Fleur 2020-06 - Lavender
And the Winners are ...
Judge's Comments
Lavender grows in a window box at my kitchen window where I get to see it every day, so judging for this particular prompt was a pleasure in more ways than one. Thank you ZenGarden and all the finalists. Writers, you did not disappoint. Your stories surprised me, made me smile, got me excited, and pulled at my heartstrings—all the emotions that good writing should invoke. Keep writing! I need more great stories in my life.
— Sherry Torgent
Diary 1667 – by Susan Dawson – WINNER
It’s impressive when a writer manages to create a story world with so few words. I was immediately transported to 1667 (London, I presume). In five diary entries, the reader gets small glimpses into a man’s life. It was the clever, subtle use of the prompt that got me. Wonderful.
There’s a Story Here Somewhere –by Juma – Finalist Honors
The scene is set as a mystery—an abandoned room and a table set with name cards, china, and lavender bundles. “Something happened here. I must unearth the story.” Seldom am I surprised by an ending. I laughed and followed that with a resounding “Yes!” Clever and Smart.
A Gift From Vincent – by Susan Dawson – Finalist Honors
Art invokes creativity in this historical tale of a child that visits Vincent Van Gogh in the Asylum at Saint-Paul. Delightful.
Catching My Breath – by Juma – Finalist Honors
Arranged marriage, reluctant bride. ” ‘ A perfect husband,’ Papa had pronounced after hearing his pedigree and prospects.” Perfect build-up to the shocking ending. Cute story.
Each Bud Contains a Memory – by Susan Giles – Finalist Honors
Such a beautiful picture of a woman recalling her grandmother’s WWII past as she watches her from the bedroom window. This one tugs at the heartstrings while using lavender as a conduit to connect the past to the present. Lovely.
For Valour – by Julie Evans – Finalist Honors
Several neighbors wonder what grandma uses her lavender for. Quite a few guesses are offered, but the secret is hers. The writer makes a clever connection to the colors used by the women’s suffrage movement. The ending gave me a good chuckle.
Frozen in Time – by Susan Giles – Finalist Honors
The prose in this piece was beautiful. Melodious and soulful. Excellent.
The Purple Lavender Field – by Gillian Makuza – Finalist Honors
I love this line – “That just being in the middle of that purple field was like being in the centre of Eden before the fall of man.” This piece was like a beautiful dream.
Other Finalists:
Chalk, Cheese and Lavender – Sandra James
Grandmother’s Back – by Amy Kim
Summer Dresses – by Joanna Miller
Things Can Change – by Jane Rockwell
The Silent Choice of Matching Lavender Pillow Cases – by Kitty Tricks
Public Voting Winners
Congratulations to all our Public Voting winners!
Welcome to Gillian Makuza and Amy Kim, both new members, and congratulations to one of our favorite writers and long-standing members, Mary Wallace.
We hope all of you will share these great stories with your friends and family, colleagues and coworkers! Reading a floral flash fiction story is a great way to start any day.
Learn more about the contest which inspired these stories:
Fleur 2020-06 Lavender
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