We were back in the Kilpatrick suite for 8.50 the next morning waiting to hear more results.
The Janetta Bowie Chalice is presented to the best first 10,000 to 15,000 words of a book of non-fiction plus synopsis. This is only awarded every second year and there were 10 entries. Ayr Club started Saturday off with a bang as Uuganaa Ramsay won this trophy. We all applauded wildly but Uuganaa missed the big announcement. She was coming as a day delegate and didn’t make it until the coffee break.
The poetry competition results were next. Of course, we already knew Marion had won but the 2nd, 3rd and commended had still to be announced, followed by Marion reading her prize winning entry.
The General Short Story was looking for a piece between 2,500 and 3,000 words. There were 44 entries and though no-one from Ayr Writers was successful, it was adjudicated by club member, Catherine Czerkawska.
Then we came to the Flash Fiction with a maximum word count of 250. There were 52 entries and 2 successes for Ayr. Lorraine Johnston came 3rd and Ann Burnett was 1st. Ann read out her twist in the tail.
The Fantasy Story should be between 1,500 and 1,600 words and can include stories in science fiction, heroic fantasy or horror. There were 19 entries in this category.
And, finally, in this section we had the Humorous Article – a work of humorous prose which must not be a short story written in 1,000 to 1,500 words. There were 32 entries and Maggie Bolton came 3rd.
At 10.40, we stopped for a coffee break and to congratulate Uuganaa who had just arrived. Ten minutes later we were back on the edge of our chairs waiting for yet more results.
Eastwood Salver for Unpublished Author was next. The piece of writing alternates between fiction and non-fiction and is only open to writers who have not received payment at the going rate for their work. This year SAW was looking for a short story between 1,500 and 2,000 words and there were 24 entries.
The General Article was between 1,000 and 1,500 words and there were 53 entries. Wilma Scott was awarded a commended. You will recognise the article; it was inspired by Ann’s Challenge set at the beginning of the year.
The Writers’ News Trophy – writing a maximum of 750 words suitable for the under sevens – saw 36 entries. Dorothy Gallagher had some good news to cheer her up; she was commended for her story which had previously come first in the club competition.
The Woman’s Short Story – maximum 2,000 words aimed at a woman’s magazine – attracted 47 entries. I had another ‘falling off chair’ moment as Janice Johnston was announced in 1st place.
The final competition was Castles in the Air with the theme, ‘Glory Days’ – 2,000 to 2,500 words of prose fiction, open to any interpretation of the phrase. There were 19 entries. Ann Burnett topped off the club’s successes by being awarded 3rd place.
Lunch was a big celebration for Ayr Writers’ Club.
From 2.10 till 3pm we scattered to five different workshop/seminars.
1. Writing to be Published – Cathy McPhail
2. Humorous Writing – David McVey
3. Drama – Ann MacLaren
4. Poetry for Today – Sheila Templeton
5. Writing for Women’s Magazines – Joyce Begg
A quick get together for coffee and to compare notes before we rushed off to our choice from the next group of workshop/seminars from 3.40 to 4.30pm
1. Short Story Writing – Catherine Czerkawska
2. Novel Construction – Katie Grant
3. Develop Club Programmes – Marc Sherland
4. Writing for Children – Betty McKay
And then we had some free time – a whole 90 minutes to blether, hit the bar, or lie down in a darkened room to recharge the batteries – before dinner at 6pm.
The prize giving ceremony began at 8pm when the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize winners were presented with their trophies and certificates by Alanna Knight.
The evening speaker was Joyce Holms – a wickedly funny woman. I could have listened to her all night.
After the drawing of the raffle prizes some people might have been tempted to turn in for the night, but that would have meant missing the Shimmer Disco downstairs or the Poetry Penthouse on the fifth floor. Rumour has it that Joan and Dorrith – our two oldest members – left the poetry event at midnight to head down to the disco.
And there was still another day to go.
Janice Johnston