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CHRISTMAS CHILLERS 2008
Adjudicator’s report by Lorraine Mace
I last judged the Christmas Chillers for Writelink in 2005 and have to say the standard of writing
this year is very much higher than I remember it being back then, but one problem still persists and that is a lack of originality when it comes to dealing with a set theme.
So many of the shortlisted entries sent to me for judging followed the same thought process. The
dolls were haunted and/or evil and only came out on Christmas day. When a competition is themed, and you’re given an opening line, it is a good idea to write down the first half a dozen ideas that come
into your head. Study the list carefully so that you can remember every one – and then throw the list away because nearly everyone else will have come up with the same initial ideas. It’s only after
you’ve exhausted the obvious that the original arrives.
So, when I chose my own personal shortlist I looked for something different. I tried to find stories
where the author had used the theme and/or opening line in an original or slightly different way to the others.
First place went to Voices in the Night – this was my final choice as winner purely and simply because it was a well-written story with considerable originality in use of theme and the way the opening line led into something different. An old man in this story is about to die and wants to discuss with his son something that has troubled him since his own childhood. The son is dismissive of his father’s concerns and it is only at the end, when it is probably too late, that he realises his own child is in danger.
Second was The Interview – I enjoyed this very much indeed. The simplicity of the story telling made it a delight to read and had it been just a little creepier I might have pushed it into first place.
Third was A Present for Mungo – I liked the way the author turned the proposed victim into the aggressor. The fear factor dipped just a touch because the storyline and twist was a little predictable, but the author still handled the ending very well.
My three Highly Commended picks were: Living Doll, Soldier, Soldier and A Christmas Wish – all three of these were very close to making it through to the winners’ spots.
Commended: Vessel for Vengeance and Fractured
Unfortunately, in too many of the stories, there were punctuation errors, commas and full stops in
the wrong place or missing apostrophes. An ellipsis is only three dots, no more and no less. I suggest reading your story out loud, as this will help you to pick up on punctuation problems.
It is very sad when a good story doesn’t make it through to the final three because the author hasn’t
conducted a thorough proofread prior to submission. If grammar is not a strong point, it’s always worth asking someone else to read your work.
Apart from the nitpicks of poor punctuation and
grammar, I have to say I enjoyed all of the stories. Some were better than others, but each and every one was worthy of being shortlisted and my job of choosing the final selection was very difficult
indeed.
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