As a writer, putting your work in the public domain can feel daunting and nerve-wracking. Entering competitions is no mean feat therefore. Which is why we are delighted that one of our students, budding writer Jack Chapman, not only entered a recent creative writing competition, but went on to win it!
The brief for the competition was to write up to 250 words on any theme of your choosing. This broad remit gave lots of scope, and in the end Jack settled on writing the opening of a narrative based at Cannamore Farm. 250 words is not many, yet Jack managed to build an air of suspense and menace in just a few lines, creating a truly suspenseful piece. Jack gave a reading of his winning piece at Cannamore and it will be published in the next edition of the Kingsbridge Post.
And here is Jack’s entry in full, published with Jack’s permission:
Cannamore Farm
A few miles south of Dartmoor, Cannamore Farm rests peacefully in the valley below. The sun shines brightly, lighting up the landscape, and chasing away any shade the animals so desperately crave. The air is still and calm; a slight breeze occasionally makes the leaves on the trees rustle and twitch, before they fall back into their original position.
Soon the cows tire of the heat and retreat under what little shade remains, their tails constantly flicking to keep the flies at bay. The heat slowly begins to increase as the sun looms directly over the picturesque scene. The animals quickly vanish into the underbrush, as the cows bellow heavily, signalling someone’s arrival. On the bleak, dusty stone drive, which lay directly next to the field, two figures emerge. They walk, almost in unison, as they round the corner onto the dusty path.
They walk quickly, with their arms loose and their shoulders desperately trying to keep them in place. Suddenly one figure begins to quicken their pace, as the other falls into a slow jog trying to keep up. The figure in front is a woman, wearing dark, linen trousers and a large straw hat. She has heavily defined cheekbones and her eyes are constantly on the move. The second figure on the other hand is a short, stocky man with pale eyes and a grim expression. As he catches her up, his expression darkens and his fingers move excitedly.
‘You ready?’ he says.
‘Always,’ she replies.
