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With 141 entries submitted to the site, our Through the Window competition must be the most popular to date!

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This didn’t faze Starlight however, who beat off some very stiff opposition to take the top spot with “Farewell.” A beautiful tale of transcending grief and loss. Along with all the other entries, it can be read here, but don’t forget to read our judge’s report first!
http://www.writelink.co.uk/arena_main.php?cat=a_throughthewindow

Judge’s report: by Helen Yendall
You were clearly inspired by this theme: there were 141 entries! Each was read, without reference to the stars or members’ comments and without knowing (until the end), the author’s identity.

I was looking for a ‘compelling piece of fiction’ and one which clearly encompassed the theme of ‘Through the Window’. Some of your window links were slightly tenuous! You also had to tell the story in 100 words maximum including the title. Do read the rules carefully! With so many stories to judge, I had to be fairly ruthless: if you went over the word limit, I’m afraid you were out.
Many entries were brooding and introspective and there were several about death, suicide and murder! Oh, you’re a cheery lot! The stories that made me smile (eg: a talking television, a peeping tom and a Bollinger-swilling vicar), stood out from the crowd and crept further up my list.

I wanted stories that made every word count! Many writers repeated lines or words or didn’t think about the title. Titles are important and I particularly liked the intriguing ‘What Miss Butler Saw’, ‘Georgia Mourning’ and ‘The Troll In the Mirror’.

My shortlist was eventually whittled down to 15 and 4 of those rose to the surface, the more I read them. I just had to decide on the winner. I slept on my decision and in the morning, the same story was still my favourite: ‘FAREWELL’ by starlight. It’s a beautifully- written, magical and uplifting story about love, loss and hope, which created pictures in my mind long after I’d read it. Quite a feat in just 100 words, so well done to a worthy winner!
Others that almost made it to the top of the pile, were ‘Yellow Flowers’ by Wordmate – a spooky and well-crafted tale, which encompassed the ‘window’ theme perfectly, ‘Going Back’ by spirit - a poignant ‘what if?’ story about a priest and ‘Village Green’ by nicolacleasby - one of the few entries set in the past, which has a spine-tingling last line!

Well done to all of those writers and to every one who took part in the competition!

YULE SING ME ONE SONG OPEN
Our next Arena competition is a lyrics contest for a festive song. Check out the details here:
http://www.writelink.co.uk/arena_main.php?cat=a_yulesingmeonesong