Collected Stories from Contests and Events 2014
Christine Brand
Contests and Events 2014
A collection of short stories and flash fiction
By Christine Brand
Copyright 2014 Christine Brand
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Introduction
During 2014 I entered a few writing contests, and submitted to many events.
Here you will find all my submissions from the year. Some are humorous, some serious, a few might come as a surprise to anyone who has read my Flashes of Light collections.
I hope you enjoy reading.
Christine Brand
Contents
Paper Swans Flash Fiction Competition #1 2014 - 22APR14
Dayna L Cheser Spring Contest 2014 (1) - 12MAY14
Daynal L Cheser Spring Contest 2014 (2) - 12MAY14
#Gr8NFFD - Great National Flash Fiction Day - 13-21JUN14
Great National Flash Fiction Day Facebook Flash 2014 - 21JUN14
Edinburgh Book Festival - 15-31AUG14
Paragraph Planet - 15SEP14
Brighton Digital Festival, Geo-Writing - 01SEP14
Great Halloween Facebook Flash - 31OCT14
Paper Swans Flash Fiction Competition #1 2014 - 22APR14
Writing prompt: Any topic, related to the word 'humour'
Result: Not placed
A Rumour of Humour
“Mum!” Vincent slams the front door and drops his school bag.
Gemma pokes her head out from the kitchen, “in here, what’s new?”
Vincent walks in and perches on the edge of the sideboard.
“It’s the Year Nine Talent Show on Friday.”
“What are you planning?”
“A stand-up routine,” Vincent sighs, “I need an opening line.”
“What do you call a fish with no eyes?”
“Mum! Be serious!”
“Knock, knock.”
“Who’s there?”
“Doctor.”
“Mu-um!”
“The old ones are the best.”
“Only to old people,” Vincent taps his fingers against the cupboard door.
Gemma pokes her tongue out, “suit yourself. Do you want help or not?”
“You’re not helping.”
“Try watching ‘Dave’,” Gemma exclaims. “Go on, hop it, I need to put the dinner on.”
“Where’s Dad? He’s funnier than you!”
Friday night, bright lights, hushed audience; Vincent squints, his mind blank.
“W-what d’ya call a fish with no eyes?”
Dayna L Cheser Spring Contest 2014 (1) - 12MAY14
'Alphabet Story' starting with the letter 'D' and continuing with one sentence for each letter through Z and up to C, on any topic.
Result: 1st Place
Julies Problem
“Don’t you think you’re overreacting a little?”
“Everyone knows,” Julie crosses her arms.
“For goodness sake, why do you even care!”
Grandma slides the tray of biscuits into the oven.
“How do you know that everyone knows?”
“I just do!”
“Julie, you are not so important that everyone is focused on you.
“Keep studying and it will work out in the end.”
“Look at this letter!”
“Maybe you should stop looking at it.
No need to torture yourself.”
Opening the fridge, Grandma takes out a bowl of salad.
“Plates and glasses please Julie.”
Quickly, Julie lays the table.
“Really it is up to you what happens next.”
“School will be hell on Monday.”
“Too bad.
Usually people are glad to get a scholarship.”
“Vinny thinks it’s a bad idea to change schools in January.”
“Well, who cares what Vinny thinks, it’s the start of the next term.”
“Xmas holidays are nearly here, so I need to decide.”
“You will do very well whether you move or not, I’m sure.”
“Zombies could do well at my school.”
“All right, but why don’t you forget about it and eat your lunch?”
Blinking back tears, Julie steps over to Grandma.
“Can I have a hug, please?”
Daynal L Cheser Spring Contest 2014 (2) - 12MAY14
'Alphabet Story' starting with the letter 'D' and continuing with one sentence for each letter through Z and up to C, on any topic.
Result: Not Placed
Gilberts' Bike
Destruction followed Gilbert around like a bad smell. Everywhere he went something went wrong. Friday's trip was a prime example.
Gilbert lay on the floor clutching his left arm. He had been cycling into town to the cinema. Instead of stopping at the amber light Gilbert had sped up. Just as he crossed the line a car came through the junction.
"Keep still," the driver instructed Gilbert, as he struggled to sit up.
"Let me go! My arm hurts!"
"No way, stop moving."
"Ow!"
People were gathering round now, asking what had happened.
"Questions can wait. Ring for an ambulance," the driver called out, looking around.
"Stand back and let me through; I'm a doctor."
The doctor felt Gilberts arm. "Ulna and Radius, both broken. Very likely to heal cleanly though."
"What now?"
"X-rays will confirm it. You're lucky it wasn't worse. Zipping up the body bag might have been the best I could do for you if the driver hadn't been so quick."
"All right, I get it, it's my fault."
"Because of you, young man, my car needs a lot of fixing!"
Checking behind him, Gilbert saw that his bike did too.
