Over the Summer Semester, EXMSS ran a Fifty for 50 short short story competition to celebrate Massey University’s 50 years of extramural study in 2010. EXMSS events coordinator Thérèse McCrea described the response as very good with over 40 entries received, despite the summer holidays. The three winners each receive a 12-month subscription with Advantage Computers’ ‘Worry Free Online Backup’ service. The first placegetter also receives a gift pack to the value of $200. Second and third placegetters receive book vouchers to the value of $80 and $50 respectively.
The entries were judged by Dr Thom Conroy, lecturer in Creative Writing in the School of English and Media Studies at Massey University. Dr Conroy is the 2009 People’s Choice Winner of the Sunday Star Times Short Story Competition and a recipient of the Katherine Anne Porter Prize in Fiction. His short stories have appeared in Sport, Landfall, Kenyon Review Online, and the New England Review.
Congratulations to the following three winning entries (with Dr Conroy’s comments).
The Writer’s Confession
by Rean Fadyl
My new story and me sat on the back step sharing a cigarette. As we watched the sun dip down behind the Waitakeres, my story explained the origins of her name. Her voice, the smoke, the fading light were just perfect. But I felt guilty because I knew her end.
~ This story’s blend of lyricism and quiet metafiction made for a gentle yet startling read. The Writer’s Confession took on genuine emotion in a smart way without overreaching: a perfect balance.
JETLAG
by Marama Salsano
On my first day in Scotland, I prepared a hangi; peeled spuds, chopped cabbage, and text Mum for her steamed pudding recipe. Down by the Loch, I lounged alongside other Kiwi meatworkers, NZ-Scottish Association members, and the curious public. Together, we drank beer, ate, and sang Whakaaria Mai to bagpipes.
~ JETLAG impressed me as a story that presented a unique and precisely rendered moment of cross-cultural harmony.
The Big Day
by Wendi Langman
Exam day. I had completed the preparation exercises, but nothing could have prepared me for this. Approaching the final phase I urged myself “just one last push!” Moments later the midwife claimed triumphantly “It’s a girl!” I smiled. A beautiful baby and an aegrotat pass. All in a day’s work.
~ This story’s surprising mix of two very different sorts of triumph captured something essential about the challenges and the rewards of extramural student life.
Other entries (in no particular order)
Tiger’s ‘transgressions’, MJ passing away,
Hanover exec’s trying to keep investors at bay.
The G20 riots, President Obama what a person,
Bain found not guilty, the financial crisis worsened.
2009, what a jam packed and interesting year,
we look forward to 2010 with a mixture of excitement, trepidation and fear.
- Ryan D’Ath
A romp in the sand would be very nice if only I knew what a romp was.
A roll in the grass I think I’ll pass.
But a wallow in the mud, squishy, ishy, gooey mud would be awesome, if you would come join me.
Hmmmmmmmmmm that is so good.
- Chris Bassett
This Place
There’s a lot of love in this place. And sadness. Farewells and reunions ensue like the baggage collection; a continuous conveyer belt of emotions. It’s a cycle. Someone arrives, but someone else loses something. A loss felt when the heavy rumble leaves the tarmac, ascending into the strong Wellington northerly.
- Laura Barker
There once was a story of fifty words,
some would say pointless, some say absurd.
Its storyline is lacking, like a solo without backing.
But less can be more, of that we can be sure.
Just like this story, it reeks of glory.
Is anyone keen for an ice cream?
- Aaron Doody
The deadline loomed. 700 words, 2 days, 4 more readings, not to mention the kid’s dinner, the work report, husband’s work party, laundry, must get that parcel in the post. She couldn’t do it. She knew she couldn’t. Who’s that – the mailman? An A+ in accounting. Actually she could.
- Liz Stockley
Interpretation
” I wore mask that night. She didn’t need to see my face. I didn’t even want to know her name. This was just business. Neither was us planned it, it just happened. It was beautiful. When the sun rose, I was gone. I left only a memory and a scar.”
- Joe
“Don’t, please don’t do it. Whack, I told you not to talk. You have done it again. I told you if you hadn’t opened your mouth in the first place I wouldn’t have had to hit it. Don’t look at me like that; you know you made me do it!”
- Daryl Pollock
Life is full of amazing things, if you just take the time to look.
From an early morning sunrise, to the flowers blooming in spring.
Most people tend to rush through life without a second glance.
Slow down, make the time and life will be all the more enjoyable. Relax!
- Lynnley Kirk
A loud old grunter. Liked to let me know he was working. Don’t know how old but he’d been around. Whirling, bashing, thumping spinning but cleaning none the less. Fourteen beeps he’d cry, I’d scoop his innards. Rinsing trouble, men bounced him away. I hope he was an organ donor.
- Helen O’Rourke
Promise of Dawn
Swaddled in the expectant hush of the desert she feels the day takes its first breath.
The sky, newly baptised by the sun, is now turning a breathtaking indigo stretching like a promise to the horizon.
The dew begins to evaporate.
There’s only the girl, the sand, the endless sky.
- Rebecca Manners
Perspective
This country, so hot, I stink of vomit and pee – the women’s, she had another fit.
So damn hot, stinking hut, dark nights….
“Look up!” she said “You only have 5-star hotels, I live in hotel of a thousand stars”.
She fits again.
I’m ashamed.This country…. so damn hot.
- Donna Morgan
Offerings to Barth
Story waited to be read. Like many others however, it would be over before it began.
Having spun a good/bad/mediocre or otherwise yarn.
Leaving behind a satisfied/mortified/____ reader.
Only to be forgotten quicker than the time taken to read it.
“I dunno why I bother” thought Story.
– By TJ Corrigan
‘Just 50 words’
Fifty words to go before the end of the story is complete,
racking my brains for things to say,
Oh shucks! what could possibly be said!
This is no small task,
even if just one paragraph.
A beginning and an end -
in my opinion that is too much to ask!
- Susanne
A tree falls.
As it falls, it watches the others lying withered and grey around the forest.
As it falls, it thinks about life.
Did it do anything worthwhile?
Will anyone remember it?
Life begins to feel empty and pointless to the tree, but it’s too late.
A person dies.
- Paul McGlade
Jane’s Addiction
Extramural papers remind me of Jane, a former WebCt addict. She’d visit WebCt several times every day and post hundreds of messages there. The flashy web features made her ineffably ‘high’. Her ‘dependency’ drove her bonkers. Fortunately, her ‘supply’ was terminated after she graduated. Unfortunately, she found a substitute…. FACEBOOK!
- Murtaza Telya
A Student’s Hell
There was an older student from Te Kuiti
where the weather can be a bit shitty.
She wished she could skite,
that she knew how to write,
but in her Tutor’s communicated opinion,
the truth should cause great angst and much self pity.
That poor older student from Te Kuiti.
- Jacqui Hahn
The Hunter
Golden eyes gleam in the half-light; whiskers slide between sun-dappled shadows. The hunter is less than shadow, fluid as water, unseen as she stalks… Suddenly, her steely sinew tautens. She explodes forwards, weapons unsheathed. The prey crumples beneath her. The hunt is over.
The paper bag never stood a chance.
- Morgan Byrt
Adrenaline surges through my body. I unsheathed my Glock and held it at the high ready as I was drilled to do.
Wooden floor creaks beneath my boots, I froze, my heart pounds furiously like a thousand drums, my senses heightened, alert.
I am on the hunt. 0800 NEW COPS.
- Charles Ip
Driving home from work called husband for a chat
On reaching his voicemail hung up, just like that!
Began to sing privately in the car
Passing many minutes and travelling very far!
Arrived back at home, husband rolling on the floor
Replayed voicemail – my singing was private no more!
- Emma Antony
WICKLOFF’S RETURN
“Its, Wickloff!”
“Can’t be, he’s locked up, stabbed his mother. Twice. Blood everywhere”
“It is him. New school uniform, shorts with sharp creases. He’s sitting at the front, next to Brainy Redpuddle.”
“Mr Blade can keep an eye on him there”
“He won’t last, the parents will sharpen their knives.”
- Sue Bell
Fiji’s F Facts
From aFar Foreign Forces Foresee Fiji’s Facilitator For Façade.
From Fijians’ inFerence Frank’s Fortitude Frees Fiji From Former Fraudster’s Furuncle.
Folk Feel Flummoxed From Fastidious Foreign Federations’ Flagrancy For Frank.
Furthermore Find Fruition, Fresh Flourishment Flows, From Frank’s Facilitating Faction.
Fiji Fares Fantabulous For Foraying Families: Fun, Fishing, Fine Food.
- Nicholas Perham
The loveliest spot in the world is 58km North of Coromandel Town at a place called Port Jackson. Outside the tent, we enjoy sandy views of a bay never ending. I open my summer school book; study at the loveliest spot in the world doesn’t seem like study at all.
- Anne-Marie Shepherd
Priorities
Adam set the toaster. He meant to call Serena last night to say it was finished. Momentarily
lost, he managed to open the door following the knock.
“I’m sorry. You never keep your word.”
Confused, Adam watched Serena leave as he retrieved his toast.
He resolved to call her tomorrow.
- Kahurangi Tapsell
Classes and study for 09 are past, and summers upon us, a holiday at last! A time of relaxing and playing is nearing, those summer school papers look drab, unappealing. But life’s not that easy, I wish it were so, lets rest play and study, it’s worth it you know.
- Steve McFarlane
The End of the World
The end of world is nigh said the evangelist. Life is a temporary thing sang Elton John. It’s life Jim but not as we know it said Mr Spock. Everybody thought they knew the truth about life, so nobody listened and nobody was prepared when it came to an end.
- Marty Rowe,
An Obvious Triviality
Eventually, my bedevilled hands besought, “Enough?” Proffering my flaking palms to a co-worker for inspection, I voiced my epithelium’s concern regarding the chemical’s sadistic penchant for exfoliation. Why worry? My workmate astutely reasoned that the label’s depiction of a disintegrating hand surely indicated the substance was “only corrosive to hands.”
- Rupert Crispin-Morrall
Stephan & The Busker
“My friend here plays the fife.”
Kilkenny Busker offers Stephan his.
“No I don’t,” he protests, hands up, stepping back.
Dreadlocked Busker raises his fist, stalks forward.
Stephan ruffles, terrified kiwi.
Gypsy Busker winks at me.
We collapse, a hysterical sight, more comfortably lodged in the exaggeration of a retelling.
- Lesley Spriggs
Richard awoke to the sound of a harassing vacuum cleaner early one Tuesday afternoon. He pushed some caffeine into his face and staggered towards his emails. Half awake he read of a writing competition that favoured brevity. What could he write about? An idea formed; “Richard awoke to the sound…”
- Richard Hackshaw
Dangers of the deep
Crash, bang, swish of the waves as they roll onto the beach, inviting me into the murky water. Unaware of the dangers that lie beneath, I swim into the calmer water beyond. Fins cut though the water around me like knifes through paper. Fear engulfs my body and then blackness.
- Tania Willis
Her pulse raced. There was someone or something in the bushes at the back. Should she run back and get Dad, scream or stay hidden? Another noise came from the bush. She was frozen, not moving. She started to see a dark shape appear. Relief seeped as only hedgehogs emerged.
Tutor and Friend of G.U.I.L.T.
- Jennifer Finlayson
Scanned the death notices, morbidly safe coz I don’t know anyone. There were lots of oldies, and Leslie 55. Dump man, even having won Lotto. Actually he was a freezing worker but couldn’t read the new millenium digital gizmos. Had to go - redundant. Proudly spelt ‘table’ for me … I cried.
- Patricia Graham
GOT IT!
If the cat, sitting on the wall, had seen the car crash, the driver sprint away, heard sirens and voices shouting ‘that way’, noticed the motorcyclist swerve to miss the runner, skid and screech across the road, then it may not have seen that quiver in the grass and pounced.
- Allyson Caseley
The End
“Your daughter is alive”
“To harness your skills it was only necessary for you to desire revenge”. I looked from the messenger and toward the horizon, oh my god. They had underestimated the power of my hatred against life.
A glow appeared; the last thing any of us would see.
- Sara Lake
Student Life
extramural study? meaningful work
enrolment second thoughts
confirmation commitment
study guides what have I done!
assignment dates withdrawal dates
reading lists great
assignment due extension required
next week work couriered
webCT friendly banter
contact course faces
work returned excitement
feedback progress
assignment two better results
exam nerves
results passed
yes!
- Paul Doesburg
The Fleeing Madonna
You pushed a sleeping baby in a buggy through the busy street. It was raining and everyone could see your tears. For a moment, I thought you were somebody else, and almost spoke; remember? You gave a backward glance; then continued on: your broken sandal slapping soft against the pavement.
- Elizabeth Wilson
How to heal the world?
Bring problems on top
Completely uncovered
Truth must be discovered
Illuminati
Degrading society
Creating disease
To make Earth cease
Promoting drugs
To kill us
Corrupt education
Causing frustration
Leaders brainwashing us
“They don’t care about us”
This Is It!
Man in the mirror- change it!
- Natalia Roschina
EXMSS would like to thank everyone who submitted entries into our fifty word short-story writing competition. The response has been fantastic.
