must go!
The Faerytaleish Pinterest Contest blended art and writing. Writers use images to inspire them, collecting images that embody their work. This time, I asked entrants to find a new image on the Faerytaleish Pinterest Page that struck them and then tell that story.
The results were kaleidoscopic. Please take the time to read all the entries and comment. The supportive comments in this contest were particularly delightful.
I am passing on the Flash Fiction crown to my friends Ruth Long and Lillie McFerrin. They are running a blog hop themed on Forbidden Love. I encourage those now addicted to writing flash to go enter.
As for me, I am taking a break from the madcap world of flash fiction contest. It’s been a lovely run. I have met more talent from this than I could have ever expected. Thank you all and keep writing.
Without further ado, the winners of the Faerytaleish Pinterest Contest:
La Belle Tristesse by My Vitreous Humour
The writing was savagely beautiful and troubling and vividly painted the chosen painting in words. This entry wins a copy of The Fairy Ring audiobook for the music of the words.
Most Transformative
I initially dismissed this image for my own shortlist as saccharine and one-dimensional. Dawn took the image and, through her story, transformed it into a touching and aching fable about love and loss. Dawn wins a paperback copy of Awake by Jessica Grey (thanks Jess!)
Honorable Mentions
Meg McNulty for “The Lady in the Lamp”
This little flash was chock full of well-considered details and a quick stick in the heart at the end.
Cameron Lawton for “Untitled”
Cameron created a perfect summer romance in 300 words.
Lisa Shambrook for “The Coat”
Such an innocent little girl…isn’t she? A well-crafted shocker from Lisa Shambrook.
Congratulations to all who entered and thank you! You have all created something new that did not exist before; I consider that a win as well.
Yay!!!! Congratulations to the winners and the Honorable Mentions!!!! Yay!!!
I am humbled to receive an honourable mention and delighted that you picked all my favourite as winners 🙂 Congratulations to them! I loved the variety and quality in this contest – from creeping horror, to lyrical beauty and whimsical humour. Fantastic!
Now on to the star-crossed lovers where Lady Anna may herself participate – YEAY!
Fifty-nine entries on one week is huge and I am humbled to be mentioned amongst such great talent…I had my eye on several entries as my favourites and didn’t think I could compete…so thank you! Like Meg said, the diversity was awesome in the true sense of the word!
Congrats to all the winners….you must have stayed up all night to choose! Great job!!!!! I loved all of these so I must have good taste. 😉
Congrats to the fantastic winners!! Well deserved for such amazing work 🙂
And, thank you again Anna for such a spectacular contest!
Congrats to everyone! So many wonderful stories 🙂
OH MY GOD I WON I WON I WON!!!! So many amazing tales were entered, I am slightly shocked that mine caught the judges’ eyes. Thank you SO MUCH for running the contest, inspiring so many lovely stories, and for just generally being lovely. This was so much fun.
Congratulations to the winners and honorable mentions! I loved reading the stories in this competition. 🙂
Soooo wish I hadn’t missed this!!
new follower here, I love your blog 🙂
Andrea