Writer and photographer
I’m delighted to announce the title of the winning stories in my competition and the names of their authors.
Winner –
Stormy Trees and Wounded Wings, by Sarah Oates
Joint runners-up –
When will you be done? by Louise Witts
and
Dead knots are a fault and weaken the wood. Rot seeps in. Some people prefer it. by David Abbott
Many congratulations to all three writers! Their stories will be published her in early February.
Money tree at Patricio. (Photo copywrite Cath Barton)
Thanks to all who entered my competition. Here, in no particular order, are the titles of the shortlisted stories:
When will you be done?
Stormy Trees and Wounded Wings
Down the YouTube Rabbit Hole
Dead knots are a fault and weaken the wood. Rot seeps in. Some people prefer it.
I don’t yet know who wrote any of these stories – the entries were anonymised for me by my trusty helper before I read and judged them.
Winner and runner-up will be revealed on Thursday (25th Jan), and their stories will be published at the end of next week.
While you’re waiting, here’s another photo of trees.
Somerset trees. Photo copyright Cath Barton
Time for another little writing competition.
What do you see in this photograph?
Tree (Photo copyright Cath Barton 2024)
Write up to 500 words (title not included in word count)
Usual rules about what is not acceptable.
Winner and runner(s)-up published here.
Send your story to me at cath.barton@talktalk.net in the body of an email. Attachments will not be opened.
No previously-published work or use of AI please
Sorry, no feedback, no correspondence about unsuccessful entries.
There’s enough gloom in the world – write something to make me smile or laugh.
Deadline: 10pm (GMT), Sunday 14th January
Get to it!
October
To the Wigmore Hall
We went to hear Errollyn Wallen’s solo recital. So heartwarming.
In writing: On with another round of edits on my novel.
November
Joinery
Me and the bookcase I made in my woodworking class. I loved doing this.
In writing: Started sending my novel out to agents and independent publishers.
December
Flat country
We took a trip over to Thorney to visit my aunt and uncle, and put greenery on the family graves.
In writing: Novella no 4 published!
That’s all folks! See you next year!
July
Breakfast in my tent
Camping at the Flash Fiction Festival in Bristol. I thought my camping days were over, but no! Lovely to see so many fellow writers and attend some great workshops. I even sang karaoke!
In writing: As, sadly, Louise Walters, who published by novella In the Sweep of the Bay, decided to stop publishing, I started working on a project to develop the book into a full-length novel, a saga going back to the 1930s and continuing until the present day.
August
In the footsteps of my ancestors
Great trip to Scotland, visiting old friends and also the place in Eskdalemuir where my paternal great grandparents are buried. I found that very emotional.
In writing: On my return I wrote a little piece for Paragraph Planet (which was published later in the month)
In his footsteps. He was a shepherd, but now there are no sheep. The hills are half-covered in plantations of firs- sitka spruce, he would never have heard of it. But he would have heard what I hear now – the meadow pipits, willow warblers, swallows. All of them, and the sound of the river, the White Esk, ever-flowing, dancing and burbling down the valley. My great-grandfather and me, walking the same land, then, now.
September
Rainbow over Newport Bay, North Pembrokeshire
I took on a challenge which was initially to walk 30 miles in the month in aid of Dementia UK. I decided to aim for 100 and in the end walked 134.5 miles – including some brilliant walks in West Wales – and, thanks to many people’s generosity, raised £1,255 for the charity. So pleased and proud and it’s inspired me to aim for a new walking challenge in 2024 – more of that in the New Year!
No writing really – walking was the most important thing for me in September.
The final part of my 2023 Snapshots series follows on 31 December.
Cath Barton 