Jon Elkon

Author: Jon Elkon

  • WINNERS ANNOUNCED

    WINNERS ANNOUNCED

    We have pleasure in awarding the PRIZES for the JUNIOR MEGASAGA competition as follows:

    It was HARD! So many of the stories submitted were worthy of a prize, and to give out so few was just unfair. But in every competition there have to be winners! But be sure of this: there are no losers. Everyone who submitted is a winner in life.

    FIRST PRIZE OF £50

    Goes to

    KAZAU by LINDA NKOMO  

    Cast away from the gates of heaven, an angel grounded in the pit of hell. With range and selfishness, the angel made himself sovereign of hell and with him the first wife of Adam, empress of hell, Lilith, together they ruled the underworld. Whispering hatred, lust, greed to the ears of those who walked upon earth. Kazau, son of the great serpent bound to enter the earth and wreak havoc to the streets of Johannesburg. Till the stars flourished and the sun rose he did as he was destined …until a night where he fell in love with a mortal.

    THE JUDGES SAID: Powerful stuff.  Someone who is excited by words and has probably been to church quite a lot or had the Bible read to her.  It is the last couple of lines that really stands out:  we are suddenly out of the whirlwind and in Johannesburg and then the wonderful and the stars flourished and back to earth with the final words.  It is a bit like a piece of music

    SECOND PRIZE OF £25

    Goes to

    NTOMBIVUYO ZOE MHLONGO – I WEPT

    “You are useless,” he said In a calm and collected way as if what he was saying wasn’t about to pierce into someone’s heart. He stood, maintaining eye contact. You could see that he had no sense of remorse. As soon as I left the room, I broke, finally letting my tears escape. His words had cut deeper than his hands ever could. I’m not saying it is his fault, he just has no idea the damage he causes. He utters without thought and breaks souls without noticing.A father had broken a daughter, I wept. Like always

    THE JUDGES SAID: This astonishing story was left out of the first shortlist by mistake. It is a story that comes from the heart, and is deeply shocking. The last words are so well crafted: ‘Like always.’ A perfect example of bathos, leaving the reader wanting more.

    ]

    THIRD PRIZE OF £20

    Goes to

    WHY THERE ARE ROCKS by Ganie Sindana

    Once upon a time there was a place called Arekopaneng deep inside the jungle where Giants made from rocks lived, they lived 100million years without being disturbed .

    One day a giant decided to go explore the woods just to look then come back then a human appeared, he jumped “I think we got one!!”the giant ran as quick as it could! And told the chief what had happened.

    The giants were ordered to go hide, sleep and never show themselves again some shattered Into pieces and that’s why there are rocks, mountains and hills on earth!

    THE JUDGES SAID: Loved this one.  A real story.   Full of invention and the lack of punctuation which does, of course, need to be corrected, makes it read most appropriately as though the teller is breathless with excitement. (I hope it is his or her own invention but would like the telling even if it isn’t.)

    FOURTH PRIZE OF £15

    Goes to

    SIYABONGA MKHUTYUKELWA    DRUMS OF LOVE

    Who doesn’t believe in love? Especially those long and romantic movies that might make one to be taken away by their minds to the magic world filled with a cool golden breeze of love. I guess that person is me. I often feel annoyed whenever I see people getting trapped in the name of marriage and literally finding no way to escape from this deep dark cave called love.

    Well that is what I believed until I saw this gorgeous young lady bearing the gifts of drumming which made me to fall in a dark hole called love.

    THE JUDGES SAID: Amazing!  It is so direct and unselfconscious and poetic!  ‘The golden breeze of love  . .’   What is not to like?   Doesn’t matter if he or she has picked it up from movie magazines.  It shows a love of words.  And it doesn’t hurt that I don’t quite know what the experience was.

    CONGRATULATIONS ALL! Winners, Shortlisted authors and EVERYBODY who submitted a story. You are all wonderful and deserve a bright future, whatever you do.

  • THE FINALISTS!

    THE FINALISTS!

    I have pleasure in announcing the FINALISTS in the UNDER 18 MEGASAGA WRITING COMPETITION

    BUT FIRST: As I promised, each writer will be given feedback here on their story by the Judges. I hope you will read the feedback carefully and use it to continue to improve your writing skills. Make no mistake: just being included in the Shortlist shows you have talent!

    So first, the FEEDBACK. Then, the TOP 4 STORIES each one of which will get a CASH PRIZE.

    FEEDBACK FROM THE JUDGES

    Read the original stories here: http://jonelkon.com/megasaga-shortlist-under-18s/

    LINDA NKOMO   KAZAU

    Powerful stuff.  Someone who is excited by words and has probably been to church quite a lot or had the Bible read to her.  It is the last couple of lines that really stands out:  we are suddenly out of the whirlwind and in Johannesburg and then the wonderful and the stars flourished and back to earth with the final words.  It is a bit like a piece of music.

    SITHOLILE MAGOQOZA   THE FIRE

    Its good quality is its directness and sincerity.  The strength of this piece is the very factual nature of the reporting, as well as the reaction of the protagonist.

    SITHOLIE MAGOQOZA   HOW PEOPLE GET NAMES

    I loved this thoughtful little fable where the language veers between the vernacular and poetic and I like the way he/she uses caps to make her/ his point at the end.  And a lovely simple final sentence/thought.

    BLESSING MUDZINGWA   A DIFFICULT LIFE WITHOUT A MOTHER’S LOVE  

    Very touching .The one thing that really stood out as truly imaginative was the idea of the question as a gift.  But phrases like ‘she couldn’t take it any more’ lower the temperature.  The last line, however, rings true: a powerful feeling expressed in the writer’s own words.

    BRIGHTNESS MOHLAKOANE    CROSS YOUR HEART AND HOPE TO DIE

    The writer is talking to herself so it makes sense that when she repeats what her friend said, the language is very different. An interesting episode, which shows how and why one should never give up.

    NTOMBIVUYO  ZOE MHLONGO    REALITY ALWAYS HITS HARD 

    A dreadful experience honestly told. Good, plain descriptive writing. The simplicity of the description adds to the horror. The last line is excellent, as it leaves the reader thinking deeply: “I realized I was brought into a world where family is merely blood.”

    (Charlotte) MAROPENG RAMOLOTO – MEETING HER DIDN’T DETERMINE MY DESTINATION

    There is a kind of biblical simplicity about a sentence like ‘Knowing her was my wish.’   Hard not to respond to such an unadulterated expression of feeling.  A beautiful description of an important event in a young life.

    WILLIAM TERRENCE   A WOMAN’S SECRET

    The language is simple but this little story has real narrative force.   This makes it really promising.  The writer shows a great deal of insight and warns us never to jump to conclusions.

    GANIE SINDANA  WHY THERE ARE ROCKS

    Loved this one.  A real story.   Full of invention and the lack of punctuation which does, of course, need to be corrected, makes it read most appropriately as though the teller is breathless with excitement. (I hope it is his or her own invention but would like the telling even if it isn’t.)

    SIYABONGA MKHUTYUKELWA    DRUMS OF LOVE

    Amazing!  It is so direct and unselfconscious and poetic!  ‘The golden breeze of love  . .’   What is not to like?   Doesn’t matter if he or she has picked it up from movie magazines.  It shows a love of words.  And it doesn’t hurt that I don’t quite know what the experience was.

    AMAHLE VALASHIYA    LIGHTNING AND THUNDER 

    A nice attempt, I love the idea of Lightning and Thunder as mother and son and their disturbing the villagers.  `the ending needs a little work – nevertheless, well-achieved within the 100 words!.  

    REBECCA MODISE   THE MIRACLE

    I liked this and would expect the writer to be a very sensible girl with a good imagination.

    CANDY MAMABOLO  BULLYING VICTIM’S VOICE FIGHTS HER BATTLE 

     The writer is definitely involved in this happening . It needed to be longer but obviously for a story like this, 100 words are just not enough. This story is about overcoming obstacles – especially bullying.

    SINETHEMBA MALINGA   THE ONE BLACK TREE

    Some vivid elements and I like the pace:  ‘ . . .  in a world full of magic . . . ‘ but as a story, it needs more narrative and depth. If the writer had more than 100 words, that would have been achieved. The writer needs to practise longer form fiction. Certainly there is talent here.

    SINOTHILE MATILDA   CARVE

    This has elements of traditional stories and I like the simplicity of the language. It reads like a wonderful traditional tale, which would make the basis for an exciting Manga animation.

    NTOMBIVUYO ZOE MHLONGO – I WEPT

    This astonishing story was left out of the first shortlist by mistake. It is a story that comes from the heart, and is deeply shocking. The last words are so well crafted: ‘Like always.’ A perfect example of bathos, leaving the reader wanting more.

    SUMMARY: the stories seem to fall into two main categories: the traditional, magical and the real life experience. Both are equally valid, and the results are fascinating. Esther said, ‘each one could be the basis for a film script!’ and I do agree.

    For next year, I suggest setting a theme or topic, so that the writers have more to go on! Congratulations to every writer here! You all show imagination, talent and enthusiasm.

    THE FINALISTS ARE:

    I WEPT by Ntombivuyo Zoe Mhlongo

    KAZAU by Linda Nkomo

    DRUMS OF LOVE by Siyabonga Mkhutyukelwa

    WHY THERE ARE ROCKS by Ganie Sindana  

    CONGRATULATIONS!

    NOT in order! The WINNERS will be announced on SUNDAY! Meanwhile comment! Complain! Celebrate! Congratulate!

  • MEGA under 18 Update

    NEWS!

    PRIZES ANNOUNCED

    Thanks to the generosity of the well-known Jamaican Actress, photographer and writer ESTHER ANDERSON the prizes are now: £50 first prize (around Rands 1,000) 2nd Prize £25 (about R500) ; 3rd Prize £20 4th Prize £15. And ALL the shortlisted authors will be celebrated.

    Sincere thanks to you, Esther, for encouraging young South African writers!

    Esther Anderson (L) with Director Fenella Greenfield at the re-release of the Harder they Come in London

    JUDGING ANNOUNCED!

    Another Esther, Esther Whitby (previously Editor at the world-famous publishers Andre Deutsch, who edited my novels) has joined the Judging Panel to help me sort out the winners. Thank you Esther! It’s a very difficult job. All the entries have something marvellous about them.

    The FINALISTS will be announced tomorrow. Sorry about the delay!

  • MEGASAGA SHORTLIST! Under 18s

    MEGASAGA SHORTLIST! Under 18s

    South Africa is truly a hotbed of writing talent!

    …as I found when I gave some seminars to a large number of would-be writers through the auspices of the incredible charity, Afrika Tikkun. See https://afrikatikkun.org. Afrika Tikkun work to help young South Africans, mostly from very deprived backgrounds, through education into employment. It’s about developing and meeting aspirations – and in the two years I have had the privilege of delivering writing seminars, the students’ enthusiasm has no limits.

    So here are their stories. Eventually I (and the victims I choose to help me judge!) will be faced with the immensely difficult task of choosing just one story to award the Junior Prize of £50 to, around a thousand Rands. HOWEVER: WATCH THIS SPACE! There may soon be excellent news about other prizes on offer…) So choose your favourites! Comment on which you find the most engaging, and remember that the key challenge of the task is – each story can only be a MAXIMUM of 100 words! Now that requires skill and art.

    Please remember: for many of these students (aged 11-18) English is their second or third language, so these stories are a significant achievement for every writer.

    1) 

    KAZAU

    Cast away from the gates of heaven, an angel grounded in the pit of hell. With range and selfishness, the angel made himself sovereign of hell and with him the first wife of Adam, empress of hell, Lilith, together they ruled the underworld. Whispering hatred, lust, greed to the ears of those who walked upon earth. Kazau, son of the great serpent bound to enter the earth and wreak havoc to the streets of Johannesburg. Till the stars flourished and the sun rose he did as he was destined …until a night where he fell in love with a mortal.

    Linda Nkomo

    2)

    THE FIRE

    Here I am once again – slumped on that chair for what feels like hours on end. Everyone screamed and asked for help running for their lives. Clouds of black smoke filled the sky.

    I stood there in shock wondering “Is my life coming to an end?” I tried to escape but was too spaced out to make a move. I never even noticed that the fire had broken out in one part of the classroom. I was in shock. I couldn’t believe it… I was safe, after being dragged out with burnt school pants serving as a reminder.

    Sitholile Magoqoza

    3)

    How people get names

    In the olden days before people even named their villages or towns, there was harmony in the world until people started having more kids and there was disorder. One brave man came up with a clever plan, that they would start naming places, towns, food, and even people to restore order in the world. People thought he was going crazy until time went by and people met to try out his plan. The first person named was Cebo meaning the man’s. Since then everything was named according to its characteristics THE MAN’s PLAN WORKED. The world was restored.

    Sitholile Magoqoza

    4)

    A difficult life without a mother’s love

    Once upon a time there was a girl named Thandi. She lived with her father, her mother had left her since she was a little baby. He did everything she demanded. When it was her sixteenth birthday she demanded such a difficult gift from her father. She wanted him to tell her about her mother, but her father didn’t know how to tell her that her mother could not take it anymore because they were poor she then decided to leave them.

    When Thandi heard all those things her heart was very broken

    Blessing Mudzingwa

    5)

    Cross your heart and hope to die

    ‘Truth should always win out but cross your heart and hope to die.’ I said that to myself

    When I looked in the bathroom mirror at school. I had just received my report seeing how much I had failed my main subjects. Naledi came in after she heard what happened and said ‘success is a very uncomfortable process, and failing is not fatal’. Walking past me as I was frustrated. I wiped my tears and took a deep breath, telling myself’ I can push harder next time ‘I smiled and looked away.

    Brightness Mohlakoane

    6)

    Reality always hits hard.

    Mother, mother! I screamed as I found her in her room, bleeding on the floor.

    I froze as I thought the worst. I picked up my phone to call someone but reality hit. We have no one. It was just me, my mother and my brother. My other relatives abandoned us because according to them my mother killed my father. I cried, my mother was motionless, probably bleeding to death. I called an ambulance. As I waited for a response from the doctors, I realized I was brought into a world where family is merely blood.

    Ntombivuyo Zoe Mhlongo

    7)

    MEETING HER DIDN’T DETERMINE MY DESTINATION

    Once upon a time, there was a cute, melanin, friendly and kind lady as I thought I could pull her closer and yes I did. Knowing her was my wish.

    I decided to go to her and introduce myself and looked straight in her eyes, she smiled. As soon as I saw her smile I blushed like a little child, as time went by we started being close. I could have sworn that god is a woman. I promise meeting her didn’t determine my destination, well her name is Mathapelo and she’s still mine.

    (Charlotte) Maropeng Ramoloto 

    8)

    A WOMEN’S SECRET

    Everyday people in Turkey wondered why the woman is always wearing shoes. A 32 years old woman called Mary always liked to wear shoes. Stories went around saying even when she is crossing a river Mary will always wear shoes.

    One-day Mary was fighting with a man on a bus, she took off her shoes and hit the man. All eyes on her feet. Passengers realize that she doesn’t have toes.

    Mary told herself that she must not be scared of other people. Mary started to have confidence, she started to accept her disability and inspire others.

    William Terrence 

    10)

    Why there are rocks

    Once upon a time there was a place called Arekopaneng deep inside the jungle where Giants made from rocks lived, they lived 100million years without being disturbed .

    One day a giant decided to go explore the woods just to look then come back then a human appeared, he jumped “I think we got one!!”the giant ran as quick as it could! And told the chief what had happened.

    The giants were ordered to go hide, sleep and never show themselves again some shattered Into pieces and that’s why there are rocks, mountains and hills on earth!.

    Gãñïë Sindana 

    11)

    Drums of love

    Who doesn’t believe in love? Especially those long and romantic movies that might make one to be taken away by their minds to the magic world filled with a cool golden breeze of love. I guess that person is me. I often feel annoyed whenever I see people getting trapped in the name of marriage and literally finding no way to escape from this deep dark cave called love.

    Well that is what I believed until I saw this gorgeous young lady bearing the gifts of drumming which made me to fall in a dark hole called love.

    Siyabonga Mkhutyukelwa

    12)

    Lightning and Thunder

    Long time ago in a village called Mucoka, there was Thunder and Lightning. Thunder was the mother and Lightning was the son.

    Lightning was very short tempered and all he has to do is to set everything infront of him on fire and his mother had to make a loud noise in order to reprimand him.

    People from the village were really tired of the chaos, so the people from the village decided to go to the chief and addressed the problem. The chief decided to banish them and told them to stay in the sky

    Amahle Valashiya

    13)

    THE MIRACLE  

    Once upon a time there was a lady called Mary. She was 40 years old. Mary was having a womb problem, always praying God to bless her with kids. She was living alone in a rural area. One day Mary went to the bush to refresh her mind. While walking around the bush, she found a doll under the tree, picked it and went back home. When she arrives she named a doll “Blessing”. She started treating the doll like a human being. One day miracle happens the doll become alive, that’s when Mary started having a family.

    Rebecca Modise

    14)

    Bullying victim’s voice fights her battle

    In the evening, contestants were having makeovers done with their upmarket outfits. Ntombi, whose labelled as “pauper” just wore her old pink dress.

    “Everybody please gather around” said the host. Everyone gathered and the competition began.

    Contestants took turns on stage and it was Alisa’s gangs’ turn to perform whom always bullied Carol about her background. They danced their routine, then came Ntombi’s moment. She started singing her song that she got lost in it with her eyes closed. The crowd cheered for her. Finally, the competition ended and Ntombi became the victor. Since then she never experienced bullying.

    Candy Mamabolo

    15)

    That one black tree

    Long ago in a world full of magic there was a man named Adonis who was known for his handsomeness but had an evil heart . He lived in Asos village .He didn’t love anyone but himself so one day he met a young woman with the name of Lyre (brave).He fell in love with the woman , the villagers were stunned because he was evil so they cast a spell on him and was transformed into a black tree that no one dares to touch . Adonis lived with the curse for the rest of his life.

    Sinethemba Malinga 

    16)

    Carve

    There once was a boy called Carve. He was gifted the power of carving. Whatever he carved, came to life. He lived in the royal palace of Khulula, because of his gift. He received daily requests from the King, to carve him numerous objects, but in return he would not get any form of appreciation. He then got tired of being used for his power. He had then fled from the Palace and the Kingdom to live in the Solar Mountains and was never to be seen again. Some people say he still carves to this day, cause of unknown creatures.

    Sinothile Matilda

    17)

    I WEPT

    “You are useless,” he said In a calm and collected way as if what he was saying wasn’t about to pierce into someone’s heart. He stood, maintaining eye contact. You could see that he had no sense of remorse. As soon as I left the room, I broke, finally letting my tears escape. His words had cut deeper than his hands ever could. I’m not saying it is his fault, he just has no idea the damage he causes. He utters without thought and breaks souls without noticing. A father had broken a daughter, I wept. Like always

    Ntombivuyo Zoe Mhlongo

    If YOUR story wasn’t chosen for the Shortlist this time, it’s not because it was no good! ALL the stories submitted this year show promise, and you are a hero for submitting yours.

    COMMENT! CELEBRATE! SHARE!

    THE TOP THREE WILL BE CHOSEN NEXT WEEK. Keep an eye on the website. AND KEEP WRITING! READING! PERFECTING! INVENTING!

  • WINNERS!!!!

    WINNERS!!!!

    THIS YEAR FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER….

    The OVER 18 PRIZE of £100 is split between

    BEULAH HARRIS for her brilliant story I in which she evokes the serenity, power and inherent menace of the sea

    LORNA MALAN for her MIMICKED ME, a poetic, evocative stroll through her interior world, the confrontation with death and the determination to carry on.

    READ THE FINALISTS’ STORIES HERE http://jonelkon.com/the-finalists-writing-competition/

    READ THE FULL SHORTLIST HERE: http://jonelkon.com/the-shortlist-senior/

    This year’s entries were spectacular on the whole, which made the final decision fraught, to say the least. SPECIAL MENTION goes to all the people brave enough to submit their stories for consideration. Especial special mention to CAITLIN HUXHAM for her ‘Going Home‘. Caitlin I took the liberty of doing a tiny edit, I hope that’s ok.

    All the stories submitted by the winners were excellent, by the way. Each writer can submit three entries. Beulah’s were shortlisted! As were Lorna’s, showing both their talent. It took me a while to get Beulah’s ‘cheese grater’ joke (in ‘Home’) but when I did, I realised: Braille! Brilliant! The other story which blew both of my socks off was Judgement Day by Lorna – a powerful story with a shocking ending.

    These two South African writers really deserve wider recognition and I hope their triumph in this Competition may help in some way. Never give up, both of you! Recognition needs to be seduced, charmed, earned. Continually.

    More SPECIAL MENTIONS: Lona Simandla, for THE STRENGTH IN ME, an empowering piece; Zenith Milner for her OCCUPY YOUR HEART WITH LOVE, a call for joining our political activism to our emotional growth; Erica Kennedy-Smith for a TRUE SOUTH AFRICAN TALE, which paints a marvellous picture of the challenges faced in our Home Country and her determination to live on and adapt; FIREHEART by Pavlova Maharaj (a previous winner) is a call to end sexism and as a true story, an encouraging tale; Alan Maxwell’s BATTLE OF LAING’S NEK is such an assured, well-crafted piece of writing, it deserved inclusion in the Shortlist; the same applies to his shocking PAID IN FULL. I did enjoy Grigor’s CORONA for its imagery and power! and finally THE DARK STREET is so dark, I’ve lost the submission email! Please let me know if you are the author! Apologies.

    Keep writing. Keep reading. Never give up!

    NEXT: THE UNDER 18 SHORTLIST! To be announced tomorrow.

  • THE FINALISTS

    THE FINALISTS

    THE JUDGES HAVE SPOKEN….

    IT HAS BEEN A HUGE TASK to choose the three best megasagas (over 18s), one of which will be chosen as the winner of the £100 prize in four days time.

    If YOU are not amongst the WINNERS, you are still a champion. It takes such courage to enter a competition! Repeat after me: ‘I am a wonderful writer and I’m going to show Jon Elkon and the judges of the 2022 competition how good I am.’ How? By continually working on your craft; by improving with everything you write; by reading good writers and being inspired by them. By always observing our fellow humans and using original words to make them live on paper. By making our world into words. By dreaming, and telling us your dreams.

    The Judges are both readers and writers. Joie Davidow and Laura Sebastian are successful novelists, and KBE and CB are dear friends who read voraciously and critically.

    The Judges say ‘I was impressed by the quality of the submissions! So much talent and imagination!’ (Joie Davidow)  ‘…there is so much to commend in all the entries it’s almost impossible to pick the top three’ (Laura Sebastian) ‘I so enjoyed this process! I forgot how short they are – amazing to get so much into only a hundred words’ (KBE) ‘I can’t actually choose only three. All the stories on your short shortlist have something to commend them’ (CB)

    The FINALISTS are presented not in order of preference!

    I
     
    I am magnificent.  It is dusk and there are no frolickers disturbing my waves. 
    A woman watches me.  Wait – is she admiring me, or the mediocre horizon? I am far more beautiful, much more worthy of her mesmerized gaze!

    I send giggling ripples to tease her ankles.   Yes! It works…she walks into my depths until my sand no longer feels her feet. My swells gently carry her beauty away from the beach. I am delighted because I want to keep her. I have many creatures but I have never had such a pretty one, all dressed in white.

    BEULAH HARRIS

    The judges were all impressed by the way this writer commands words and images. She has the ability to toy playfully with the reader’s expectations, and then deliver her final blow in a devastating last sentence. This is a very confident, assured piece of writing in which every word has its place, there is never any wastage.   ‘It ….was consistently coherent from the first word to the last, and I loved that he chose to tell his tale from the point of view of the sea.’

    Mimicked Me

    Perched upon my windowsill, underneath a serene dawn, glimpses of my tombstones peek at me through Willow trees. Each one bares my name. Underneath? Everyone I used to be. Below the gated area lay my emotions, no tombstones, I intricately stitched together masks that resembled these instead. My best work. Startled by my alarm clock, I remember this special day, it requires I smile. The voices within me begin to weep “dig up joy!” they cry. I scream and they fade. To my left, all my perfectly mounted masks and I whisper “The mimicked me, it will be.” 

    LORNA MALAN

    Here there are some wonderful images, and a tangle of metaphors which work extremely well to convey atmosphere. Personally, I’m allergic to any short story which ends with ‘it was just a dream.’ However, we realise that we have been in a dreamscape in the middle of the story, which allows the substance to unravel, ending with a tease. I stumbled on the spelling of “bare’ in the second line. Then I realised that in that context, “bare” as in “naked” is a poetic image which works well. ‘ ‘I was struck by the image of a graveyard full of older versions of oneself. Brilliant and astonishing for one so young’

    GOING HOME

    “I have come here to die,” she tells me, smiling sadly. 
    At 81, she feels as invincible as she was the day she turned 21. 
    But she’s been made to leave her home, husband and pets for this cold town. 
    She loves good cheese and Egypt. 
    She feels deeply misunderstood. 
    I listen in silence as she tells me of her full life, of all she’s accomplished and still wishes to do. 
    I wish I had an answer for her, I wish I could take her loneliness away. 
    But all I can do is smile and nod. 

    CAITLIN HUXHAM

    This story is very affecting. ‘Phrases like “she loves good cheese and Egypt” really work for me, in the contrast between cheese and Egypt! We’ve all felt like this when we meet a beloved older person. If only we could hear all their stories! ‘Frankly, it just made me tear up. It’s the simplicity of the images that gets to me’

    WHAT DO YOU THINK? Your comments are welcomed! Look at the shortlist – http://jonelkon.com/the-shortlist-senior/did the Judges choose the right stories?

    THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED LATEST ON THURSDAY

  • THE SHORTLIST – Senior

    THE SHORTLIST – Senior

    AMENDED! As a result of my mixing up files, I have added and subtracted some of the shortlist. APOLOGIES

    Congratulations to everybody who submitted an entry!

    It takes courage to enter a writing competition, so well done! If you haven’t made the shortlist don’t be disappointed. Keep trying! Entering competitions is a great way to improve your skills.

    HERE ARE THE STORIES THAT MADE IT

    CHOSEN FOR ORIGINALITY, skill and above all, for the ability shown by the Writer to synthesise and encapsulate complex emotions and/or events. A Megasaga is very different to any other form, except, perhaps, poetry. With the added constraint of having to stick to 100 words, each of which must have its place and power. Similar, perhaps, to a haiku, a sonnet or even a limerick. It’s very skilled as I’m sure all of you found!

    SO here they are! Comments very much welcomed. Which do YOU think work best? The Judges will be deliberating, and the final result will be announced MID AUGUST

    1)

    I
     
    I am magnificent.  It is dusk and there are no frolickers disturbing my waves. 
    A woman watches me.  Wait – is she admiring me, or the mediocre horizon? I am far more beautiful, much more worthy of her mesmerized gaze!

    I send giggling ripples to tease her ankles.   Yes! It works…she walks into my depths until my sand no longer feels her feet. My swells gently carry her beauty away from the beach. I am delighted because I want to keep her. I have many creatures but I have never had such a pretty one, all dressed in white.

    2)

    Home

    The tip-tap of his white cane preceded his familiar silhouette. The beggar had endeared himself to the ladies with his joke that a cheese grater he had found was the most violent book he had ever read.
        He felt warm coffee placed in his hand, a soft kiss on his scarred face. He liked this street…some fatal stabbings, but the victims were bad men, so who cared?  This was home.
        Clutching his faithful bowie knife, he shared a crooked smile with the crescent moon.  He crouched under his warm blankets and settled down for the night to keep watch

    3)

    Judgement Day

    The judge stares at me, I cannot read her expression. The prosecutor is running her mouth so viciously I can barely make out her ramblings. My lawyer hushes the thoughts in my head with a few comforting words. The typist is bashing away at the keyboard – sensory overload. I’ve committed a heinous crime. I didn’t say goodbye. 

    So I switch off the recording button, I don’t need the judge’s glare. I take all the pills to kill the prosecutors blare and I turn up the volume of my lawyer to the last song you played before you died.

    4)

    Mimicked Me

    Perched upon my windowsill, underneath a serene dawn, glimpses of my tombstones peek at me through Willow trees. Each one bares my name. Underneath? Everyone I used to be. Below the gated area lay my emotions, no tombstones, I intricately stitched together masks that resembled these instead. My best work. Startled by my alarm clock, I remember this special day, it requires I smile. The voices within me begin to weep “dig up joy!” they cry. I scream and they fade. To my left, all my perfectly mounted masks and I Whisper “The mimicked me, it will be.” 

    5)

    Fireheart 

    She was the girl that wore baggy shirts and sneakers. She would pull her long wispy hair into a bun. She fixed cars instead of baking cakes. Fire ran through her veins, like water through a hose. 

    Yet, when she wanted to pursue her dream of becoming a firefighter, she was rejected, because women simply couldn’t fight fires. 

    She believed that men are hard-headed hypocrites and she refused to let a stone-age system stop her from doing a “man’s” job. 

    She became the change she wanted to see! 

    [6 months later] – “Congratulations to South Africa’s first female firefighter! 

    6)

    THE STRENGTH IN ME

    I have been doing a lot of cleaning lately in my life. I can say I’ve been cleaning my closet. Getting rid of all the stuff that is not useful. I thought they were important but now I realise they were just taking up space making it hard for me to welcome the new. There are people in my life I thought were really for me but they never cared for me. It took me courage to finally let go of them. I was scared at first but doing that showed me how strong I am.

    7)

    “I have come here to die,” she tells me, smiling sadly. 

    At 81, she feels as invincible as she was the day she turned 21. 

    But she’s been made to leave her home, husband and pets for this cold town. 

    She loves good cheese and Egypt. 

    She feels deeply misunderstood. 

    I listen in silence as she tells me of her full life, of all she’s accomplished and still wishes to do. 

    I wish I had an answer for her, I wish I could take her loneliness away. 

    But all I can do is smile and nod. 

    – old age home 

    8)

    Occupy your Heart with Love 

    There once was a campaign called  Occupy.  It was composed of activists who would meet to raise awareness of social and environmental issues.

        One woman went to Occupy St Paul’s, at the steps of 

    St Paul’s Cathedral, where a group were camping. She was in the environmental and peace groups.

        When the occupation was disbanding she wrote a song:

    ‘I wanna occupy my head with good things, 

     I wanna occupy my heart with love.

     I wanna occupy my heart with good feelings 

     For the people that we want to take care of ….’

    It went viral!

    9)

    A True South African Tale

    The community lived together in gentle peace and harmony. They were comforted by the helpfulness of their neighbours. They were warmed by the sense of belonging and being able to trade and sell their wares to survive the harshness that had befallen them. Yet, a darkness lurked and made them afraid of what would be next. Their life-giving water supply dried up and their candles burned to nothing. Was the control out of their hands or could they take it back? No more, they said…… we will quench our thirst and light our own way.

    10)

    BATTLE OF LAING’S NEK. 28 JANUARY 1881. 

    Caught in a deadly crossfire, Tom Baker’s 3rd Battalion was being decimated by the unrelenting accuracy of the Boer rifle fire. Knowing he had but seconds to live, Tom saw a British soldier waving from a trench twenty feet away. Fear lent wings to his feet and five seconds later he dived into the hole. As he turned to thank his saviour, Tom felt a bayonet slam into his stomach, ripping him open.

    “Why?” he gasped as the light faded away.

    Jack smiled. “I’m practicing for when I get home.”

    11)

    PAID IN FULL

    The old man’s terrible sins haunted his dreams. He’d tried to unburden his soul, but each time he’d entered the confessional the unmistakable stench of Auschwitz had assaulted his nostrils and his stumbling words had turned to ash. Now, as stared into the barrel of an unforgiving revolver, he knew his time was up.

    “I beg you all for forgiveness!” he cried, but his plea had no effect on the long lines of grim shadows gathered before him. He could feel their cold, eager fingers pressing on his as they cocked the weapon and pulled the trigger.

    12)

    Corona

    From its beastly home, one day it escaped. New hosts! Bigger! More mobile! Hurray. Stalking through the town it leapt from person to person, intruding into lungs with a polite ‘by your leave, do let me in’ and there it sat, replicating. Catharsis! Destroy, destroy! Until the Host, suffocating and strangled by the joyful dance in their chests, dies.

    From the town to the world. Invade! Attack! Kill! Destroy! What joy. World domination by stealth. Until the realisation finally dawns: by killing its hosts it too will die. The progeny then, modify, and sit, replicating from lung to lung…

    13)

    THE DARK STREET

    The street was darker, with every step I took my heart pounded even harder. I could not shake the feeling of fear of me, as I watched at the dark figure approaching me. I prayed to god that let this be my savior and not the perpetrator of my end. I slowly took steps towards the little glimmer of light and as soon as I locked eyes with this figure, a woman I could see the look of relief on her face, her face filled with assurance knowing that she is safe for another moment, to live.

    COMMENT! CHEER! Which is your favourite and why???

    I still love you all….

  • UPDATE

    UPDATE

    Over 18 deadline PASSED! Under 18 deadline 29th July

    The MEGASAGA COMPETITION enters its final weeks! And Britain boils with excitement – well, to be honest, the incredible heat in the UK today is more to do with Climate Change than your 100 word stories…

    WRITE A 100 WORD STORY AND GET IT PUBLISHED!

    The deadline for JUNIOR entries is MIDNIGHT UK TIME FRIDAY 29th July

    The SHORTLIST will be published here at the end of the month, with comments from three published writers to help you refine and improve your craft. And within a year, I propose to publish a book of the best Megasagas, illustrated, from the five years I have been running the Competition. The collection will be sold in aid of an African Educational charity. More information closer to publication date.

    The JUDGES this year are Laura Sebastian, author of the wonderful Ash Princess series – her website is here https://laurasebastianwrites.com, and Joie Davidow, singer and author, whose excellent novel An Unofficial Marriage is currently making music in my head. Her website is here http://www.joiedavidow.com. And me!

    One entrant who has submitted 3 (the maximum) said ‘It’s been an amazing exercise. The discipline is so testing, it’s like producing a Haiku or a Sonnet. Yet very satisfying!’

    It’s not easy! But it’s great fun. I’ve been doing them for years, and frankly I love the process.

    FOR THE RULES OF THE COMPETITION SEE http://jonelkon.com/writing-competition-2022/

    HERE’S ONE I MADE EARLIER……(Sorry – just having fun!)

    A BOIL ON THE BIN

    He carefully pushed the curtain aside, cringing back as a ravening sunbeam leapt into the room. The carpet began to smoke, so he rushed to push the curtain back into place .’Hah!’ he said. ‘at last it’s working!’ Casually, he upended his full coffee-cup on the smoking carpet and giggled. Just time to finish the contracts he had started in gleeful anticipation of this precious moment. ‘Let’s see….’ he said. He poked a cigarette out of the window where it happily leapt into a friendly glow and began to type. By evening, he had finished.

    Aaaah…. exactly 100 words, including the title. Just for a spot of demonic fun…Yours can be tragic, funny, intriguing, sunny!

    WRITE ONE NOW! I can’t wait to read it….

    SEND YOUR STORY or stories with the title MEGASAGA 5 ENTRY to jonelkon3@gmail.com

  • SCAM ALERT

    NOTE: The MEGASAGA COMPETITION is FREE to ENTER

    Some people have been contacted by somebody calling themselves ‘Europa Press’ or similar, asking for money.

    IT IS A SCAM DO NOT PAY

    Please inform me of any attempt to charge you money in respect of your Megasaga entries, and I will report them to the police and appropriate international authorities.

  • WIN £100 for 100 words! MEGASAGA UPDATE –

    WIN £100 for 100 words! MEGASAGA UPDATE –

    JUDGES ANNOUNCED

    I’M happy to report that this year two well-loved writers will be joining the Panel.

    They are Laura Sebastian, author of the wonderful Ash Princess series – her website is here https://laurasebastianwrites.com, and Joie Davidow, singer and author, whose excellent novel An Unofficial Marriage is currently making music in my head. Her website is here http://www.joiedavidow.com

    Both writers are devoted to our art of writing, and their input will be invaluable.

    HAVE YOU WRITTEN YOUR STORY YET?

    Remember, you can submit up to three stories to the Competition and IT’S FREE TO ENTER!

    WIN £100 FOR 100 WORDS!

    Submit your story by emailing it to jonelkon3@gmail.com with the title MEGASAGA 5 ENTRY

    We’re looking forward to reading it.

    See the rules of entry here http://jonelkon.com/writing-competition-2022/

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