Fleur 2020-07 - Honeysuckle

And the Winners Are ...

Judge's Comments

The stories this month brought with them the luscious scent of honeysuckle. It’s clear that this very special flower, more than most, entrances us with fragrance, creating or bringing back the memories of summer beauty and love and freedom. Our writers conjured up stories of love remembered or requited, happiness attained or recalled, all from the unforgettable experience of the scent (and sometimes taste) of honeysuckle.

Thanks to all our writers! Please keep sending us your best!

Regina Higgins

Honeysuckle Dreams – by Sandra James – WINNER

The winning story deftly weaves intriguing parallel narratives of grandmother and granddaughter, an extraordinary accomplishment in only 350 words. The inevitable intersection is powerful, and the resolution combines the honeysuckle with hope for new beginning. Inspired use of the prompt in this story!

Finalist Honors

Coming Out – by Tejal Doshi

In this story by a very talented high school writer, deep breaths of anxiety are soothed by the scent of honeysuckle at the moment of a personal revelation. Excellent use of the flower, especially its enduring power—“Its scent sends a shiver of the memory through me.”

Honey Jewel – by Ingrid Fournier

A well-crafted story of a summer day with young friends celebrating freedom just before the beginning of middle school. Powerful use of the scent and taste of honeysuckle as a kind of sacrament of friendship at childhood’s end.

Woodbine at Dusk – by Tiffany H White

A beautiful celebration of folklore, science, and love, with honeysuckle at its center. Beautiful, evocative language. “My grandfather is woodbine at dusk. I breathe the fragrance of summer five decades past and he is with me  . . . “

Act Two  – by Juma

Skillful use of the honeysuckle theme in its literary context.  This fine mini-drama consists mostly of dialogue, with an ending that surprises. A stand-out.

Other Finalists

Rubenesque – by Susan Dawson

Breaking Point – by Juma

Honeysuckle Hope – by Sandra James

Never Truly Gone – by Kim Tennison

The Wanton Bride – by Julie Evans

Congratulations to all our Public Voting winners!  Two of our long-time members won first and second place, and a wonderful new member took the third place prize.  Congratulations to Tejal Doshi, Ingrid Fournier and Tif Harding!
We hope you will share these stories with friends and family, colleagues and coworkers.  Writers need readers – let’s get the world reading our stories!

Learn more about the contest which inspired this story:  Fleur 2020-07 Honeysuckle

Voting Countdown:

Each shortlisted story this month is like a jewel – some quiet and reflective, some humorous, some poignant and wistful – but all filled with the beauty of being human.  You writers have outdone yourselves, yet again.
We hope you will enjoy reading each of the shortlisted stories from our “Honeysuckle” contest, and that you will tell your friends and family about ZenGarden.club.  Stories like these can help us all make it through a world that is challenging, sometimes frightening, and perhaps not what we had envisioned!  Our heartfelt thanks to all of you for your talent, your commitment to the written world, and the beauty of your minds.
Total entries:  38
Total shortlisted:  23
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