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Watch 2021 the winners read their Flash Fiction stories.
Each took top honors of $250 in Rotary Club of Morgan Hill’s Flash Fiction Writing Contest. The competition drew 152 entries from local residents. Winners were announced at a virtual awards program Jan. 19.
The Flash Fiction contest challenged youth and adults, in separate categories, to create a fiction story in 100 words or less. The flash fiction genre tells big, rich, complex stories, very quickly. The classic example is Ernest Hemingway’s legendary short, “FOR SALE: Baby shoes, never worn.”
First place in the Youth Category was Brooke Ledwith, 12, Martin Murphy Middle School; second place, Cara Wargocki, 13, Jackson Academy of Math & Music; and the three-way tie for third place went to Stephanie Chen, 13, Oakwood School; Samantha Sasaki, 16, Ann Sobrato High School; and My Ahn Thoi, 12, homeschool.
Adult category winners were, first place Chris Lopez, a software engineer; second to Tiffany Bloyer, concierge at an assisted living community; and a two-way tie for third to Edith Ohene-Nyaka, biotech, clinical trials; and Charleene Puder, retired elementary school teacher.
Rotary Club of Morgan Hill served as overall sponsor, with co-sponsors BookSmart bookstore, Morgan Hill Steve Tate Library, Morgan Hill Life newspaper, and Morgan Hill Unified School District.
The independent judging panel were reading or writing experts designated by co-sponsors.
The $500 in top prizes was provided by the Rotary club, while other winners received gift certificates, and all winners received library book bags.
How to Video
Rotary Club of Morgan Hill encourages Santa Clara County residents to join in the fun of writing a work of "flash fiction" -- a fictional short story between six and 100 words in length. Local author Jordan Rosenfeld and Morgan Hill Life/Gilroy Life publisher Marty Cheek discuss the "how to" in this video
Information for Kids
Do you know a person who can tell a story in 100 words or less — one with plot development, characters, and movement? It’s a magical gift that can leave the reader both wanting more and satisfied all in one! Sometimes writers only need 6 words to convey their story, or 50 or 100, where every word carries the weight of the story and moves it forward. Writing is a vital skill in life that will help our youth succeed in academics but also in their future career endeavors. The Rotary Club of Morgan Hill is hosting its first annual Flash Fiction Writing Contest and Morgan Hill Unified School District is proud to support this competition, particularly among the youth in our community. If this is you or a student you know, help us to spread the word! A $250 cash prize will be awarded to the winners of the youth and adult categories. We look forward to reading your submissions!