Meet our 100 words competition winners

ONE HUNDRED WORDS...

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 100 WORDS WINNERS

Our 100 words competition has inspired many in our community to explore their creative side. Since commencing the competition two years ago, we’ve received hundreds of entries, capturing the interest of not only local readers, but people from outside the area. We have also received numerous entries from school children, with teachers implementing it as part of a creative writing exercise for students.

This year’s judging panel found selecting three winners no easy task. TVO would like to congratulate Stephanie Bugeja, Roy Lever and Robyn Sleet, all residents of Lane Cove. Here our three winners explain the appeal of the competition. We have also re-published their winning entries.

Our 100 words competition winners for 2018 were recently presented with a book voucher and certificate. From left to right is Roy Lever, Stephanie Bugeja and Robyn Sleet.

Roy Lever

I have always had a love and a fascination for the English language, gained mainly through an appreciation of good literature, but have only recently started to write myself as a hobby. As a regular reader of The Village Observer, I always enjoyed reading the 100 words entries. While my novel plods along at glacial speed, I thought I would test the waters with a submission of my own. To tell a story in 100 words is indeed challenging. A beginning, middle and end are still expected and so each sentence must convey a precise meaning to inspire the reader’s imagination.

The dams had dried up long ago and the cattle sold off. Parched earth, cloudless skies and an unforgiving burning sun. The meeting with the bank was next week, but he knew how that would end. He remembered how things used to be, but that was then, long ago. The young pup at his feet stirred then looked at him, head cocked, and his bright shiny eyes full of expectation. Not for him despair, not for him a feeling of hopelessness. In his world, there was only optimism and thoughts of tomorrow. “Come on boy, we’ve got work to do.”

Stephanie Bugeja

I have recently relocated to Lane Cove. I started reading The Village Observer to become more familiar with my new locality when I discovered the 100 words competition. I have a passion for creativity, theatre and books. I enjoy writing in my spare time, but I have kept these writings to myself - until now! It is a beautiful concept to work with language and challenge yourself to deliver your story by picking the best few words. The challenge is also a mental one as it is about seeing a whole story in your head and picking up its most significant moment.

Lana looked at the other woman on the bus, with the screaming, squirming child. She shook her head sadly, thinking about mothers giving birth to babies they can’t handle; while she was struggling with IVF, putting strain on her body, spirit and marriage. Lana sighed. The other woman caught a glimpse of Lana; similar age but definitely more sophisticated looking. She smiled tiredly at her autistic son. She loved him dearly. Yet, on days like these, she looked at people like Lana and was jealous at how in control of their life they seemed to be. The other woman sighed.

Robyn Sleet

I have always loved reading and writing letters and emails to overseas friends. As a child growing up in the country, I enjoyed exchanging letters and books regularly with pen friends. Entering the 100 words competition is my first attempt at writing a story. I was interested in reading the entries in TVO and was inspired to contribute too. It was a challenge, but also exciting, to write a story in 100 words. I tried to catch and hold the reader's attention and interest with descriptive sentences.

The second hand on the wall clock moved; oh, so slowly. Vivian looked again, only three minutes had passed! Time is standing still, she thought. Hands clasped, pale lips moving in silent prayer. "Please let Richard live. I promise. I will let him go." The girl at the desk, immersed in her computer screen, unaware of Vivian's anxious glances. The door opened. Vivian froze. The tall surgeon spoke kindly. "Your husband will be fine. Come in now." Richard's wife stood up, composed. "Thank you, Doctor." She followed through the door. Vivian left, tears falling, a silent 'goodbye' to her lover.