This year’s 100 Word Story Competition again demonstrated the talent amongst our young writers. 351 students from First Story partner schools wrote brilliant stories, taking on the challenge of writing a compelling narrative in only 100 words.
Judged by a panel from Vintage Books, the stories were an impressive mix of theme and subject. We are delighted to be able to share our winners and special mentions below.
Huge congratulations to all the young writers who took part. First, second and third place winners will receive a Vintage book bundle, notebook, certificate, and a framed copy of their story; their school will receive A3 posters of the story to display. All Highly Commended entrants will receive a book bundle and certificate.
First Place
Mission accomplished by Charlie Oates, Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent
Nose piercing through the dense, smokey grey clouds. Wind rushing, howling over outstretched wings as the aircraft approaches the designated target, ready to drop its payload. A descent in altitude enables a clearer view of the unsuspecting world below. The bomb bay doors open, releasing its guts, pelting vehicles below with white bombs. Losing extra weight, velocity increases. Radar seekers sense the mission objective. With a tilt of its wing, flight course alters. Target locked. Pupils dilate. Heart rate increases. The subject oblivious to the carnage about to occur. Swoop. Chips stolen. Meal acquired. Mission accomplished. “Stupid seagull!”.
This story was brilliantly crafted, delivering that short, sharp jolt of surprise that makes a short story really excellent – a feat that is especially hard to achieve in so few words. Wonderful.
Judges
Second Place
The Sky by Ahmed Naqel, Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent
The sky groaned under the weight of the world. It held the stars, the clouds, the dreams of those who dared to look up. It carried the sun’s fire, the moon’s quiet glow, and the endless dance of wind and storm. Below, the earth leaned on it, trusting, unthinking. But the sky was tired. One day, it wondered – what if it let go? Would the stars tumble, the clouds scatter, the world collapse? It wavered for just a moment. But then a child laughed, pointing at the sky in wonder. The sky sighed and held on a little longer.
This story utilised an unexpected perspective to tell a truly novel tale, with the writer building up and then releasing tension expertly. The enchanting, dream-like language made this piece a joy to read.
Judges
Third Place
Like It Was Once by Sara Alexandra Madan, Holland Park School
The girl stares at me and points out everything she thinks is wrong with herself. Her skin, hair, stomach, legs, height, nose. She wishes she could go back to the time when she never really thought anything was out of place, before the social media and the comments and the worries, when she didn’t diminish herself or pretend that someone else’s beauty took away her own. And I wish I could take her there, and tell her that I see beneath that, and that she’s destined for greater things than the symmetry of the reflection she sees in the mirror.
Highly Commended
Nanan by Kaylee Adnett, John Spendluffe Technology College
I didn’t realise that I would slowly start to forget her voice, her South London accent dragging after every word she says. I didn’t know I would miss her shouting even if it ended in me shaking with tears. I didn’t realise I would miss her doing her makeup, her old brush gliding across her wrinkled skin. I didn’t know that I would miss sitting next to her even if we didn’t say a word. I didn’t know that the doctors weren’t doing anything to help her.
I didn’t realise how much I would miss her after she’s gone.
Trapped by Tiliyah Ellis-Carr, Skinners’ Academy
My hand trembles as I pour a drink, I keep eye contact not looking away, not spilling a drop. I examine him carefully watching every breathe, every blink, every slight movement making sure he doesn’t try anything. Eventually the glass fills, and I pass it to him. He grabs the glass of liquor and smirks as he tips his hat. His old fragile hand reaches inside of his pocket and pulls out some change. As he starts to walk off, he stops, turns and says, “See you tonight.” I try to call for help but can’t.
Not without consequences.
Ruby Hemsley, The Bulwell Academy
The lights blur into one, fading in and out of view, my mind tranquil, resting softly against the chair. I trace the raindrops on the window, watching them race down into the abyss, a natural thing that is simple yet so beautiful to witness. My headphones blast, the music loud but familiar to my ears and putting me at ease as my journey continues. It is these moments that I live for, when the world becomes my only friend and lets me live my life how I have always wished to, even if it’s just for those few short minutes.
Stabs and Jabs by Joshua Higginson, John Spendluffe Technology College
I feel the spikes of their boots and flags as they climb to my peak. I cry and weep, tears of snow rolling down my rock face. The spikes of their boots jabbing me, axes hitting into my face. Just to conquer me, Everest. Why me? They hide in any crags and crevices seeking shelter, lighting fires that chill me to the core. My voice can’t reach them. My cries don’t push them out, they simply remain and chill me further. And their whiney fretful voices complain that I’m the bad one? Am I the bad one?
The Paintbrush by Ava Kirkup, Longcroft School and Sixth Form College
In the corner of an old art gallery, airless and deserted, on a paint smeared worktop, lies a paintbrush. Its bristles are worn and frustrated – it wishes it could allow its imagination to run free on a blank canvas once again.
It’s handle is tired and splintery, from all the excited hands that once grasped it. Lonely and forgotten, the paintbrush sulks, encircled by a never-ending dullness.
But then, out of the dark comes a bundle of eager fingers, like a long-lost gift returning. The hand grabs the paintbrush.
Across the canvas the paintbrush dances, fulfilling its dreams once again.
We’d like to thank everyone who entered, along with the teachers, writers and Vintage who supported the competition.
Young Creatives Collective