SHORT STORY WINNER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 54, 5 March 1943, Page 5

SHORT STORY WINNER

The winner of the February short story competition is Dawn Stephens, Takapuna, whose effort, "The Tuatara Lizard's Discovery," is published to-day. This is a delightful tale with a most novel theme. It reveals an individual turn of thought on the part of the writer as well as an- ability to find interesting material in familiar surroundings, and these are qualities we try to encourage. The runners-up are Lesley Thompson, Mount Albert (12), whose story, "Moonlight Magic," was an imaginative one with a delicately-captured atmosphere; and Brian Fisher, Papatoetoe, who sent in an amusing tale with a clever "twist" in the plot called "The Slogan Spell." It is good to see a boy's name again in the list of prize-winners. In quite a different category from any story we have received for a long time was "The Biter Bit," by Beth. Millard, Raurimu (13). It had an ingenious plot for a young writer (if an improbable one) and was written with an almost satirical touch. It will certainly see print.

We are sorry that the other stories were not of a high enough standard for publication, but wish the writers better luck next time. Don't be discouraged because you are unsuccessful the first two or three times. This advice is specially meant for the younger children, who must remember that they are competing against older boys and girls. .If they "practice to make perfect," the day when they have a story published will come all the quicker. If any of these unsuccessful contributors would like a criticism of their work, they may write in for one. Young Writers, Please Note! The March competition is now open to all boys and girls under 18, and the best original short story received by the 30th of the month will receive a half-crown prize. Limit your story to 600 words or less, write on one side of the paper only, and post to Peter Pan, c/o Star Office, Shortland Street, Auckland, C.l. Stories must be your own work, not something you have copied or been told. If you would like a criticism of your work, you may ask for it.