Competition Winners and Diarmid MacArthur’s Feedback
Unfortunately, Diarmid was unable to attend our competition adjudication but he did offer some invaluable feedback for our first competition on ‘Scottish Crime Writing’. As a crime writer himself, Diarmid kindly provided detailed feedback for our members and praised the standard of entries. He said:
‘It has been both a privilege and a pleasure to be asked to judge this short story competition. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading all your stories, with their different styles, intriguing protagonists, cunning plots and surprising ‘twists in the tale’.’
Our Winners:
1st Place – Stacey with ‘The Dancing Watch’
2nd Place – Margaret with ‘Shock to the System’
3rd Place Helen with ‘The Tourist Trap’
With Frankie’s ‘petty’ crime story ‘Strait Jacket’ also being highly commended! A terrific success and thank you to all those who entered. Please do remember that our competitions secretary, Tosca, has offered a wee incentive for those who enter ALL the competitions this year so please do get your entries in!
Lee Jeans Documentary
Previously, the Greenock Writers’ Club has been involved with local writer Danny Macahon in a documentary about the Larkfield Lee Jeans factory in which workers initiated a sit-in to save their jobs. The collective action was radical, militant and, ultimately, victorious as a result of the workers who opposed the decision-making of multinational corporations. Interspersed with dramatisation, members offered their writing expertise to re-create the sense of frustration and reality of these workers’ lives.
The club was treated to a showing of the documentary and, after a few technical glitches, we were taken by the interviews from the women who participated in the sit-in and who recounted the stalwart dedication of the working classes leading grassroots change. A brilliant documentary and an important piece of local history!
On the Spot Humour/Characters with Paul Kelly
After our documentary screening, Paul offered a terrific session on humour and character. Paul highlighted that the best humour is often born from real life and that the pendulum swings from tragedy to comedy. As Paul said, the best bits are in the middle somewhere and it can be anything from misheard song lyrics to stories from the shipyards.
Members were in hysterics hearing Paul’s recollections of colourful characters from his past (many stories which will have to remain censored!) and we were reminded that often the banality of life can actually be highly entertaining. From family to neighbours, and from malapropisms to addiction; comedy exists in many forms both tragic and hilarious. Thank you, Paul for such an engaging session!
We look forward to our final session of the year next week – please do bring a wrapped book for a Christmas book swap and a wee piece of festive writing!