What are Your Favorite Entries in the Gather Short Fiction Contest?

The Latino Flash should win of course. It gives a quick glimpse into the writers mind, and leaves us wondering where the next story will take us. It's increcibly difficult to write comedy and have it be interesting at the same time. It's even more difficult when it's clean.

Hi Monica,

I'm new to Gather and have enjoyed reading several of the stories that have been submitted. I found it interesting to see the various writing styles and diverse subjects of these pieces...there are certainly some talented people here. I'm not sure I have read yours yet but will definitely look for it, as well as the ones you've mentioned. Since there are so many entered now it's nice to have a recommendation from a veteran member. Best of luck to you!

Andrew - The Latino Flash was definitely funny amd an enjoyable read - I wish you the best of luck and would definitely recommend your entry! You are a very visual and comical writer, with a voice that transends through your work.

Bonnie - Let me say Welcome to Gather! Read the suggestions here, and then read through the others listed under the gathersf05 tag and make your own recommendations! There are so many entries I really feel for the judges that have to make final decisions!

Bonnie - you didn't mention you had entered! I read your entry and it is great! We may have another contender for the prize! Bonnie Ladick: The Daughter - a story of a daughter desperately seeking the affection and approval of her father. I would definitely recommend your entry Bonnie! Good luck!

Going through the list . . . Another good one - L Sanders Fields: Losing Maggie, Gaining God - listen in on the conversation of a husband with his deceased wife, Maggie. Very touching!

Monica - Thank you so much for your flattering feedback on my story. As I commented back to you, you made my day!!! The reason I didn't mention that I had also entered was that while I've been writing for years, I have rarely shared my work so publically. It's been a little uncomfortable, but now that the ice has been broken perhaps you will hear from me again.

I look forward to hearing more from you Bonnie!

I use a dialect? Stone the crows! You really think so? Crikey, I'd better watch that in future. LOL

Thanks for the plug Sweetiepants! My yarn about poor old Cheryl is one of my old ones but I think, a bit like Bonnie, I just wanted to start breaking the ice here on Gather. Put it out for the dingos and see if they lick it up as it were.

Good luck to all you marvellous writers out there!

Carolyn you crack me up!

Okay folks - I ahve another contender! I really liked this one! George Corneliussen: Fish Stick - imagine a world where secrecy and war planning was impossible - how do you think government would react? Come find out!

Thanks for the plug, Monica! I really appreciate your enthusiasm.

You arewelcome Christin!

My favorite is All One Piece by Anne Spollen. I am
thinking of using that story, with the author's
permission, in my short story class. Reminds
me a little of Flannery O'Connor - at least that
kind of story telling. tradition.

Yes, LP -- that was an interesting story. I am wondering if Anne plans on making it a novel, because it seems that while it is closed for a short story, there is enough there that she could have the makings of a good novel. Here is a link to make it easier for others to read it: All One Piece

The more I read my own submission and the submissions of others the less I think I stand a chance, haha. Night Walking. was written less as something meant to be a flat out horror/suspense story and more like a caught moment of tension. I was experimenting with light...who knows what the judges will think of it.

As a contributer also, (Title: "Refuge", I don't know how to put a link in here) it feels that our stories are lost in the mix, with few comments etc. I have been making a point of trying to read and comment on other submissions. I too think I don't stand a chance now but it's so great to have this space to "play" in! Also, can anyone tell me what the "votes" are next to our articles? Thanks to everyone for all the great reading.

Wendy, I believe the votes are the number of people who rated your article.

For more insight into the rating system, check out Monica's latest article, "Lack of Comments and Ratings Got You Down?" (Sorry, I don't have my cheat sheet handy to make this a hyperlink)

First, I'd like to recommend a short story that did not make it into the contest, but is written by a bright, young, new Gather author worthy of checking out -- go read her short - She Wasn't There Again Today... By Nichole Brenner.

Dawn - I will go check out your story soon! We all feel a little overwhelmed by the talent that has been shown in this contest, but it is fun to share and we can all learn and grow no matter if we win or not. Having fun along the way is as or more important!

Wendy - the votes are from readers who have rated your story on a 1-10 star scale. I don't place a whole lot of weight on that though, for a lot of reasons discussed in the article and comments Bonnie mentioned - Lack of Comments and Ratings Got You Down? Here's the link to your story - I promise to come read it soon! Refuge

I am excited about the contest but realistic that there were lots of great entries! I would be so excited to make it into the final 20 much less anything else, but I will also be excited to have just been a part of it all, if my story doesn't place at all. How is everyone else feeling?

I have genuinely enjoyed the suggested readings from this section and, while I don't pretend that it is among the best, I would appreciate some readership and feedback on my story, Song for Hazy Jane.
Thanks All
-Y.L.D.

Wendy and Dawn both have excellent stories! Well done ladies! Yorgo - I am off to read yours now -- here is a link for everyone -- Song for Hazy Jane

I love it! We all think our stories aren't as good as the others. We are our own best critics and that's what makes all of these stories a pleasure to read.
I agree Monica, we will all take something away from this, win or lose. The most important thing for me has been to have others read and comment on my work, something I have never been brave enough to do. Viva the anonymity of the internet! (at least until my missing confidence is found).

Well, Congrats to those who made the top 20! Per the e-mail they were (minus the links for now):



Birds of a Feather by Denise Minger
-- A heartbreaking story of an 8-year-old boy's special friendship, cut short by the death of his gentle playmate.

Came the Monster by Benny Zadik
-- A dark comedic look at marriage and what happens when the people we know best change into those we barely recognize.

Daddy's Girl by Hanqing Li
-- A Chinese woman returns to her village to care for her ailing father and make peace with her past.

Dark Songs by Meryl Johnson
-- Caught in the middle of divorce, Vera is forced to become more mature, responsible, and selfless than the grownups in her life.

Fishtailing by Georgia McDade
-- Scenes from a woman's troubled marriage flash before her as she and her husband careen toward certain death in their new motor home.

"from God to Texas" by Bobby Ozuna
-- A chance conversation between two lonely marines stationed far from home lends a sense of peace to one of the lost men.

Inconceivable Odds by Rebecca Groff
-- A middle-aged woman's insecurities and suspicions about her husband's fidelity lead to a terrible mistake.

James by Christin Lore Weber
-- A subtle and powerful story of one man's loss of his wife and child.

Missing the Welk Gene by Marcia Tiffany
-- A delightful coming-of-age story with a twist about a young woman torn between her talent for the accordion and desire to fit in.

MISSING YOU by Shoma Chatterji
-- A repressed Indian husband struggles for a lifetime to finally express his love for his wife.

New Mud by Jessica Johannes
-- A young woman pays tribute to her mother's zest for life with an unexpected carefree moment in the park.

Nighthawks by Rebecca Elliott
-- Curious insight into the mind of a stalker.

On Wings of Fire by Riva Pomerantz
-- The suspenseful tale of an Indian woman's choice between freedom, love, and honor.

Parting with Fertilizer by Janet Irvin
-- The lengths one woman will go to in order to create a picture-perfect home and life for her family.

Personal Flotation Device by Maria Szilagyi Wanser
-- Follow one woman's journey of self doubt as she walks the beach waiting for the first date with Mr. Perfect, who she met through a personal ad.

Persona (1966, dir: Ingmar Bergman) by Robert Ham
-- A poisoned relationship finally explodes when Stanley tries to share his favorite movie with his girlfriend Helen.

The Bright-Lights Game Machine by Katherine Gustafson
-- One man's attempt to escape his crazy mother, abusive uncle, and painful past for something bigger and better in Los Angeles.

The Lost Art of Window Shopping by David Bardallis
-- Roger Pratt, an invisible man, runs into trouble when he tries to recreate his happiness with an innovative but disturbing project.

The Spanish Aero Car Operator by Sam Difalco
-- A wild ride through the mind of Aero Car operator Gabe Mouflon during what starts out as just another ordinary day at Whirlpool State Park.

Unlikely Refuge by Lissa Byers
-- A woman shares her childhood memories of the flamboyant characters, myths, and legends in her small town.

I have not read all the top 20 yet, but I have been supporting Christin from the beginning so I am routing for her! I look forward to reading them all!

Good luck to all of the twenty authors chosen!