Second Anniversary Contest Winners
The judges read ALL the contest entries and made their choices. They were so close it was really hard to pick the top three. We were pleased that some of our reviewers took this opportunity to try their hand at a contest--and also pleased that we heard from first-timers.
We were SO IMPRESSED with the caliber of writers who submitted.
They had to use a certain number of "odd" words--word choices that sometimes determined the content. Looks like they had fun with words like elephant, Post-It-Notes, hard drive, armchair interviews, Las Vegas, elementary and red light, to name a few.
Ta da...drum roll...ta da! THE WINNERS ARE:
First place--$100
An Old Fashioned Kind of Gal by Jeneal Rogers of Oklahoma
First Honorable Mention--$50
Zoo Day Mystery by Jan Warren of Oklahoma
Second Honorable Mention--$25
Anniversary Surprise by Valerie Fentress, Texas
Information about these writers and their stories follow. Read on...
Jeneal Rogers
You can't imagine how pleased I was to find I had won the contest. Not only have I never won a writing contest before, but I have never even been published. So, of course, I immediately sent out the word to friends and relatives, as if I had won a Pulitzer or something.
I was born and raised in SE Missouri, the eldest of four children. The first stories I made up were for the amusement of my younger brother and sister. As I grew up, I didn't think of myself as a writer, but as an artist. I enjoyed drawing and painting, etc.
I have spent most of my adult years working in the field of Early Childhood Education, where I started to write, and illustrate, picture books for young children. I also tried my hand at some short stories, articles etc. I submitted some of these to publishers, and have received what I believe to be more than my fair share of rejection letters.
Like most writers, I am an avid reader and like to read and write almost anything, as long as it's well-written, and clean. (Well, not everything I write is well-written, but I would like for it to be.) About a year ago, through a lot of prayer and talks with my husband, I decided it was time for me to take my writing from the hobby level to the professional level. I joined Christian Writers Guild (CWG), American Christian Fiction Writers/Writers of Inspirational Novels and Fellowship of Christian Writers. Through these groups, I have made new friends and learned a lot about the craft.
Currently, besides CWG assignments, I'm working on a contemporary character novel and illustrations for "A Quiet Christmas Moment," a Christmas devotional book written by Cheryl Barker. I also had a lot of fun with this contest, and will probably try my hand at more of them.
Here's her winning story:
An Old-Fashioned Kind of Gal
By Jeneal Rogers
Natalie arrived as the paramedics were carrying me out. "How do you feel?"
"Like there's an elephant dancing on my chest. Probably a heart attack."
The ambulance's red light illuminated Natalie's worried face. This was her fault. She'd insisted I use my husband's computer saying, "Anyone can do it." Easy for her to say. Words like "hard drive" and "modem" trip off her tongue as easily as "super-size it," does mine.
But I don't trust a machine that has access to my bank account. I'm an old fashioned kind of gal. Give me a pen and a checkbook anytime. I'd survived perfectly well, thank-you-very-much, without ever touching a computer, and could've happily done so forever, if not for Natalie.
"You've got to see my book review in Armchair Interviews. Don't worry. I'll talk you through it."
That was just like Natalie. Always thinking of herself. She's some friend.
Natalie is always talking me into taking risks, like using an ATM and a cell phone. So I sat down at Jim's desk and looked at the monster. My pulse quickened. A multicolored figure eight bounced around the screen in slow motion, changing colors as it went, pretty in a lava lamp sort of way.
"Okay, I'm here," I croaked into the phone. My throat felt parched. "What now?"
"Just get onto the internet."
"Okay. How?"
"Just move the mouse to..."
"Natalie! You know very well I'm afraid of mice!"
"Not that kind of mouse. The computer mouse. The little thing next to the keyboard."
"That's the typewriter part, right?"
Well, believe it or not, I did figure it out. You could have knocked me over with a feather when I pushed the button and things started happening. I was elated, for a minute. Then the beast demanded a password. I don't know the password. I tried "open sesame." No luck. I started typing all kinds of guesses. Then I started hitting buttons at random. Finally, the machine told me, I was "not authorized." Well, I already knew that. I threw the rat at the screen. A light started blinking angrily at me. My head started spinning. I couldn't breath. I was nauseated. "Call nine-one-one," I whispered into the phone.
The next thing I knew the paramedics were at my door.
*****
The following day, Natalie came into my kitchen, looking as nervous as a clogger trying out as a Las Vegas showgirl. A pregnant clogger, at that. She pulled a brightly wrapped package from behind her back. "I'm glad it was just a panic attack. But I still feel bad. So I brought you a gift. Something to help you get organized."
"This isn't one of those Pods or Blueberry things is it?" I gingerly lifted the lid and couldn't believe my eyes. Post-It-Notes and pencils!
"I figured you would rather have something a little more elementary."
What a great surprise! That was just like Natalie. Always thinking of others. She's some friend!
First Honorable Mention: Jan Warren
I'm an avid reader of several genres from romantic suspense to historical as well as some non-fiction books, which I review for Armchair Interviews. I have been married over 39 years and have two grown children and two teenage grandsons. I am a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, ACFW Writers of Inspirational Novels, Inspy Crits, Romance Writers of America, RWA's Faith, Hope & Love chapter, Romance Writers Ink, Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc., Oklahoma Night Writers, Scriptscene, and Kiss of Death Romantic Suspense Writers groups. I am also active in three critique groups, which includes multi-published and award winning authors. My inspirational romantic suspense entries was a finalist in 2005 and won first place in the 2006 Where the Magic Begins contest and sixth place in ACFW 2006 Genesis contest.
Here's Jan's story
Zoo Day Mystery
By Jan Warren
Amy Etheridge shifted from one sandaled foot to the other then checked her watch against the large cast iron clock standing beside the sidewalk. Seven minutes until ten. The note said ten sharp. The mysterious message stuck on her front door this morning sounded urgent, or maybe it was the hint of a little excitement that made her actually make the hard drive across town to see who would show up. She fingered the crumpled Post-It Note again, but couldn't identify the feminine handwriting.
If her husband, John, hadn't been in such a hurry to leave this morning, she'd have told him about it. Even after she dropped off Andy at his elementary school, she wrestled with her curiosity and what to do about the note's ambiguous contents. Then in her haste to make it to the city zoo and the rendezvous, she almost ran a red light. Rendezvous. A grin tugged at her mouth at the mysterious implications of the word then guilt pressed against her conscience. She should call John. A quick search for her cell phone came up empty. She groaned. In her hurry, she'd left it at home. Maybe she should look for a pay phone. No, she was safe and might miss the appointment.
She shifted again and wished she hadn't drunk that second mocha latte. As the note instructed, she stood beside the life-size elephant sculpture. At least, its bulk shaded her from the hot Florida sun. She glanced down at the plaque. "Donated in memory of Las Vegas, the last dancing pachyderm of Boyd's Circus. She died doing what she loved best." The image of an elephant draped in a feather boa was etched in bronze. She did look happy.
Well, I'd love to solve this mystery. So, if I died here and now, would John put on my headstone, "She died doing what she loved best"?
That's absurd! She loved a lot of things better than solving mysteries. She mentally counted off several until she came to her husband. John had been very secretive lately, actually downright unapproachable. She resolved to go on line and check out the books reviewed at Armchair Interviews and see if they recommended one on how to tell your husband you're pregnant when he's never around.
Her chest ached with disappointment and her eyes filled with tears. No! Today of all days she should try to think positive. Okay, getting a year older could be considered a negative, especially when no one bothered to remember.
Before she could stop it, a tear dropped to the sidewalk. She tugged a tissue out of her purse and dabbed her eyes. Maybe she should find the lady's room, after all. The iron clock chimed, mocking her silly adventure. When she turned to go, she ran into a solid wall of muscle. She glanced up to apologize and saw her husband's cheesy grin. Voices erupted all around her with one loud chorus. "Surprise!"
John whispered, "Happy thirtieth, Sweetheart."
Second Honorable Mention -- Valerie Fentress, Texas
I am a native born Texan with an imagination about the same size. I can't remember a time in my life that I wasn't writing something, but it wasn't till a few years back that I listened to God's calling to be a writer.
The last few years have been a whirlwind, since somehow out of my own stubborness I ended up with a degree in Biomedical Science, but the one thing I can't stop doing is creating stories to tell. I write Historical Fiction mainly, and I'm looking forward pitching some of my manuscripts at the Writer's Conference at Mount Hermon, California in March. I am a memeber of American Christian Fiction Writers, Inspirational Writer's Alive, and a Houston-based critique group with Diann Mills.
I am returning to my avid reader status after a few life roadblocks, and I find reading as a source of inspiration to write more. This contest was fun and a challenge. I look forward to the next contest Armchair Interviewers will put out there.
Anniversary Surprise
By Valerie Fentress
"Connie, let's go," the production manager said trying to keep the glasses on her nose and her clipboard of Post-It-Notes in order. Connie saved her latest journal entry on her hard drive, before leaving her office.
"Let's get this show started." Connie jumped out onto the stage to a rush of applause and lights.
"Hello all. Today is going to be a show full of surprises, since today is my second anniversary." Balloons and feathers were released from bags above stage; sending the crowds into a new decibel of applause.
"Thank you. It's been an amazing two years, and I promise this show will only be a tidbit of what's to come. Let's get Phoenix Cisco over for one of my armchair interviews, how about." Women jumped to their feet shouting to see the sexy, up and coming actor, as the tall brunette stepped out on stage.
"Hello there, Connie," Phoenix said giving her a kiss on the cheek.
"Well, I might have to make you the father of my children after that," she said followed by a rush of audience giggles. "So you just finished shooting in Las Vegas. Is there anything that happened that you could share?"
"What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas, Connie."
"Well I was in Vegas while you were filming and I heard rumblings that you have a new girl."
"Of course Connie, I remember your stay with me," Phoenix said with a wink as the crowd gasped.
"Well I don't think that info would stay in Vegas," Connie said, blushing. "So, what projects do you have lined up?"
"Well the Vegas picture will be out in March, and after that I'm helping with an elephant documentary."
"Wow, that's the sweetest thing I've ever heard."
"Conservation is a big issue, and people need to know. I've also signed on to be the leading man in Spielberg's Sherlock Holmes picture."
"What made you want to play that role?"
"I wanted to be able to say 'elementary dear Watson.'" The studio filled with laughter as the actor tried to say the phrase in an English accent.
"Well let's keep the fun going and bring out socialite Andrea Richie." Everyone turned their attention to the curtain, but no one came out. Connie turned to the fashionable phone on the chair-side table, a red light was flashing. "I think Miss Richie is calling in." Connie put the phone on speaker. "Hello there, you're on the 'Hello Connie Show'." No answer from the other end. "Hello?"
"Hello? Ms. Hyland, this is Dr. Anderson."
"Well, I wasn't expecting my physician to be on the line. How are you?"
"I'm well. I have your test results."
"Well let's hear it."
"Are you sure?"
"Of course, I'm healthy."
"Yes, but you're pregnant." Connie's face went white. The audience gasped.
Phoenix leaned over and whispered, "Is it mine?" Connie's hand went across the actor's face and the camera faded to commercial.
THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO ENTERED. OUR JUDGING TEAM SURE ENJOYED ALL THE STORIES.