At last I can announce – the WINNER!

Or rather, I can’t. The BEST MEGASAGA was undoubtedly

BLOW

by Mr GL, who only wants to be known as Grigor. Those of you who read my blogs regularly will recognise the name, as Grigor frequently comments on my posts. Let me assure you, the judges’ decision is based entirely on the quality of the writing, rather than the loyalty (?) of one of my readers. Gregor’s request is that I publish no details about him. I am allowed to say he is 40, lives in South Africa, and has a great sense of humour.

Judges’s comments:

“I had to read the story several times to appreciate its quality. The reader is successfully diverted from the narrative. There is, in fact, no narrative. Simply, the title and the ending, with a filling in-between. Brilliant. Almost an inversion of the form.” JD

“The writer’s descriptions alone are worth the prize. He succeeds in delineating characters so clearly, in just a few words….” PL

“I hated it. I feel as if I was tricked. Definite winner.” JE

So here it is. See what you think:

Blow 

The smell of humans bewilders me. For so long all I had was the hospital smells, disinfectant, misery and fart. 

Emerging from my chrysalis of pain, nothing’s changed. Thank goodness the operation is done! Now home! The tube train departs seconds before I arrive at the platform. This train’s destination is wrong, necessitating an irksome change. The passengers happily slot into their stereotypes, from the hoop-earringed fashionista with torn knees to the primary school headteacher in her sensible coat reading Adrian Mole. 

Nearly there. Perhaps the man with his shaking hands pouring with sweat opposite me is about to

CONGRATULATIONS Grigor! Your £100 is winging its way to you.

A message from me: To be honest there were very few entries, probably as a result of the £5.00 entity fee and I did not recoup my costs. Not important! Just saying. Therefore the next one, the fee will be much lower. My objective is to encourage new young writers, to help as much as I can not just with developing the craft, but with getting a good following.

ALL entrants have been emailed with detailed responses and critiques. Please do not be offended if you think me or the judge harsh, but it is important to stick to the rules of the format. While some errors of spelling, grammar and punctuation are inevitable, do check and edit your work before submission next time. But don’t let that put you off submitting! If there’s real quality in your vision, I’m happy to help edit your work. 

LOVE to you all!