When the Rodeo came to town, Rough Writers from around the world answered the call. You came, you sat in the saddle, you rode the bull, and you joined the parade.
Most important, you were inspired by our wonderful friend, Sue Vincent. Sue has been battling terminal cancer, and we’re thrilled that she is around to see the winners (though I admit I cheated and let her know the top winner a little early). Participants were allowed and encouraged to donate to help Sue and her family, but we believe the photo she provided as the prompt was worthy of any prize. Her photo prompted 63 wonderful 99 word stories and 99 syllable poems; if the average picture is worth 1,000 words, then we can be certain her prompt is way above average!
When speaking with Sue following the contest, we learned that everything YOU have done has been an immense help. You’ve helped Sue get essential equipment – such as a wheelchair – that has helped her in these days. As she continues to blog, like an absolute hero, the donations and help you’ve given through the Rodeo has given her the comfort and items she needs to keep going. Her family has also seen how important she is in the online community, which is something that can often seem mysterious and vague to people not directly involved. Ultimately, everyone who participated gets the big prize: you did something amazing, and you stepped up to the plate. The quality of your love, kindness, and creativity has made way for great things.
Even at the very first step, all the judges recognized the quality of the entries. We wish everyone could win the prizes ($100 grand prize, books for the runners up), but TUFF calls were made and we at last have our decision. Common themes judges picked out was “home” and “family”, which I think is fitting of the image.
These entries were checked by H.R.R. Gorman for word or syllable count, anonymized, and sent out to the first set of judges: D. Avery, Sue Spitulnik, and Sherri Matthews. The top fifteen entries were then passed to our second set of judges, and they had the job of choosing the top entries. From there, we determined…
WINNING ENTRIES
Judges Anne Goodwin, Geoff Le Pard, and Charli Mills met to discuss the peer-reviewed finalists on Zoom. Each winning story had a beginning, middle, and end. Each poem had a theme, movement, and rhythm. The judges discussed how 99-word stories and 99-syllable poems have the capacity to go beyond setting and imagery about a photo prompt. What stood out were stories and poems that not only felt complete or thematic but also held elements of surprise, whether irony, humor, or use of language. Ultimately, judges agreed on the ranking for the top three placing stories and each selected a personal favorite.
THIRD PLACE: Mornful Song
by Chel Owens
Warm, the scent of yesteryears; A smile escapes her scowl As hushing rushing heatherings Dance ‘gainst the moorish howl. Warming scent Hush rush Dance moor howl A curlew calls his neighbors near They answer, happily A song of sunshined solitude Surrounds her, willingly Curlew’s call Sun shine Will ing ly Aloft, then, flies the feathered throng, No longer bound by fears. Aloft, she soars; leaves life behind - Behind, with yesteryears.
Judges’ Comments: Of all the finalist poems, judges appreciated this one best for going beyond descriptive imagery of the photo. The language is lush and rhythmic, and the poet used the syllables, “sun shine” and “will ing ly” as a bird’s call. Judges hesitated over the title – either it was a play on words for morning or a typo. Given the play with words and sounds within judges decided the title was clever.
SECOND PLACE: A Home, Someday
by Chel Owens
My grandma told of wondrous things: tall poles with whispering green papers; rock mounds a person could never climb; and cold, white flakes that sparkled in moonlight. I used to sit, mouth and eyes full wide, trying to see what her silent eyes remembered. I saved her words; soaked them up. Now, while my own grandchildren lean against the thick portholes of our transport ship and gaze at distant nothing, I tell Grandma’s memories. I tell of evergreens and mountains. Of snow. I tell them of the home we left in search of another. For their own grandchildren. Someday.
Judges’ Comments: Judges noticed the unusual descriptions of evergreens, mountains, and snow as if the narrator and audience do not know these objects. This concept thrust the piece into the realm of story beyond a setting. The story structure narrows until the reader is left with a single word, “Someday.” It blends hope with despair for the plight of this uprooted family. The last sentence in the first paragraph caused some confusion regarding the narrative view. The judges agreed it could be a stronger story without that sentence. Overall, it remained memorable.
FIRST PLACE: Seeking Peace
by Norah Colvin
They stopped on a verge overlooking the valley. “It’s beautiful, Dad. And so big. You said it was small.” “Not small in size, son. Small in mind.” “What’s that mean?” “Folks round here didn’t want your mum and me getting married. They threatened to keep us apart. Cruel words were spoken. We left and never returned.” “Why’re we coming back?” “Your mother asked us — to make peace. Before it’s too late.” “Like it is for her?” His voice trembled. “Yeah.” He rubbed the boy’s head. “Will we?” “We’ll know soon enough.” He inched the car towards the village.
Judges’ Comments: This author nailed a response to a photo challenge with the opening line, taking the reader from photo to story with an economy of words. This is a smart strategy when you only have 99 words or 99 syllables. We step out of the image into the lives of a father and son. The dialog is clear, sharp, and tells the story of loss and hopeful redemption. The judges appreciated a place not small in size but small in mind. That single concept conveys much. A well-crafted story with emotion and purpose takes ownership of the photo.
JUDGES’ PICKS
ANNE’S PICK: A New Day Dawns
by Colleen Chesebro
snowy crags pay homage to the land spirits, Landvættir—guardians of the terra firma earth, air, fire, and water jointly bound as one where the ley lines converge strength and energy exist in a parallel space, winter-worn bronzed leaves on barren trees watchers of the truth birth, life, death, and rebirth, earth magic abounds reflected in the adumbrate clouds of spring for keepers of the land another day dawns
The elemental imagery pulled Anne into this peaceful poem about the circle of life. Although not normally drawn to the spiritual, she liked the prioritisation of landscape over people. She hadn’t heard of Landvættir, although guessed it was Icelandic, but that didn’t spoil her pleasure. She liked the simple language and thus queried the use of ‘adumbrate’ in this context.
GEOFF’S PICK: No Place Like Home
by Willow Willers
They had spent the last five years searching for the perfect place to settle. Travelling to several planets and even one other galaxy but nothing suited. So their hearts lifted at the sight of the valley. The elders raised their hands pronoucing "This is the perfect place, protected by mountains with it’s own water supply. Even a few remaining buildings." A voice from the back chirped up.. "That’s where we started from, I can see my house" There was hush, a sharp intake of breath. "As we have always said" their elders smiled. "There is no place like home"
Geoff appreciated the author’s humour, a challenge in a 99 piece where a story has to be crafted, too. The sweep of the story, travelling galaxies before finding their new resting place was nicely done as was the punchline. Geoff felt the ending could perhaps have been tighter had the piece finished at ‘I can see my house’. And the unfortunate typo of ‘it’s’ rather than ‘its’ in the second paragraph lost the piece points in the eyes of the others, leading to it missing being placed. It emphasised the importance of checking your work, especially in small pieces. But overall, well done.
CHARLI’S PICK: Wind and the Wilderness
by Chengir
“I’m hungry and hate this kind of weather,” Radess complained bitterly. “Are you kidding?” Boydann protested, “This is the best. The leaves have begun to fall and now there is less to hide behind. You just have to be patient.” Radess wasn’t convinced. “Like that hunter who shot at us last year?” “Okay, there was that.” Sighing, Radess twisted his head. “Still, the only way to eat is to hunt.” “True enough,” Boydann answered. The two vultures spread their enormous wings and slowly lifted themselves into the wind. They floated on the buoyant currents of air. . . and they waited.
The vultures got to Charli. Despite the technicality that vultures are scavengers, Charli delighted in the element of surprise. She also appreciated that this story stepped into the photo rather than describe it. She could see them spreading their wings within the image. She forgave the author the use of an adverb in the opening sentence. Humor, pacing of dialog, and story made this one worth noting.
Sue Vincent
Sue has been an inspiration in this little corner of the internet and in the Silent Eye school of myth and mysticism. She’s a kind, wonderful person who has opened many people’s hearts and minds to mystery, fun, and beauty. For years she has contributed a haiku almost every day at midnight, and many people love and enjoy them.
Sue is a poet, photographer, and wordsmith who you can find on her blogs The Daily Echo and/or France & Vincent. Take a look at her blog, if you will – you’ll be sure to find something to entertain you. She (and her compatriot, Stuart France) has published several books, which you can examine here.
If you want to know more about Sue’s battle with cancer, the team here at the rodeo encourages you to see a couple of her posts, especially this one and this one.
We hope you had a good time with the Rodeo, Sue, and we wish you luck on your adventure. We’ll miss you for sure, and we thank you for your work, your legacy, and your heart.
The Judges
ANNE GOODWIN is the author of two novels and a short story collection. Her next novel, Matilda Windsor Is Coming Home, is scheduled for publication in May 2021. A former clinical psychologist, Anne is also a book blogger with a particular interest in fictional therapists.
Website: annegoodwin.weebly.com
GEOFF LE PARD started writing to entertain in 2006. He hasn’t left his keyboard since. When he’s not churning out novels, he writes some maudlin self-indulgent poetry, short fiction and blogs at geofflepard.com. He walks the dog for mutual inspiration and most of his best ideas come out of these strolls. He also cooks with passion if not precision.
CHARLI MILLS, lead buckaroo at Carrot Ranch Literary Community, completes her MFA in May 2021. She writes 99-word stories weekly and uses the format to teach storytelling to combat veterans, researchers, and rural entrepreneurs.
D. AVERY plays with words, sculpting stories and poems, at Shiftnshake.
SHERRI MATTHEWS is a non-fiction writer with published articles in magazines and anthologies. She blogs at A View From My Summerhouse and at her memoir column at Carrot Ranch, an international online literary community. A keen walker and photographer from the UK, Sherri raised her family in California for twenty years. Her work in the legal and medical fields came in handy for her caring and advocacy role as Mum to an adult child with Asperger’s Syndrome. Today, Sherri lives not too far from the sea in England’s West Country, hard at work on edits of her debut memoir. Writing stories from yesterday, making sense of today, giving hope for tomorrow.
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/aviewfrommysummerhouse
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WriterSherri
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/sherri-matthews/60/798/aa3
SUE SPITULNIK writes about veterans’ and spouses’ issues on her blog.
H.R.R. GORMAN is a PhD chemical engineer with expertise in biotechnology and making drugs. If you want to know more about this white-trash-turned-excessively-bourgeois maniac, you can go to https://hrrgorman.wordpress.com/.
Read the entire Collection here.
Congratulations to all. And to all participants! Good reading and a little financial support for Sue, as intended. ❤❤🐎❤
It was a great ride, indeed!
Great selections…well done one and all…
Congratulations to all! 😊🦋💜🌼
Congratulations Everyone!
OMG! I can’t believe I won. Am I dreaming? So many wonderful writers and so many wonderful stories and poems. Thank you to the judges and congratulations to all the contestants. Like responses to any of Charli’s prompts, responses to this photo prompt of Sue’s are all unique and special in their own way. I had thought this was my first response to a photo prompt until Anne Goodwin reminded me that I had responded to one of Geoff’s Le Pard’s some years ago. It was nothing like this one of Sue’s though.
I’m so pleased that this contest has assisted Sue in so many ways, perhaps a small return on the ways in which she is a constant support for others.
I am so stoked for you, Norah! Great story!!
Thank you, Chelsea. Congratulations on your places – two places! How excellent is that! I was especially moved by your poem. It’s filled with so much emotion and the senses are stirred as she moves onto the next part of her journey.
❤ Thank you. It was very difficult to write.
It shows a depth of thought and creativity. I really like it.
Well done, Norah – you are a champion!!! I love your work! 🙂
Thank you, Robin. 🙂
Yes, I remembered that conversation when Charli revealed (to the judges) who the winners were. So pleased for you. We loved your story.
Thank you, Anne. I can’t say I was very confident when I submitted it. I am totally surprised and over the moon to have mine selected from so many excellent stories and poems.
Your story was fantastic, Norah! The fact it was your second photo prompt is impressive, too!
Thank you so much. I still feel very elated.
Many congratulations, Norah. Your piece of flash fiction has depth, emotion and is very entertaining. I especially love the last line about inching towards the village. The dialogue between father and son is sharp, distinct and powerful.
Thank you for your lovel review of my story, Hugh. Appreciated.
Congratulations, Norah… your story brought tears to my eyes. Those are the best kind. <3
Thank you so much, Colleen. I really appreciate your comment. 💖
Well deserved, Norah. ❤️
Thank you, Colleen.
You’re so welcome. ❤️
Congrats, Norah. A well-deserved win.
Thank you so much. I still can’t believe it.
I couldn’t wait to see your reaction when you found out, Norah! Congratulations on a well-deserved win.
You wouldn’t have believed what you saw, Charli. My jaw dropped and I just sat in my chair repeating, ‘OMG, I can’t believe it!’ I still can’t. It has really given me a much needed boost at the moment. I received three rejections for picture book manuscripts in the previous two weeks. The rejections are better than never hearing and wondering though. 🙂 But winning this contest, which I never thought possible, was like a shot out of the blue.
Ugh, publishing requires so much networking.
But this? This was definitely real. No one but me (and a couple stories got pegged during the first round, but they were given to alternative judges) knew who wrote what. It was blind, and thus fair. *that’s how you find quality*. You earned it!
Thank you so much. I’m still over the moon. 🙂
Huge congratulations, Norah, I was over the moon to see your entry was chosen as the winner. What a fantastic boost for you at the perfect time. I am so sorry about your rejections in the same two weeks. I felt like that last year when smack-bang in the middle of our first lockdown (and here we all are, a year later…) when I got a handful of agent rejections for my memoir after a long wait to hear. No matter which way we look at it, it is tough and demoralising. But we get back up and keep pressing in, and when something like this happens, it’s massive. I recently got placed in a contest, not a winner, but just to have a special mention has given me such a lift. I loved your story. You are a wonderful writer, Norah. The sharp and defined story told through dialogue is powerful and succinct. It captured Sue’s glorious photo perfectly. Wish I could give you a congratulatory hug!! SMAG!! <3
Haha, has it sunk in yet? 😉 Just stopping by and replying to stuff, so I thought I’d make sure you’d remembered to breathe, lol.
I think it has. But I’m still amazed. It was so unexpected. Thank you. 🙂
Reblogged this on Norah Colvin and commented:
The results of the Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic are out. You’ll never guess who won. You’ll have to pop over to see.
Congratulations to you, Norah, for being the winner of the contest. Your story is very touching! <3
Thank you, Miriam. I can’t believe it’s true. It’s the last thing I would have expected.
You did well, Norah. You deserved it.
Thank you again, Miriam.
I’m so excited! I never win anything! Yay, Norah! Thanks to all the amazing people who helped with this contest and who entered it. I hope we were able to spread the word for Sue. ❤
Congratulations, Chelsea. You did so well with both your pieces. When I scrolled down below your two, I expected to see a third, a winner, from you. I couldn’t believe it when I saw my name. I certainly didn’t expect or even hope to place in this contest. I was just happy to enter. After reading your poem, I fully thought I had no chance. Your poem just blew me away.
That’s very kind of you, but yours is definitely worthy of the win. (And I couldn’t have swept the contest. Besides my not being that skilled, we were only allowed two entries…)
Lucky for me, otherwise you may have made a clean sweep. 🙂
I suspect the judges’ conversation went more like, “Well, Norah is the clear winner; that’s obvious. So, the real problem is choosing which of these we were somewhat fond of as second place. I suppose we’ll *have* to select a poem. *sigh* May as well be this one…”
I wasn’t in that zoom chat, but I am privy to all the shouting and bloodletting. Was a fight to the very end!
😀 Good thing it was over Zoom!
Yeah, and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t recorded. Too sordid for public eyes, I’m afraid.=P
Sure, Chelsea. Is that you 99 word flash fiction for this week?
😀 Maybe
Three entries would have been cheating, Norah! =P We’re better than letting that sort of infraction slide, lol.
I’d forgotten about the 2 story rule. I’m pleased it existed. 🙂
You’ll have to change your cv, Chel, you’re a winner now. Congratulations on TWO fine entries.
Two is incredible. 🙂
Actually, this *does* count as a real contest for CVs, I think, because it had such a prize.
❤ Thanks, Anne. I guess I will!
The poem you wrote was one of my personal faves. I was the only one who knew the authors, and maybe that’s how I KNEW the title was a pun.
❤ It sounds like you saved my dignity.
Many congratulations on two winning entries, Chel.
Thank you, Hugh!
Two times a winner! Congratulations, Chel. We were surprised to learn that two of the entries were by the same author. Stylistically each was distinct (and distinguished). Well done!
Aw, thanks, Charli! I’m trying to branch out.
Hehehe, I’m proud of myself for not spilling the beans to the judges early.
Huge congratulations, Chel, delighted for you, a fantastic achievement!
❤ Thank you, Sherri!
Very welcome, richly deserved, Chel! <3
[…] Reblogged from The Carrot Ranch […]
Wonderful entries thank you for sharing them and congratulations to the winners, Norah, great on first prize! Well deserved!
Thank you, Susan. I’m over the moon.
It was a great rodeo, indeed. You can read all the entries on the rodeo page – they’re all great!
Congratulations to all the winners!
Thank you, Ritu. 🙂
Such an honour to judge this competition and so pleased for the winners. I hope everyone enjoys their stories / poems as much as we do.
It is an amazingly diverse collection of stories.
I feel like an absolute winner for having gotten to read all of them myself. I really enjoyed watching judges pick and choose while I was in the back with all the little secrets.
Such power! You are a winner for organising this.
Haha, I actually *do* feel like a winner, so I don’t know if I can be both humble and honest at the same time in response!
Very well done everyone. X
A wonderful tribute for a wonderful lady!
Yes! A true inspiration!
Congratulations to all the winners! Some excellent writing here. I´m so glad we were all able to help Sue and her family, and that she is still here to see the results. So proud to be part of this community. Sending love to all. xo
The community really stepped up – everyone did a fantastic job, and Sue is a fine lady.
Congrats to all the winners. Such amazing stories and poetry. So glad this made a difference.
Me too! I had faith in the ranchers. I think everyone here is so cool. 🙂
There’s some great storytelling here, and beautiful use of the words we all love. It’s a wonderful thing you’ve done between you and I’m indebted for the privilege of taking part and the journey it’s taken me on with lovely Sue. 🙂 🙂
Restlessjo, you’ve done a lot! I was privileged to read your entry,and I see you shared the post. It’s a we, not a me! =D
Thanks so much for that 🙂 🙂
Congrats to everyone 🙂
Worthy winners
I agree! I was just the judge who anonymized it. As I read them all, I thought to myself, “Whoo boy, I’m glad I don’t have to actually choose!”
Bliss bombs, especially to Chel and Norah, and well done to all for doing your best for Sue.
I love the term “bliss bombs” and will now have to steal it.
In the interests of full disclosure, you may end up being charged with receiving stolen goods. 🙂 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lolly_Gobble_Bliss_Bombs
Lol – I think that looks hilarious.
Still thieving it.
Congratulations to all the winners, each with extraordinary submissions. Bravo!
A big thank you to everyone who organised, helped and participated in this wonderful competition in honour of a wonderful lady who captured my heart with her writing and all the support she has given to so many writers, authors and bloggers over the years I have known her.
Congratulations to all the winners and the authors of the entries picked by the judges’.
Thanks for all your help, Hugh! You gave me confidence back at the beginning. It’s much appreciated.
Congratulations to everyone! Fantastic response.
[…] can find all the entrants and winners here Congratulations and well done […]
I love each winning story/poem, and in the end, feel that we are ALL winners. We all “know” Sue thanks to the power of the blogosphere, and we all participated out of a love of writing, and of Sue. Excellent job to Carrot Ranch for carrying this forth.
This is one of those times that I *genuinely* felt like everyone was a winner. Not only were the entries of excellent quality, each one was a special addition to the joy of the Rodeo. The rodeo wouldn’t have been the same without “Destiny”!
This was such a special contest. And I love the way we writers support each other!!
Everyone who participated was a winner with love as the grand prize.
Amazing entries and winners too! So glad that CR and all who entered have been able to lift more than just Sue’s spirits!!
Thanks to the Judges, the winners and the participants!!
Kudos to Chel and Norah! I hope that all of the entries can be made available to Sue and her family 🙂
She does – and so can you! They’re posted here: https://carrotranch.com/rodeo-contests/sue-vincent-rodeo-classic/
Perhaps I didn’t look close enough yesterday…
Thanks.
Congratulations to all, and particular Norah and Chel!
They’re all… MAGICAL!
Agreed! There is something about Sue and her photos that brings out that magic in everyone’s writing. Just happy she could “attend” the “awards ceremony”.
lol, I had totally forgotten that is what I named my entry until I started reading through them all. “Oh, so that’s what H.R.R. meant!” thanks!
Lololol – I was wondering if you or others I’d done that to would catch it.
If they are like me, most likely not. But, if they are like me and go to read all of the entries and not just the winners, they’ll most likely break into the same silly grin I have at your bit of cleverness 🙂
Well done everyone and a special word of thanks to the organisers and judges.
What shines through most of all is the inspiration of our precious Sue. 💚
Thanks for stopping by! I’m really glad this celebration turned out well an that we could all pitch in.
Thank YOU!
Sue is so special; just wish we could work a miracle. 💚
You never know – perhaps we did work a miracle, in some little way. 🙂
Thank you H. and Charli for letting me play behind the curtain as a peer reader. It was an education and fun besides. The entries were indeed wonderful.
Congratulations to Norah, Chel, Colleen, Willow, and Chengir.
Blessings to Sue Vincent. I’m glad this event showed your family what an impact you have made world-wide.
Thank you, Sue, for judging! I enjoyed reading your thoughts. 🙂
Thank you for your part, Sue. This was a team effort and H made a great leader!
Haha, I was more just like a corgi. Nip at heels until people go in the right direction, lol.
Next level: BORDER COLLIE.
Reblogged this on Sue Spitulnik.
Congratulations to the winners! (A great help to Sue. So, really, there are four winners in this rodeo.) ❤
Definitely, Sarah!
Oh my goodness. Fabulous poetry and prose. How beautiful. Many congrats to the writers and poets, especially to placers Nora and Chelsea. And a giant thank you to Carrot Ranch, the organizers of this event, and the judges. I’m so glad that Sue received some financial help and, of course, tons of love. <3
Thank you for participating, too! You’re part of what made the rodeo a success, too.
It was so fun. My total pleasure.
Reblogged this on Pattys World and commented:
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED AND ESPECIALLY TO THE WINNERS!
BUT MOST OF ALL, CONGRATULATIONS TO SUE!!!!!!
WE LOVE YOU!
🙌😘😍
Reblogged this on Chel Owens and commented:
Well! The fundraising writing contest in honor of Sue Vincent has wrapped up. I hope you all entered. Two of the winners quite surprised me!
And, there’s still time to pop over and kick a few funds her way to help defray her and her son’s costs if you haven’t already. ❤
Congratulations, Chelsea! I’m so impressed with your two pieces! <3
Aw, thanks, Miriam! 🙂
You’re welcome, Chelsea! 😊
Congratulations all! Norah Colvin, your story was amazing and brought tears to my eyes. Chel Owens, you wrote some heartfelt poetry! You have such a natural sense of rhythm and rhyme. Willow Willers, your story gave me goosebumps. What an awakening to realize that the grass is not always greener on the other side. Chengir, I loved how you wrote from the perspective of the vultures. A wonderful surprise. The best part of this entire rodeo was being part of a wonderful group of giving writers and poets. I’m humbled. Sue Vincent and her talent, love, and support, is a gift to us all. <3
Thank you for your contribution, Colleen! Your help leading the charge into syllabic poetry during the last Rodeo was key to getting such a great variety in this one (not to mention that you obviously had a top entry!!!).
I was thrilled to see all the poems submitted! Made my day. 😍❤️
Colleen, what a gift your 99-syllable ennead has been! Thank you!
You’re most welcome. I’m thrilled with all the poetry that was written. Creativity exploded at Carrot Ranch! 😍
Reblogged this on Colleen M. Chesebro and commented:
Carrot Ranch has announced the WINNERS of the Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic! Congratulations to all! <3
Congratulations to all the winners and an amazing contest… A wonderful tribute to Sue and all that she brings to this community.. She is an inspiration..♥
She is indeed!
[…] The Winners are announced at carrotranch.com […]
congrats to the entire team, great work, well done!
Thank you!
you are most welcome!
Congratulations to all. All wonderful entries. 🙂
They were! Thank you for your contributions, too – they’re in the collection page!
Thank you. That’s awesome lively taking part and in some small way helping Sue. <3
Congratulations to all the participants. I love all the ones feature, and it’s great to know how much it means to Sue. Thanks for sharing this great initiative. ♥
I’m glad everyone had a way to participate. Thank you for stopping by, and I’m glad you liked our top picks!
Congrats to all the winners, but more than that, to Sue for being the winner of so much love and affection!
I nominate Sue to be the winner, too! 🙂
Congratulations to the winners. Well done! Have a beautiful week! Michael
You have a great week too!
Thank you!
Congratulations to all the winners! Fantastic writing!
Congratulations to all the winners and I love all the love and support for Sue!
Aww, you’re so sweet, Miriam! Thank you for your entry, as well. You’re always so good at dialogue.
Yeah, HRR, dialogue is one way to show the story in flash fiction since there’s not too much room to describe the scenes. Thank you for doing all the work!
Fabulous stories and well deserved winners! Congratulations all. 🙂
This was an amazing Rodeo. Thank you to H. and to Charli for making it happen for Sue Vincent. Thank you to all who took part in this event in what ever way you did. Congratulations to all who stepped up and entered the arena and hats off to the winners in what I know to have been a tough competition, with so many great entries.
Thank you for riding for the team This was a community effort and amazing to see unfold.
Thank you, D, for judging! You were a great help to me. I enjoyed working with you. 🙂
Great work and congratulations to the winners… a wonderful cause, well done!
Thank you! I am glad Sue and her family had a good time with it.
Congrats to all the winners. It was such a pleasant treat reading these stories and poems.
All such wonderful pieces!
It is an exceptionally rare event in which I completely read a page online that has this much content. Add to that, a page with different writers, styles, and story plots. Surely there would have been one creative piece that I bunny hoped over; but I didn’t. In fact, I enjoyed reading each and every judge bio as much as I did the stories and poems.
Thank you everyone for giving me something to engage in that felt like a great experience and positive use of my time.
Thanks for reading, Ana!
As the craziest judge with the craziest bio, lol!
Thanks for reading, and I’m glad you enjoyed! It means our judges made good picks.
You can say that again. 😀
These are all marvelous pieces. Congratulations to Norah and Chel. The Judges pieces are also extraordinary.
😉 You’re darn tootin’!
Thanks for reading! You’re an inspiration yourself, Robbie!
Thank you, H.
Congratulations to Norah Colvin with her winning entry, and to Chelsea Owens who got second and third place, to those mentioned by the judges plus Everyone who entered.
Well done to everyone at the Carrot Ranch who organised the wonderful event. 💜
Bravo to everyone! Your poem was definitely one of the top entries. I remember it going through each judging phase! 🙂
Yes indeed Norah entry was indeed a winner!
Are you talking to Norah? I am willow. I did not write a poem I wrote I did a story which was Geoff’s Pick . Norah’s poem is brilliant I agree. 💜
I think being Geoff’s pick is one of the winners!
Thank you 💜
[…] You can find all the entries, winners and judges picks hereCongratulations and well done everybody. […]
all of these are so well done; congrats to Norah!
[…] the folk over at the Carrot Ranch Literary Community announced the winners of the Carrot Ranch Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic! Please click on the link to go see the announcement and read the top three entries plus the three […]
Such great stories, all of you. I think Norah’s is my favorite of the ones I read, but all are so clever. I love that you all are so capable in using the element of surprise. Closure is everything. Charli, thanks for doing this. It brings together a virtual community to life to help and support a real person. If any of you have written a review of Sue’s books, could you send me the link? Especially if you have read one of her books since the Sue Vincent Rodeo Classic. My blog address is https://tchistorygal.net.
H organized the team and took over the Ranch. We all acted as a community does and provided recognition and celebration and, yes, even closure. Thanks for sharing the link.
My pleasure. What a joy to be involved even tangentially. 🙂 How are you holding up?
Just FYI, Sue has been posting/reblogging a lot of recent reviews. I did just an Amazon/Goodreads review rather than a blog review at this moment, and I think Sue is even mentioning some of those. Just thought I’d say she’s got a collection, if you’re interested.
Oh, thanks for letting me know. I was trying to think of something I could do.
No problem – good luck!
🙂
[…] Charli Mills Wanda-Lust wasn’t corny at all with a piglet involved. Fun writing, D. Your mind is full of characters and cleverness. […]
Congrats to all the wonderful winners. A wonderful Rodeo it has been. 🙂 xx
Thanks! I thought it was fun. Also gave a feel-good element!
It was fabulous! 🙂
Congratulations, Norah, to all of the writers, the winners and to you. I have briefly met Sue through all of you, the bloggers/writers and I can see how Sue is well-loved and she has made a positive impact on everyone.❤️ Norah, your gift with words and stories is evident again and I was immediately drawn in.❤️
Norah’s story was, indeed, great! Having a beginning, middle, and end all in 99 words is hard! 🙂
What a fantastic win by Norah, and massive congratulations also to Chel for 2nd and 3rd, wow, and special mentions for Colleen, Willow and Chengir. I was truly honoured to help with the judging, struck deeply by the theme of home and family. And of course, such a moving and powerful testimony to Sue and how far and wide shines her light <3
Thank you for judging, Sherri! It was wonderful to have you around. I was hoping that it was going to be a blast for the judges to see who wrote what!
My pleasure, and thank YOU, H, for all you did to pull off this fantastic feat! I loved being a part of it, thank you so much for reaching out to me…and absolutely, it truly was a blast to find out!!
So great These are wonderful
Laugh Until It annoys someone. They’ll thank you
[…] and delighted for my entry to be awarded first prize. You can read about other place getters here and all entries […]