Stream of Consciousness Contest winners
There weren’t as many entrants as I had hoped there would be in the recent Stream of Consciousness competition, especially considering the fact that this contest was not only free but was put on for a group in which one of the goals was to enter competitions, as well as to get published by a publisher (not just self published). But then, perhaps John was right in saying that cold hard cash as reward would get the juices flowing a bit more. Then again, lack of firm confidence in ones writing is something that can hinder many in putting their work out on the table.
At any rate, what did come through my inbox was a wonderful variety of voices and subjects and streams. The group accelerated in their productivity of stream of consciousness pieces and perhaps came away with a better understanding of their inner workings as writers. The pieces produced overall in this group were wonderful as a whole, despite the scrutiny some pieces became subject to. No matter, there will always be someone who loves what you write just as there will always be someone who hates it, despite how poorly or well known you are.
Judging for this competition came from percentages. 50% of the vote came from members of the group who voted anonymously on all entries which were posted anonymously. The other 50% came from a split between myself, and other non affiliated writers and editors.
The winners of the contest are as follows:
In first place, Tom Rubenoff’s “Perfect Illusion” for his use of the abstract, wherein, once pieced together, brought the inner workings of the mind to fruition. “Perfect Illusion” was well layered. This piece allows the reader, when open and relaxed of mind, to get lost in that somewhere of the mind in general, to that somewhere of ones own mind. “Perfect Illusion” allowed for interpretation while still coveting mystery.
In second place, is quite a different sort of stream of consciousness piece. AIDY’s “Et Cetera” offers a different kind of dialogue, the sort that comes when one is acting on one level and thinking on another. The sort that happens in the sleepiness of morning or during routine daily actions whereupon the subject makes decisions based on pre-knows he or she is not necessarily consciously aware of.
There were originally to be only two winners in this competition, however there is a third that sticks with me that is a beautiful depiction of yet another sort of stream of consciousness, the sort that occurs when one is alone with one’s thoughts, pondering memories and where one may fit into them, why one feels or is the way that they are. This is perhaps the most prevalent and best understood type of stream of conscious in today’s mainstream written and non written media. This piece is called “Detached” by Nancy Hinchliff and with her permission I’d like to publish this piece as well.
A special thank you to all those who entered their pieces. They were all a joy to read and each piece brought something wonderful to the table.
Winning pieces will be posted on Monday, March 8, 2010 through March 10, 2010.